Editing Muhsin Muhammad (section)

===Carolina Panthers (1996–2004)===
The [[Carolina Panthers]] selected Muhammad in the [[1996 NFL draft]]'s second round with the 43rd overall pick. He was the ninth wide receiver selected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/draft.htm |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Muhammad made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 1996 season against the [[1996 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]. He had six receptions for 96 yards in the 22–20 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - September 8th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609080nor.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He recorded his first NFL touchdown on a 54-yard reception in Week 7 against the [[1996 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers - October 13th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610130car.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He finished his rookie season with 25 receptions for 407 yards and one touchdown in nine games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1996 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1996/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the 1997 season, Muhammed recorded 27 receptions for 317 yards in 13 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1997 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1997/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 1998 season, Muhammad led the Panthers with 68 receptions, six touchdowns, and 941 receiving yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/1998.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1998 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1998/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

Muhammad enjoyed an outstanding season in 1999 under new head coach [[George Seifert]] and his 96 receptions, eight touchdowns, and 1,253 receiving yards led to his first Pro Bowl selection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/probowl.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> His 102 receptions during the 2000 season tied for the NFL lead. Muhammad averaged over 1,000 yards each season from [[1998 NFL season|1998]] to [[2000 NFL season|2000]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 1999 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/1999/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhsin Muhammad 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuhaMu00/gamelog/2000/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

Muhammad was injured for much of the [[2001 NFL season]], but he returned to form and eventually played a leading role in the Carolina Panthers' run to [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] during [[2003 NFL season]]. Though the Panthers lost to the [[American Football Conference|AFC]] Champion [[2003 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] 29–32, Muhammad recorded the longest touchdown reception (85 yards) in [[Super Bowl]] history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzuti |first=Anthony |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Panthers will induct Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad into Hall of Honor |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/10/panthers-inducting-julius-peppers-muhsin-muhammad-2023-hall-of-honor/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Panthers Wire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Scott |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Carolina Panthers select 2 more former stars to join team's Hall of Honor |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article277162903.html |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Charlotte Observer}}</ref>

Muhammad's play during the [[2004 NFL season|2004 season]], where he led the [[NFL]] with a career-high 1,405 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, earned him his second [[Pro Bowl]] invitation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/receiving.htm |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/probowl.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He earned first team All-Pro honors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/allpro.htm |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> By the end of the season, Muhammad held all of the Panthers' receiving records, including catches (578), receiving yards (7,751), 100-yard games (26), and the top three single-game yardage totals (192, 189, 179). In addition, he tied [[Wesley Walls]] at 44 touchdown receptions.<ref name="MooseBio" />

Muhammad, who was due a $10 million roster bonus, and the Panthers could not agree on a contract after the 2004 season, and the team released him in February 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2005 |title=Panthers release veteran receiver |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2005/02/25/Panthers-release-veteran-receiver/37481109378698/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Hours after his release, the [[Chicago Bears]] offered the 32-year-old a six-year contract, and Muhammad left [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] for [[Chicago]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |date=February 26, 2005 |title=Muhammad's deal can be worth as much as $30M |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2000387 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

Muhammad's first stint with the Panthers was plagued with several negative experiences. He was the target of a [[racial slur]] from his [[quarterback]], [[Kerry Collins]]; testified at murder hearings for [[Rae Carruth]] and Deidra Lane (wife of [[Fred Lane (American football)|Fred Lane]]); and was arrested in 2003 on misdemeanor drug and weapon offenses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 25, 1997 |title=Panthers Say Collins Contrite |language=en-US |pages=3 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/25/sports/panthers-say-collins-contrite.html |access-date=June 26, 2023 |issn=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nowell |first=Paul |date=December 13, 2000 |title=Muhammad defends Carruth |work=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/muhammad-defends-carruth-1.246416}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lipsman |first=Benjy |date=June 14, 2005 |title=Dangerous |work=[[Chicagoist]] |url=https://chicagoist.com/2005/06/14/dangerous.php |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729020546/http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2005/06/14/dangerous.php |archive-date=July 29, 2012}}</ref>