'Moose' still on the loose

At 35, Muhammad has added toughness and leadership in return to Panthers

Whether it's running on the beach in Aruba, working the weights inside Bank of America Stadium or avoiding late-night eating, Carolina's Muhsin Muhammad is committed to taking care of his body.

The results are obvious.

At age 35, he's tied for 10th in the NFL in pass receptions (22) and is 11th in receiving yards (287). Nearly two-thirds of his catches (14) have resulted in first downs.

So far, the man known simply as Moose to teammates and fans has been even better than expected since returning to his original team after a three-year exile to Chicago.

At a time when most players his age are either retired or slowing down, it's almost as if he's found an aging antidote.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Herman Edwards, whose team faces the Panthers today, said some aspects of Muhammad's game seem better than ever.

"I've always respected him as a tough, physical guy," Edwards said. "But he looks a lot quicker to me."

Muhammad looked as good as ever last Sunday, catching eight passes for 147 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta.

As familiar as it was seeing No. 87 scoring on a 36-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme, there are also things about Muhammad that have changed since he last played for the Panthers.

He seems mellower, more mature, more secure, more of a leader, less edgy, less self-promoting.

"I'm at peace, man," he said in the locker room this week.

"I'm living a dream. I have a great family. I'm playing in a city that has embraced me, and with an organization that's good.

"I don't have a whole lot of worries. My children are doing well. The family is good. I have a good relationship with my Father in heaven. As long as that's in good shape, everything else is easy."

When he outgained Steve Smith 147 receiving yards to 96 last week, he quickly shunned the notion that he had proven he still could be "the guy."

"I'm the other guy, the co-host," he said. "I am not the guy by any means. Steve is a heck of a talent, man. It's great to be able to play with him. He's definitely the guy."

Muhammad and the Panthers say they never wanted to part ways after the 2004 season, but their inability to agree on contract terms resulted in a separation that now has come full circle.

Expansion team

Muhammad's life away from the field has become fuller, too.

Long known in Charlotte for his community service and work with youths, he and his wife Christa made a life-changing decision last year by deciding to adopt two Ethiopian orphans and add them to a family that already included four children.

"It's really allowed me to put certain things in my life in perspective, like what's important," Muhammad said. "It's a humbling experience. I hate to say it makes you soft a little bit, but it really opens your heart up to see and makes you examine corners of you, where maybe you didn't know certain feelings existed.

"To love a child you didn't birth, and truly love them, is a part of me I didn't understand was possible. But it's very possible.

"My kids are all a blessing to me. They are all equal. I love them all the same."

Originally, Muhsin said he and Christa were interested in adopting an infant, but wound up with two older children, a girl, now 9, and a boy, 5.

They named their new daughter Journey as a reminder of their adoption journey and their son Maddon, which, like Muhsin, means "charitable giver."

Their blended family now has six children between the ages of 4 and 11.

"Every day is an adventure," said Muhsin. "Never a dull moment.

While Muhsin concentrates on his job with the Panthers, his children participate in cross country, soccer, football and dance.