Ahmad Rashad, born Robert Earl Moore on November 19, 1949, is celebrated for his dynamic football career and subsequent transition into sports broadcasting. Described as an exciting and fluid player, Rashad's breakaway speed, adept moves, and excellent hands made him a consistent threat on the field. During his collegiate years at the University of Oregon, he was known as Bobby Moore, adopting the name Ahmad Rashad only at the commencement of his professional career. His exceptional athleticism was recognized early on, with his college coach remarking that he was "the finest athlete we have ever recruited."
Early Athletic Prowess
Rashad's athletic talents were evident from his high school days. He secured the state high jump title and led his basketball league in scoring. His collegiate football career at the University of Oregon, where he played for the Oregon Ducks, was marked by significant achievements. As a sophomore, he excelled as a wide receiver, leading his team with 54 catches and earning a spot on the first of three consecutive all-conference teams. His debut game saw him score three touchdowns. To maximize his touches, he was moved to the backfield the following year, where he led the team in rushing. Notably, against USC, he carried the ball 38 times and scored the game-winning touchdown. Despite his increased role in the rushing game, he remained a key downfield target for future NFL great Dan Fouts.
In his senior year, Rashad's rushing totals ranked eighth nationally, earning him first-team All-America honors. His two touchdowns were instrumental in the Ducks achieving another upset victory over Southern California. His collegiate success led to him being a first-round NFL draft choice.
Professional Football Career
Upon entering the professional ranks, Rashad was converted back to a wide receiver. He was the fourth overall selection in the 1972 NFL draft, chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played for the Cardinals for two seasons before being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 1974. After sitting out the 1975 season due to a knee injury, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks before the 1976 season.
Throughout his 11-season professional football career, Rashad achieved significant recognition. He was a four-time Pro Bowl player and once earned game MVP honors. Across his career, Rashad caught 495 passes for 6,831 yards and 44 touchdowns, also contributing 52 rushing yards. A standout moment of his career occurred in a December 1980 game against the Cleveland Browns. Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer threw a Hail Mary pass to Rashad, resulting in a dramatic 28-23 come-from-behind victory that secured the Central Division title for the Vikings. This play became famously known as "The Miracle at the Met" or "The Miracle Catch." Rashad replaced John Gilliam as a receiver for both the St. Louis and Minnesota teams during his career.
Transition to Broadcasting and Media
Following his retirement from professional football, Ahmad Rashad seamlessly transitioned into television. He established a successful career as a sports broadcaster, working as a studio analyst, game reporter, and anchor for various sports networks. He was a regular panelist on NBC's NFL Live pregame show. Notably, he hosted the popular NBA weekly digest shows NBA Inside Stuff from 1990 to 2004 and NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad from 2005 to 2011.
Rashad's presence extended beyond sports television. He has appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in several films and television shows, portraying a television sports personality. Additionally, he has hosted a variety of non-sports related game shows and reality television programs, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry. In early 2013, he joined the Golf Channel as a panelist on the daily talk show Morning Drive, though he departed later that summer. In 1988, he temporarily filled in for Robb Weller on the weekend edition of Entertainment Tonight, then known as Entertainment This Week. He also frequently interviewed his long-time friend Michael Jordan during his tenure at NBC.
A Unique NBA Appearance
In a remarkable turn of events, just before the launch of NBA Inside Stuff in 1990, Rashad, then 40 years old, signed a two-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. This move was intended as a promotional stunt for the show, allowing Rashad to practice with the team and participate in an NBA preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This event marked a unique instance of a former NFL player participating in a professional basketball game.
The preseason game was the first ever played at the newly constructed Target Center, drawing a crowd of 18,296. Rashad entered the game as a substitute for Hersey Hawkins. On his very first play, he committed an "and-one" shooting foul to Tony Campbell. During a subsequent timeout, head coach Jim Lynam designed a play for Rashad, who ran across the baseline for an open look. He successfully made the 20-foot shot, scoring the first and only points of his brief NBA career. Reflecting on the moment, Rashad expressed his exhilaration, stating, "I definitely replayed this one in my head for quite some time. My teammates set me up on the left side, and when everything was on the line, I nailed it." Despite his offensive success, Rashad's defensive efforts allowed the Timberwolves to narrow the deficit. Following the game, his performance was praised by teammates and coaches, including Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.
The GUTSIEST Performance of Ahmad Rashad's CAREER | Vikings @ Buccaneers (1980)
Personal Life
Born Robert Earl Moore in Portland, Oregon, in 1949, Rashad later moved with his family to Tacoma, Washington, where he played high school football. He graduated from Mount Tahoma High School and received an athletic scholarship to the University of Oregon. During his college years, Rashad experienced legal issues in Portland. In 1972, Moore converted from Pentecostalism to Islam.
Rashad has been married five times and has four ex-wives. He has fathered six children. His first son, Geoffrey Simmons, was born to his high school girlfriend, Melody Neal. After Geoffrey was put up for adoption in 1967, he contacted his father in 2005, leading to their first meeting. Rashad's first marriage was to Deidre Waters in 1969, with whom he had a daughter, Keva, born in 1970. His second marriage was to Matilda Johnson in 1976, and they had two children: daughter Maiyisha (born 1976) and son Ahmad Jr. (born 1978). In 1985, he married actress Phylicia Ayers-Allen, known for her role on The Cosby Show. He proposed to her on national television during the pregame show of NBC's Thanksgiving Day football game. This was the third marriage for both. They had a daughter together, Condola Phylea Rashad. In 2007, Rashad married his fourth wife, Nancy Sale Johnson, who had three daughters from a previous marriage. After Casey Johnson's death, the couple adopted her daughter, Ava-Monroe Johnson.