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Randy Moss discusses Dennis Green's hidden musical talent

By Alex Butler
Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss goes for a 5-yard gain in the third quarter. on December 7, 2003. (UPI Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
1 of 3 | Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss goes for a 5-yard gain in the third quarter. on December 7, 2003. (UPI Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) | License Photo

MINNEAPOLIS, July 25 (UPI) -- Play to one beat.

Those are the words Randy Moss remembers most when it comes to former coach Dennis Green, who died July 21 at 67.

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But this wasn't just coach-speak, it was a literal beat for the Minnesota Vikings on a Monday night in 1998. Before the Vikings faced off against the Packers, Moss recalled for Vikings.com, he instilled confidence in his young wide receiver. He also joined the team in a symphony of sorts.

"I remember him saying throughout the week that he was going to unleash me," Moss told Vikings.com. "We were in the locker room and playing some beat on the lockers, and Coach Green started playing it. Everybody knows Coach Green likes to play the drums too, so Coach Green started playing the beat that we're playing in the locker room so everybody is geeked up, wound up, ready to go out there and destroy the Packers, and we just did what we set out to do."

Moss dominated the Vikings that night and only needed five catches to do it. He took those receptions for 190 yards and two scores. The Vikings won 37-24 at Lambeau field.

"After the game, Coach asked me, 'Was that the biggest game I've had? I told him, 'Yeah,' and still to this day, one thing I keep saying in this interview is play to one beat, and that's what he taught us to do," Moss told Vikings.com.

The future Hall of Fame wide receiver went on to grab 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns in his career. He posted on Instagram about how much Green meant to him.

"When nobody wanted me to play the sport I fell in love with, this man gave me a chance to pursue my dreams," Moss wrote. "My family and I are forever grateful, appreciative and truly blessed to have crossed paths #RIPDENNY#loveu#thanku#takethehighroad."

Moss played in Minnesota from 1998 to 2004. Green coached the Vikings from 1992 to 2001. Moss was recently hired to be an analyst for ESPN, after a successful stint for FOX Sports.

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