Mark Moseley
The only pure special teams player to win NFL MVP
Mark DeWayne Moseley (born March 12, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1970), the Houston Oilers (1971–72), the Washington Redskins (1974–86), and the Cleveland Browns (1986).
- Team Affiliation
- Washington Redskins (1974–1986)
- Key Achievement
- Kicked the winning field goal in Super Bowl XVII
- Hall of Fame Status
- Washington Commanders Ring of Fame Inductee (2014)
Lore & Background
A native of Livingston, Texas, Moseley played quarterback at Texas A&M University and Stephen F. Austin State University before switching to kicker for his senior season at Stephen F. Austin. He was selected by the Eagles in the 14th round of the 1970 NFL draft. He was out of football in 1973 before signing with the Washington Redskins in 1974. He won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season, the only pure special teams player to win the award. He was released by the Redskins in 1986 and retired that year after a few games with the Cleveland Browns.
In Their Own Story
The cold air of the Super Bowl hangs heavy in the stadium, the roar of the crowd a distant hum compared to the pounding of Mark Moseley's heart. He adjusts his helmet, feeling the familiar weight of the snap and hold. The clock winds down, seconds ticking away like a heartbeat. With a deep breath, he plants his foot, swings through with practiced grace, and watches the white ball spiral perfectly between the uprights. Silence breaks into eruption; another impossible moment is secured by the Missile.
Reader's Guide
Moseley remains the Washington Redskins' all-time leading scorer with 1,207 points. In his career, he was successful on 300 out of 457 field-goal attempts (65%) and 482 out of 512 extra points (94%), scoring a total of 1,382 points. He led the NFL in field goals made four times. He kicked two field goals and all three extra points in Super Bowl XVII. He also kicked the game-winning field goal in the NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Did You Know?
- Moseley was out of football in 1973 and worked installing septic systems and coaching high school sports before signing with Washington.
- He converted 23 straight field goals from 1981 to 1982, a record at the time.
- In the 1982 season, he made a league-leading 20 of 21 field goals, a then-record 95.2% success rate.
- He kicked the winning field goal in Super Bowl XVII, but the Redskins' other Super Bowl win during his tenure (Super Bowl XXII) came after he left the team.
- His younger sister, Pamela Moseley Carpenter, was murdered by Johnny Paul Penry in 1979.
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