NFL’s Randy Moss Investing Back in West Virginia
Written by Jason Keeling on February 1, 2009
On this Super Bowl Sunday, as fans await the nation’s biggest game, consider how many West Virginians love football at all levels. While there have been several athletes from the state who ascended into the ranks of the National Football League, one of the most noteworthy is Randy Moss.
Football Finesse
In his first season, he scored the most touchdown receptions by a rookie and was named 1998 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has been designated All Pro four times and selected for the Pro Bowl six times. In 2007, he set the NFL single-season touchdown reception record, and at this time last year, he was competing in Super Bowl XLII for the New England Patriots.
On the field, he is known for blistering speed, the ability to fool defenders, and tremendous catching skills. With such talent comes responsibility, and over the course of his football career, Moss has dropped a few balls in the game of life, with news media there every step of the way to amplify the negative.
It’s unfortunate that some people continue to identify Moss with past incidents and gaffes, instead of realizing his significant maturation. Pay attention and you’ll see that his focus no longer includes just football, but family and philanthropy.
Family and Philanthropy
Last year, Moss established Links for Learning, a foundation that will build learning centers to aid southern West Virginia’s most under served student populations. The first center is scheduled to be located in Moss’ hometown of Rand. In June, he hosted a tournament at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Hurricane to kick off fundraising efforts for the initiative.
Moss shanked several golf shots that day, but he was all smiles, as the event wasn’t about competition, but charity and goodwill. “It’s all about the kids,” he said.
In January, Moss traveled back to Charleston, where he donated clothing and distributed food at St. John’s Episcopal Church. This occasion was not announced to the media and unbeknownst to Moss, I was asked by one of his associates to be there.
The needy in attendance were glad to get warm clothing and appreciated being served a hot meal by a national sports celebrity. Moss exchanged smiles and good-humored banter with those in line. Despite the Patriots barely missing the playoffs this season, he received much encouragement. “I like you ’cause you could smoke T.O.,” said one gentlemen in reference to NFL receiver Terrell Owens.
“My son went to Dupont [High School] with Randy and he was a knuckle-head back then, but now I see a man who’s righting the ship,” said Jerry Hicks. “I appreciate that he’s giving back to the state,” added Kenneth Terrell.
As Moss continues to invest time, energy, and resources back into his home state of West Virginia, perhaps his critics will be dissuaded from naysaying and instead become compelled to give of themselves as well.
— Thanks to Sarah Cooper for the above golf photo and her other shots of the first Links for Learning event.
Posted in Culture, Education, West Virginia
content rss
February 1st, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Great article - thanks!
February 1st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I liked your article because it stands up for Moss and points out his reformation. He was undoubtedly troubled as a teen, but anyone with those talents, growing up where he grew up would be almost certain to fall down the same path. I saw him play football in high school and he was a freak of nature. His NFL future was solidified in 8th grade. I can’t imagine what that would be like for someone so young, but the important thing is that he pulled through and became the person he is today…a person with compassion that is dedicated to giving back.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I’m impressed by these things…and I see a man headed toward (or who may have found) redemption.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
It’s always great to see one of West Virginia’s own make it to the “national” show. Moss shows great strength in his journey from a troubled young man to a now respected professional athlete in the NFL. I’m glad that he is not forgetting his home, where he came from, and the strong foundation that made him what he is today.
He is truly committed to bringing success to WV and his dedication in charitable giving should be inspiring us all.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I am proud to see a man that has changed his own life around and made wonderful strides now beginning to help change other’s lives. I would love to see these centers in West Virginia as long as they are used to better the lives of the youth and not just a hang out spot. It would be great to see the detail about what they want to put in the centers and how they will be staffed. If it is about the betterment of a child I truly support what he is doing.
May 13th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I have watched Randy Grow up and mature- I appreciate his tenacity and growth as a super star- I teach at West Virginia State University and glad to submit the following ahteltic event for your consideration. I am the Director of the West Virginia Geri Olympics a competitive event for nursing home residents that promotes wellness , a healthy life style and quality of life through acitive living and the event. This is an intergenerational program that features children interacting and supporting the nursing home resident ahtlete during the program. The West Virginia Geri Olympics just finished its 22nd year and is sponsored by the WV Bureau of Senior Services and West Virginia State University. Five years ago an additional Geri Olympics was added in Prague Czech Republic through a cooperative agreement with Charles University and the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education- in October of 2008 the first American Team of Nursing Home Resident Atheletes ventured to Prague representing the United States in the competition. None of the 6 athletes had ever flown or been abroad- they were challenged to “bring home the gold” by our Governor Jpe Manchin and the met the challenge. We are looking for sponsors to fund or support a future event in Prague in October 2010 which would involve competition between nursing home resident athletes from 5 or 6 countries. We are looking for sponsors that would enable us to raise around 150,000 dollars. There would be lots of press coverage and press for sponsors. I know this project does not fit into current funding interests but would like to offer it for your consideration. I know that competion among nursing home resident ahtletes is hard to comprehend- we have pictures, power point presentations and two dvds that are available for you to review that would further explain the activities. I would be glad to meet with your represenatives if there is sufficient interest. We are also looking at the possibility of doing a similar event around the time of the olympics in London in 2012. I look forward to hearing from you. Each of the Nursing Home Resident athletes are champions in their own right.
Associate Professor - Health and Human Performance, West Virginia State Univerity
August 14th, 2009 at 11:51 am
[...] Snipy Randy Moss isnt a horrible person where did you hear that? He does a lot for under privileged kids in West Virgina. http://www.abetterwestvirginia.com/2…west-virginia/ [...]