College Football HoF, NFL

Rashad, Ahmad

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-158

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Formerly known as Robert Earl Moore.
  • Ahmad Rashad played college ball with QB Dan Fouts at Oregon from 1968-1971.
  • Played HB setting multiple records at the school (rushing yards, receptions, and points) -which were all school records.
  • First round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972 and transitioned to receiver.
  • Played in 13 games catching 29 passes for 500 yards.
  • Led the NFL with a 98 yard TD pass- probably the longest catch any rookie has had.
  • Traded to the Buffalo Bills after the 1973 season, but only played one year there, as he was sidelined with injuries for the entire 1975 campaign.
  • Traded to the Vikings shortly before the regular season by the Seahawks in 1976, and set new career marks across the board with 53 catches for 671 yards.
  • Caught 66 passes for 768 yards and 8 TDs in 1978.
  • Had career high 80 catches for 1156 yards and 9 TDs in 1979.
  • Continued unlikely run with another 1000 yard campaign in 1980, catching 69 passes for 1095 yards and 5 TDs.
  • In 1981, put up 58 catches for 884 yards and 7 TD.s
  • Retired after the 1982 campaign.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1978-81
  • Second Team AP 1979
  • Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
  • Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
  • 50 Greatest Vikings
  • Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
  • Minnesota Vikings 50th Anniversary Team
  • College Football Hall of Fame 2007

NOTES:

When I first started watching NBC football during golden era the 80s, Ahmad Rashad had the smoothest delivery behind the desk back at the studio. Initially, I didn’t even know he played football! I felt like he and Bob Costas had extremely similar styles of commentary and announcing that I was very comfortable with. For a while there Rashad was married to Phylicia Ayers-Allen (Rashad)- who is an actress most notably known for being the mom on the Cosby Show.

Rashad is also a huge basketball fan, announcer, desk host, and player. He even got into a preseason game at the age of 40 playing for the Philadelphia 76ers scoring 2 points!

He remains a Vikings and Minnesota legend to this day.

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