Marquis Daisy and ESPN began work earlier this year on a documentary on former Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss to air as part of the critically acclaimed "30 for 30" series. It took some work, but the film "Rand University," focusing on Moss' hometown of Rand, W.V., aired for the first time this past Tuesday. On Thursday, the Star Tribune's Michael Rand caught up with Daisy, the film's director:
Q How did this project come together, from a conceptual standpoint and getting Randy on board?
A When I first started at ESPN [in March], they approached me about doing a film about Randy Moss. Naturally, I was enamored and excited. Growing up, he was the guy. I was an athlete myself. I played football, basketball and ran track. So Randy Moss was sort of "that guy" growing up. … For about three or four months, I couldn't get him to sit down and the film almost went away. This film almost didn't happen.
Q So how did you finally get him?
A I was doing research and basically stalking him. I found that he was going to be back at Marshall for a football camp. I reached out to his [people] and said, 'Look, I've been chasing you guys for months. What do you think about me just showing up?' His manager said, 'Sure, you can show up, and I'll let him know you're coming, but he's not going to sit down with you.' … In the back of my mind, I had a really funny feeling that once he met me, he would gravitate toward me and connect with me.
Q In the film, do you think Moss comes across as a sympathetic figure?
A I think in the end, people are going to root for him. He's been very enigmatic. People don't know very much about him. Now you understand him being a rogue person. You understand what went into that. I had the sense that he's very remorseful for some of the things he went through. He has such pride, and that doesn't always come across.
Q One of the film's lighter moments involves Moss doing an impression of former Vikings coach Dennis Green. When he did that, did you know you were sitting on pure comic gold?
