Santana Moss never asked for anything in his career. He has lived his life on one philosophy: work hard, put in the work, and the results would come to him.
That approach helped Moss become one of the best receivers in franchise history, and now, eleven years after his final game, he's being recognized for it. The Commanders announced on Sunday that Moss would be the 52nd player inducted into their Ring of Fame during halftime of the team's season opener against the New York Giants.
"I know what I did on the field...but to be acknowledged for it, man, it's a different feeling," Moss said. "You feel like you're appreciated."
Moss, now an analyst for "Command Center" -- the team's in-house media broadcast -- was told the news by Ring of Fame member Brian Mitchell at the end of Sunday's show. He was then surprised by a mixture of about two dozen family members, friends and former teammates, all wearing hats with Moss' name and number on them.
They couldn't see it because of his sunglasses, but Moss' eyes began to well up with tears.
"I had no clue what it was," Moss said. "I just saw things that was kind of odd to me ... I hate surprises, but they can surprise me like that a million times."
Moss was drafted 16th overall by the New York Jets in 2001 but will be remembered more for his career in Washington, which traded for Moss in exchange for Laveranues Coles in 2005. Moss spent the next 10 seasons with the Burgundy & Gold, recording three 1,000-yard seasons while averaging 14 yards per catch. He ended his Washington stint with 7,867 yards and 66 touchdowns, both of which rank in the top 10 for a receiver.
In his first season with the team, Moss had 84 receptions for 1,483 yards, which remains the best single-season performance for a receiver in franchise history.
"To be recognized for that work that I put in for my profession, man...it's one of the best feelings in the world," Moss said.
Moss credits his work ethic, which he said he learned from his parents, for his success. Like him, his parents worked hard for what they gained in life. They didn't have to tell their kids how to live, Moss said, because he and his siblings saw it from them every day. So, Moss took that same approach. If there was something he wanted to do, either in his professional or personal life, Moss would "go out there and go to work."
Although Moss only received one Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection in his career, those who watched him appreciated that approach.
"I was always a big fan of 'Tana," Mitchell said. "As I watched him play, and I hung out with him, I see why, because the dude is always about his business."
Moss said what he did during his career is well-documented. "It's in the books," he said, and people can go back to the film if they have a question about his accomplishments. Now, he has one more thing to point to as a sign of how he made his mark on the franchise.
"To actually be able to say, 'Look,' to my family, to my friends, to my peers, it's gonna be big," Moss said.
