Muhsin Muhammad
{{Short description|American football player (born 1973)}}
{{distinguish|Moose Muhammad III}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Muhsin Muhammad
| image = Muhsin Muhammad (3812898326) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Muhammad in 2009
| number = 87
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|5|5|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 215
| high_school = Waverly Senior {{nowrap|(Lansing, Michigan)}}
| college = Michigan State (1991–1995)
| draftyear = 1996
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 43
| pastteams = * Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|1996|2004}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2005|2007}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2008|2009}})
| highlights = * First-team All-Pro (2004)
- 2× Pro Bowl (1999, 2004)
- NFL receiving yards leader (2004)
- NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2004)
- NFL receptions co-leader (2000)
- Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor
;NFL record
- Longest touchdown reception in a Super Bowl: 85 yards (XXXVIII, from Jake Delhomme)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 860
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 11,438
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 62
| pfr = MuhaMu00
}}
Muhsin Muhammad II ({{IPAc-en|m|uː|ˈ|s|ɪ|n}}; born Melvin Darnell Campbell Jr. May 5, 1973) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Muhammad played college football for Michigan State. He was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. Muhammad was a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Panthers in 1999 and 2004 and also made the 2004 All-Pro Team. He was known for his nickname, "Moose", and for his signature mustache, and touchdown dance, which was featured in one of the opening cameos of Madden NFL 2006.
Early life
Muhammad was born in Lansing, Michigan. His birth name was Melvin Campbell, but it was changed after his father converted to Islam when Muhammad was four years old.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=K.C. |date=September 18, 2005 |title=He has turned into a model citizen |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-09-18-0509180351-story.html |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Chicago Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Procter |first=Scott |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Muhsin Muhammad: From All-Pro WR to successful businessman |url=https://bvmsports.com/2022/10/19/muhsin-muhammad-from-all-pro-wr-to-successful-businessman/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=BVM Sports |language=en-US}}
Muhammad was mainly a soccer player in elementary school, but switched to football when he entered 8th grade.{{Cite web |last=Muhammad |first=Muhsin |title=Mushin Muhammad Bio |url=http://www.moose87.com/muhsin-muhammad-bio.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005171216/http://www.moose87.com/muhsin-muhammad-bio.aspx |archive-date=October 5, 2008 |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=moose87.com}} He attended Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan, where he earned three letters in football and an additional two in basketball and track. Muhammad was also an all-state linebacker and running back at Waverly.ChicagoBears.com, [http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player.asp?player_id=62 Roster – 87 Muhsin Muhammad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124234252/http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player.asp?player_id=62 |date=January 24, 2007 }} Retrieved on January 19, 2007
After graduating from high school, Muhammad played at Michigan State University. He enjoyed a breakout season in 1995 under coach Nick Saban with 50 catches for 867 yards and 3 touchdowns while playing with quarterback Tony Banks and wide receiver Derrick Mason.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 3/4
| weight = 217
| dash = 4.53
| ten split = 1.54
| twenty split = 2.66
| shuttle = 4.16
| vertical = 33.0
| arm span = 33 3/8
| hand span = 10 3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=23345 |title=Muhsin Muhammad, Combine Results, WR – Michigan State |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=June 1, 2023}}
}}
=Carolina Panthers (1996–2004)=
The Carolina Panthers selected Muhammad in the 1996 NFL draft's second round with the 43rd overall pick. He was the ninth wide receiver selected.{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/draft.htm |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Muhammad made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 1996 season against the New Orleans Saints. He had six receptions for 96 yards in the 22–20 victory.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - September 8th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609080nor.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He recorded his first NFL touchdown on a 54-yard reception in Week 7 against the St. Louis Rams.{{Cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers - October 13th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610130car.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished his rookie season with 25 receptions for 407 yards and one touchdown in nine games.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1996 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1996/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the 1997 season, Muhammed recorded 27 receptions for 317 yards in 13 games.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1997 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1997/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 1998 season, Muhammad led the Panthers with 68 receptions, six touchdowns, and 941 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=1998 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/1998.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1998 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1998/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
Muhammad enjoyed an outstanding season in 1999 under new head coach George Seifert and his 96 receptions, eight touchdowns, and 1,253 receiving yards led to his first Pro Bowl selection.{{Cite web |title=1999 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/probowl.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His 102 receptions during the 2000 season tied for the NFL lead. Muhammad averaged over 1,000 yards each season from 1998 to 2000.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1999 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1999/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/2000/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
Muhammad was injured for much of the 2001 NFL season, but he returned to form and eventually played a leading role in the Carolina Panthers' run to Super Bowl XXXVIII during 2003 NFL season. Though the Panthers lost to the AFC Champion New England Patriots 29–32, Muhammad recorded the longest touchdown reception (85 yards) in Super Bowl history.{{Cite web |last=Rizzuti |first=Anthony |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Panthers will induct Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad into Hall of Honor |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/10/panthers-inducting-julius-peppers-muhsin-muhammad-2023-hall-of-honor/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Panthers Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Scott |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Carolina Panthers select 2 more former stars to join team's Hall of Honor |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article277162903.html |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Charlotte Observer}}
Muhammad's play during the 2004 season, where he led the NFL with a career-high 1,405 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, earned him his second Pro Bowl invitation.{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/receiving.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/probowl.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He earned first team All-Pro honors.{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/allpro.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} By the end of the season, Muhammad held all of the Panthers' receiving records, including catches (578), receiving yards (7,751), 100-yard games (26), and the top three single-game yardage totals (192, 189, 179). In addition, he tied Wesley Walls at 44 touchdown receptions.
Muhammad, who was due a $10 million roster bonus, and the Panthers could not agree on a contract after the 2004 season, and the team released him in February 2005.{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2005 |title=Panthers release veteran receiver |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2005/02/25/Panthers-release-veteran-receiver/37481109378698/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}} Hours after his release, the Chicago Bears offered the 32-year-old a six-year contract, and Muhammad left Charlotte for Chicago.{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |date=February 26, 2005 |title=Muhammad's deal can be worth as much as $30M |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2000387 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
Muhammad's first stint with the Panthers was plagued with several negative experiences. He was the target of a racial slur from his quarterback, Kerry Collins; testified at murder hearings for Rae Carruth and Deidra Lane (wife of Fred Lane); and was arrested in 2003 on misdemeanor drug and weapon offenses.{{Cite news |date=August 25, 1997 |title=Panthers Say Collins Contrite |language=en-US |pages=3 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/25/sports/panthers-say-collins-contrite.html |access-date=June 26, 2023 |issn=}}{{Cite news |last=Nowell |first=Paul |date=December 13, 2000 |title=Muhammad defends Carruth |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/muhammad-defends-carruth-1.246416}}{{Cite news |last=Lipsman |first=Benjy |date=June 14, 2005 |title=Dangerous |work=Chicagoist |url=https://chicagoist.com/2005/06/14/dangerous.php |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729020546/http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2005/06/14/dangerous.php |archive-date=July 29, 2012}}
=Chicago Bears (2005–2007)=
Muhammad became one of the Bears' receiving threats during his first year with the team. He was also credited with encouraging a stronger work ethic within the team's receiving corps and advising young wide receivers such as Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, and Rashied Davis.
Despite failing to catch several poorly thrown passes from rookie quarterback Kyle Orton, Muhammad held himself responsible and promised reporters he would improve his performance. However, Muhammad was later seen complaining to Orton during a Sunday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons. After Muhammad's criticism, coach Lovie Smith benched Orton in favor of a fully recovered Rex Grossman.{{Cite news |last=Eguchi |first=Julie |date=April 3, 2006 |title=Don't write off Muhammad just yet |work=RealFootball365 |url=http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/04/muhsin-muhammad-bears040306.html |url-status=usurped |access-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106050128/http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/04/muhsin-muhammad-bears040306.html |archive-date=January 6, 2007}}
Muhammad's statistics improved with Rex Grossman at quarterback in the 2006 season. He had his first one hundred-yard day with the Bears in their season opener against the Green Bay Packers, and a second against the Minnesota Vikings during Week 3.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - September 10th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200609100gnb.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings - September 24th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200609240min.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} However, he saw less action as Grossman began to play inconsistently after the season's midway point. Muhammad defended Grossman from criticism and often supported him at press conferences.ChicagoBears.com, [http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2793 Grossman displays poise and confidence in win] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215003712/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2793 |date=December 15, 2006 }} Retrieved on January 19, 2007 Muhammad finished the regular season as the team's leading wide receiver for the second consecutive time.{{Cite web |title=2006 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2006.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
Muhammad was the starting receiver for the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, making a touchdown reception in the first half of a 29–17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLI – Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears – February 4th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200702040chi.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Muhammad became the third player in NFL history to score a Super Bowl touchdown with two different teams, joining Jerry Rice and Ricky Proehl.{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2007 |title=Bears notebook: One they'd like to forget |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-notebook-one-they-d-like-to-forget-09000d5d80024bfe |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
Muhammad's age seemingly affected his endurance. Although he played all sixteen games in 2006, the Bears listed him as probable or questionable before many games.Chicago Bears.com, [http://www.chicagobears.com/team/injuries.asp Injury Report – Chicago Bears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119030143/http://www.chicagobears.com/team/injuries.asp |date=January 19, 2007 }} Retrieved on January 19, 2007 Before the 2006 season, he revealed he had played through the 2005 season with a broken hand.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad |url=http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&ID=1500 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104053018/http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&ID=1500 |archive-date=January 4, 2007 |access-date=January 19, 2007 |website=Fantasy Football {{!}} USA Today}}
Muhammad had a down year in 2007 with 40 receptions for 570 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/2007/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} The Bears released him on February 18, 2008.{{Cite news |date=February 19, 2008 |title=Bears release WR Muhammad; sign DE Brown to extension |work=NFL |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-release-wr-muhammad-sign-de-brown-to-extension-09000d5d806bde90}}
After leaving the Bears, Muhammad told Sports Illustrated Chicago is "where wide receivers go to die." The remark caught the attention of Darryl Drake, the team's wide receiver coach. While Drake stated he was unfazed by Muhammad's remark, he argued former Bears wide receivers Bernard Berrian, Justin Gage, and Bobby Wade developed in Chicago and enjoyed successful careers after leaving.{{Cite news |date=August 18, 2008 |title=Bears Team Report – Inside Slant |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmdmQ7BDZDkIsE9JxUn.lv1DubYF?slug=teamreports-2008-nfl-chi&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report |access-date=August 18, 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
=Carolina Panthers (second stint) (2008–2009)=
Just nine days after the Bears released him, Muhammad signed a two-year contract with his former team, the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=February 27, 2008 |title=Carr gone, Moose official |url=http://community.heraldonline.com/carr_gone_moose_official |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302031041/http://community.heraldonline.com/carr_gone_moose_official |archive-date=March 2, 2008 |website=The Buzz - HeraldOnline.com}} On September 14, while playing against the Bears, he became the 29th player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards.{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2008 |title=Let's All Please Welcome Muhsin to the 10,000 Yard Club, Naturally Against the Bears |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/fanho-lets-all-please-welcome-muhsin-to-the-10000-yard-club-naturally-against-the-bears/182445/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=NBC Chicago |language=en-US}} In Week 4, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had eight receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in the 24–9 victory.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons - November 23rd, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809280car.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} He finished the season with 65 receptions for 923 yards and five touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the 2009 season, Muhammad caught 53 passes for 581 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in 14 games and starts.{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} After 14 seasons in the NFL, he retired from professional football.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad announces retirement |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5271143 |access-date=August 29, 2017 |website=ESPN.com| date=June 10, 2010 }} Muhammad, along with defensive end Julius Peppers, was added to the Panthers' Hall of Honor on October 29, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad join the Hall of Honor |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/julius-peppers-muhsin-muhammad-join-the-hall-of-honor |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Panthers.com |language=en-US}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| colspan="2"| Legend |
|---|
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| Bold
| Career high |
| {{ref|PB|±}}
| Pro Bowler |
= Regular season =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 1996 || CAR
| 9 || 5 || 25 || 407 || 16.3 || 54 || 1 | ||||||
| 1997 || CAR
| 13 || 5 || 27 || 317 || 11.7 || 38 || 0 | ||||||
| 1998 || CAR
| 16 || 16 || 68 || 941 || 13.8 || 72 || 6 | ||||||
| 1999 || CAR{{ref|PB|±}}
| 15 || 15 || 96 || 1,253 || 13.1 || 60 || 8 | ||||||
| 2000 || CAR
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec"| 102 || 1,183 || 11.6 || 36 || 6 | ||||||
| 2001 || CAR
| 11 || 11 || 50 || 585 || 11.7 || 43 || 1 | ||||||
| 2002 || CAR
| 14 || 14 || 63 || 823 || 13.1 || 42 || 3 | ||||||
| 2003 || CAR
| 15 || 15 || 54 || 837 || 15.5 || 60 || 3 | ||||||
| 2004 || CAR{{ref|PB|±}}
| 16 || 16 || 93 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,405 || 15.1 || 51 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 16 | ||||||
| 2005 || CHI
| 15 || 15 || 64 || 750 || 11.7 || 33 || 4 | ||||||
| 2006 || CHI
| 16 || 16 || 60 || 863 || 14.4 || 40 || 5 | ||||||
| 2007 || CHI
| 16 || 16 || 40 || 570 || 14.3 || 44 || 3 | ||||||
| 2008 || CAR
| 16 || 15 || 65 || 923 || 14.2 || 60 || 5 | ||||||
| 2009 || CAR
| 14 || 13 || 53 || 581 || 11.0 || 27 || 1 | ||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00.htm Career] || 202 || 188 || 860 || 11,438 || 13.3 || 72 || 62 |
= Postseason =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 1996 || CAR
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||
| 2003 || CAR
| 4 || 4 || 15 || 352 || 23.5 || 85 || 2 | ||||||
| 2005 || CHI
| 1 || 1 || 3 || 58 || 19.3 || 24 || 0 | ||||||
| 2006 || CHI
| 3 || 3 || 7 || 93 || 13.3 || 22 || 1 | ||||||
| 2008 || CAR
| 1 || 1 || 5 || 55 || 11.1 || 20 || 0 | ||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/post/ Playoffs] || 10 || 9 || 30 || 558 || 18.6 || 85 || 3 |
= Carolina Panthers franchise records =
- Receiving touchdowns in a single season: 16 (2004){{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers Single-Season Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/single-season-receiving.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Yds/Rec: playoffs (20.35), playoff game (35 on 2004-02-01 NNWE), rookie season (16.28 in 1996){{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
- Receiving TDs: season (16 in 2004), game (3 on 1999-12-18 SFO and 2004-11-14 @SFO; with Steve Smith Sr. x2){{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
- Games with 2+ touchdowns scored: season (5 in 2004; with Steve Smith Sr. and DeAngelo Williams){{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
Broadcasting career
During the 2002 and 2003 off-season, Muhammad became a color commentator for NFL Europe on behalf of Fox television. He also was a post-season correspondent for NFL Network in 2004 and has worked as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2010 |title=Game 3: Illinois-Northern Illinois Game Notes |url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091410aac.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304121222/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091410aac.html |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |website=Illinois Fighting Illini Athletics}}
Muhammad won a Chicago Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs for his segment, Hanging with the Moose, which aired on Comcast SportsNet's "SportsNite" in 2005.{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Fred |date=November 21, 2006 |title=Mrs. McNabb moves forward |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-11-21-0611210469-story.html |access-date=December 26, 2020 |website=Chicago Tribune}}
Personal life
Despite his father's conversion to Islam, Muhammad is a Christian.{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Aaron |date=October 14, 2009 |title=Faith is a rock |url=https://hickoryrecord.com/news/faith-is-a-rock/article_c842b7d8-6051-556c-9780-d93b35f8f27f.html |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Hickory Daily Record |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Brad Biggs |date=May 20, 2005 |title=Muhammad all about giving as well as receiving |page=148 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}Moose87.com, [http://www.moose87.com/muhsin-muhammad-bio.aspx Chicago Bears Wide REceiver Muhsin Muhammad's Bio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204034322/http://www.moose87.com/muhsin-muhammad-bio.aspx |date=February 4, 2007 }} Retrieved on February 6, 2007 He is married to Christa Muhammad. The couple have four daughters and two sons: (oldest to youngest) Jordan, Chase, Journey, Muhsin III, Maddon, and Kennedy. The family adopted Maddon and Journey from Ethiopia in 2007.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=January 16, 2008 |title=Muhammad named a finalist for prestigious award |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4291 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120064125/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4291 |archive-date=January 20, 2008 |access-date=January 17, 2008 |website=Chicago Bears }} Jordan is a member of the women's basketball team at Princeton University. Chase is a member of the women's basketball team at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte. Muhsin III is a member of the Texas A&M football team. Maddon is a member of the UNC Charlotte Track and Field team.
He works as a managing director at the private equity firm Axum Capital Partners, a firm he co-founded.{{Cite web |url=http://www.axum-partners.com/muhsin-muhammad/ |title=Mushin Muhammad Axum |access-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805210526/http://www.axum-partners.com/muhsin-muhammad/ |url-status=dead }}
=Philanthropy=
Muhammad's charity foundation, "The M2 Foundation for Kids", is dedicated to improving the mental and physical development of children. He also supports the "Back to Nature" program which encourages children to spend more time with nature by taking them on hikes throughout the Great Smoky Mountains and nature preserves in Tennessee and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he raised funds and awareness for the group by helping organize Christmas toy drives and a special football camp. Muhammad is also a spokesperson for the Men For Change organization which helps raise money for impoverished women's shelters.
On February 28, 2007, Muhammad's high school alma mater gave him a special award for donating $50,000 worth of equipment to school's fitness center, which was renamed in his honor.{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2007 |title=Muhsin Muhammad II honored for his generous donation |url=http://www.waverly.k12.mi.us/news_508.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108221422/http://www.waverly.k12.mi.us/news_508.htm |archive-date=November 8, 2007 |website=Waverly Community Schools}}
The Carolina Panthers presented Muhammad with their "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award in 1999 for his charity and volunteer work.{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad join the Panthers Hall of Honor |url=https://www.live5news.com/2023/07/10/julius-peppers-muhsin-muhammad-join-panthers-hall-honor/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=live5news.com |language=en}}
References
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External links
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Category:African-American Christians
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:American commentators
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Michigan State Spartans football players
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Players of American football from Lansing, Michigan