Cris Carter Fires Back at the Allegations

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings former receiver Cris Carter waves a towel against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff football game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Did you have Cris Carter as an overrated Hall of Famer on your 2025 bingo board?

Cris Carter has officially responded to Asante Samuel Sr.’s slander, setting the record straight on his Hall of Fame career. And he did in Cris Carterian fashion.

You should have, because former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr., the father of free-agent CB Asante Samuel Jr., decided it was a good time to deem Carter an “overrated possession receiver” last week.

Carter responded this week.

Cris Carter Claps Back

Asante Samuel Sr. started the beef, and Carter replied rather respectfully.

Asante Samuel warms up before Patriots game against Ravens in 2007.
New England Patriots cornerback A. Samuel (22) warms up before facing the Baltimore Ravens on December 3, 2007, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports.

Cris Carter Owns the Title

Unsurprisingly, a podcaster asked Carter for his response regarding Samuel Sr.’s strange commentary.

He opined, “Well, number one, you gotta point out the things that were correct. Yes, I was a possession receiver. Absolutely. But the best possession receiver in the history of the game. That’s what the numbers say. So, I don’t take it as derogatory.”

“So, you’re a possession receiver. Alright, that’s fine. Who did it better? There’s so many fast guys that can’t score the football. So, to me — what are you worried about with me? Well, you’re worried about me scoring.”

Carter then listed a laundry list of Hall of Fame cornerbacks he competed against, a list that won’t include Samuel Sr. because a) Carter and Samuel Sr. played in different eras b) Samuel Sr. is not in the Hall of Fame, and Carter is.

“These are the guys I played against. Deion Sanders. Darrell Green. Aeneas Williams. Ronde Barber. John Lynch. Charles Woodson. Leroy Butler. That’s eight or nine guys in the Hall of Fame,” Carter added.

Asante Samuel Sr. Bizarre Take

Folks are still trying to understand why Samuel Sr. took aim at Carter in the first place.

Carter is one of the most revered players in NFL history — for his on-the-field performance and off-the-field recovery story. He’s not a popular target for hot takes. Almost nobody — besides Samuel Sr. — questions his Hall of Fame resume.

The man ranks fourth all-time in receiving touchdowns. That cannot happen by accident.

Carter Takes the High Road

It’s also worth noting that Carter didn’t punch back with venom. He’s known for his dignified persona, which was on full display this week when replying to Samuel Sr.

One might ask — why the hell would anybody start a fight … with Cris Carter of all people? The guy empowers people and isn’t a hotshot firebrand.

Dennis Green and Cris Carter on Vikings sideline during 1998 game in Tampa.
Minnesota head coach Dennis Green stands on the sidelines with wide receiver Cris C. (80) during a 1998 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY NETWORK.

So when Carter came out this week and basically said, “Asante is right; I was a possession receiver,” it was vintage Carter in motion.

Carter Is Also Right

Meanwhile, Carter is correct. Using “possession receiver” as an insult just doesn’t add up. Possessing the football to the tune of the fourth-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history is exactly what you’re supposed to do on an NFL field as a wide receiver.

Tony Gwynn at bat during 1993 spring training at Jack Murphy Stadium.
San Diego Padres legend Tony Gwynn (19) prepares to bat during spring training action at Jack Murphy Stadium on March 11, 1993. Mandatory Credit: VJ Lovero-USA TODAY Sports.

When was the last time a former MLBer jumped on a podcast to call Tony Gwynn a “hit merchant?”

It doesn’t happen because it’s a stupid take.

Janik Eckardt on Carter vs. Samuel Sr.

Our own Janik Eckardt ventured into the Carter-Samuel Sr. beef: “That overrated possession receiver ranks 13th all-time in receiving yards, trailing a bunch of Hall of Famers and some who will be in the near future. If you asked someone about his or her Mount Rushmore of wideouts in the last 40 years, that person could reasonably start with some iteration of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens.”

“Those three have caught the most touchdown passes in NFL history. Guess who ranks fourth. It’s a certain possession receiver who is connected to the sentence ‘All he does is catch touchdowns,’ said by then-coach Buddy Ryan, who released him from the Eagles.”

Cris Carter on red carpet at 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton.
C. Carter walks the red carpet in Canton, Ohio, on August 6, 2022, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

One must wonder if Samuel Sr.’s nonsense will dampen the likelihood of the Vikings signing his son, Asante Samuel Jr., a free-agent cornerback.

Eckardt added, “Carter has the fourth-most receiving touchdowns and the 13th-most receiving yards in NFL history, so it’s foolish to suggest the 59-year-old lacked anything in his playing days. He was an elite football player, which is why he had as much success as he did and ultimately received a Hall of Fame nomination.”

“Carter had eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons between 1993 and 2000, in a time when that milestone was not a given. He also had five consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he led the league in touchdown catches three times.”

Thankfully, the weird feud will likely come to an end after Carter’s classy response. He didn’t stoke the fire. Class and respect go a long way.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily ... More about Dustin Baker