Muhsin Muhammad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Muhsin Muhammad | |
|---|---|
 Muhsin Muhammad doing his signature touchdown dance against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. |
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| Date of birth | May 5, 1973 |
| Place of birth | Lansing, MI |
| Position(s) | WR |
| College | Michigan State |
| NFL Draft | 1996 / Round 2/ Pick 43 |
| Pro Bowls | 2000, 2005 |
| Records | Carolina Panthers Career Receptions (578) |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1996-2004 2005-Present |
Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears |
Muhsin Muhammad, II (Turkish, Muhşın Muhammad, II) (born May 5, 1973, in Lansing, Michigan) is an American Football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the NFL.
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[edit] Early life
Muhsin Muhammad attended Waverly Senior High School in Lansing, Michigan. While there, he excelled in athletics, earning three letters in football, and an additional two in basketball and track. Furthermore, he not only defined himself as a threat as receiver, but also as an all-state linebacker and running back.
After graduating from high school, Muhammad enrolled into Michigan State University.
[edit] NFL career
[edit] Carolina Panthers
Muhammad was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft After two mediocre seasons, Muhammad exploded onto the NFL scene, averaging nearly 1000 yards each season from the 1998 to 2000 NFL season.
During the 2001 NFL season, Muhammad was plagued by injuries, but he managed to recover his form the following season. He would later play a leading role in the Carolina Panthers' run to Super Bowl XXXVIII during 2003 NFL season. Unfortunately, the Panthers lost to the AFC Champion, 29-32 New England Patriots.
Muhammad would go on to have an excellent 2004 season, leading the NFL with a career high 1,405 receiving yards, and 16 receiving touchdowns. To compliment this he would also go to earn a Pro Bowl invitation.
By the end of the 2004 season, Muhammad held all of the Panthers' receiving records, including catches (578), receiving yards (7,751), 100-yard games (26), the top three single-game yardage totals (192, 189, 179) and was tied with Wesley Walls at 44 touchdown receptions. He also led the team in dropped passes and was criticized for dropping balls throughout his tenure as a Panther.
Following the 2004 season, Muhammad, who was due a $10 million roster bonus, could not come to contract terms with Panthers, and was released in February of 2005. Hours after his release, Muhammad received a call from the Chicago Bears, who offered the 32-year old veteran a six year contract. Without hesitation, Muhammad agreed, and left Charlotte for Chicago.
[edit] Chicago Bears
Muhammad's tenure with the Bears has been eventful. He has established himself as one of the main receiving threat for the Bears. He has been credited with encouraging a stronger work ethic within the Bears receiving corps. Also, Muhammad shared his sagacious advice to rookie wide receivers Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, and Rashied Davis.
Despite failing to catch several poorly thrown passes from the rookie quarterback, Kyle Orton, Muhammad held himself accountable for the mistakes, and promised the Chicagoland media he would work to improve his game. However, it should be noted that Muhammad would later be seen complaining to Orton during a Sunday night match up against the Atlanta Falcons. Following Muhammad's criticism, coach Lovie Smith benched Orton in favor of a fully recovered Rex Grossman.
Muhammad has been an effective part of the Bears offense since Rex Grossman's return, surpassing 100 yards receiving in three games in 2006.
[edit] Personal life
Muhammad is currently married to his wife, Christa, and has three daughters and one son. He spends the off season living with his family in Lansing, Michigan.
Muhammad has also been greatly recognized for his work outside of football, contributing much of his time and resources to help the lesser fortunate. Muhammad has created his own charity foundation called, “The M2 Foundation for Kids”, which is dedicated to enhancing the educational, mental, and physical development of children. Also, Muhammad promoted the "Back to Nature" program, a special camping trip which encouraged children to spend more time with nature by taking them on various nature hikes throughout the Great Smokey Mountains and numerous nature perseveres in Tennessee.
Muhammad has been a long time supporter of the for Muscular Dystrophy Association in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was worked with several of his teammates to raise funds and awareness for the group by organizing Christmas toy drives and a special football camp. Furthermore, Muhammad serves as a spokesperson for the Men For Change organization, a group which helps generate money for impoverished women’s shelters.
Muhammad's career with the Panthers was plagued with several negative experiences. During his time there, he was the target of a racial slur from 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.
[edit] Trivia
- Muhammad was born Melvin Campbell, but his father converted to Islam when Muhsin was 4 years old. [1]; Muhsin himself is a Christian.
- Muhammad’s nickname is “Moose” and fans in the crowd often wear moose antlers in support of him.
- Because of his hours of volunteer work with various charity groups, the Carolina Panthers’ organization, Muhammad was presented with the Panther’s “man of the year” award in 1999.
- When translated from Arabic, Muhammad’s first name means “one who does charitable deeds”.
- Despite leaving the Panthers’ organization in 2004, Muhammad has still remained friends with many of his former players. During the 2005 Bears – Panthers match up, Muhammad could be seen talking with his former teammates after the game ended.
- During the 2002 and 2003 off-season, Muhammad became a color commentator for the NFL Europe on behalf of FOXtelevision. Furthermore, he was a post-season correspondent for NFL Network in 2004.
