The Randy Moss Thanksgiving debut still resonates

Of the many great Thanksgiving Day performances, one still stands out twenty-seven years later.

The Vikings faced the Cowboys. Rookie receiver Randy Moss had made good on his vow to “rip up” the NFL, helping the Vikings take a 10-1 record to Texas for the traditional late-afternoon game.

Moss believed the Cowboys had told him they’d draft him earlier that year. With the eighth overall pick, the Cowboys passed. Thirteen spots later, the Vikings pounced.

And when Moss got the chance to make the Cowboys regret it, he did.

Three catches for 163 yards. Three touchdowns . Fifty-one yards. Fifty-six yards. Fifty-six yards. Two were bombs, the first via flea flicker on the opening drive. The third was a short pass followed by a broken tackle and the activation of booster rockets for a spri