Souhan: Anthony Edwards’ walk-off could have been a big deal, but Timberwolves avoided controversy

On Jan. 2, 2005, Randy Moss left the sideline with two seconds remaining in a three-point loss at Washington, a loss that appeared destined to knock the Vikings out of playoff contention.

Vikings coach Mike Tice, incensed by Moss’ departure, sent massive center Matt Birk into the locker room to confront Moss.

Moss was criticized in Minnesota and nationally. A week later, he would catch two touchdown passes to help defeat Green Bay at Lambeau Field, but his walk-off had altered his status with the team.

The Vikings’ season ended with a playoff loss Jan. 16, 2005, at Philadelphia. About six weeks later, the Vikings traded Moss to the then-Oakland Raiders for a first-round draft pick, a seventh-round pick and linebacker Napoleon Harris.

That was not a good trade, but it was one the Vikings believed they had to make to function as a professional organization.

On Dec. 31, 2025, the Timberwolves were embarrassed in a 126-102 loss at Atlanta. Wolves star Anthony Edwards, who grew up in Georgia and had his grandfather and other family members attending the game, tossed a towel in the air and left the court with about eight minutes remaining.

After the game, Wolves coach Chris Finch called the departure “unacceptable” and said Edwards “needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team.”

Just kidding. Nothing happened.

Two star athletes from Minnesota disrespected their teammates by leaving a disappointing loss early. Edwards left with much more time on the clock than Moss. So why the disparate reactions?

One reason is the difference in the nature of the sports.

Every NFL game is treated as an epic. Every NFL game generates massive ratings and media coverage.

NBA teams play three and sometimes four games a week. They play 82 regular-season games just to establish playoff seedings, then play for months more to determine a champion. NBA regular-season games are watched and covered but not obsessed over like NFL games.

Most important, Moss and Edwards, despite a few similarities, had built different reputations before their walk-offs.

Moss was known for bumping a police officer with his car, saying, “I play when I want to play” when questioned about his on-field effort, and for being in a violent high school fight that scared off a lot of Division I football programs.

Edwards’ slate isn’t clean. He was heard on a social media post making gay slurs, and he has repeatedly been fined by the NBA for using profane language in interviews or arguing with officials.

Here’s the biggest difference between the two: Moss, one of the best wide receivers ever to play football, was a constant irritant to his employers in his last years in Minnesota. Edwards never has been.

Moss prided himself on being difficult. Edwards does not.

Moss played when he wanted to play. Edwards is known for his work ethic and passion.

After that Atlanta game, the Wolves produced three of their best performances of the season. I asked Finch whether rebounding quickly from the Atlanta embarrassment was emblematic of the nature of the NBA or of his team.

“You’ve got to recover well when things don’t go well,” Finch said. “The Atlanta stuff had been addressed, and we moved on and we had to play these guys [the Miami Heat] in a must-win game for us.

“I’ve said multiple times in the last week: If you look around the league, everybody goes through these little things.”