Former MN Vikings QB Warren Moon Warren Moon, one of the greatest undrafted players in NFL history, recently hosted the “Brothers in Arms” golf tournament, a charity fundraising event in Houston, TX to provide scholarships.
Moon spent the majority of his career with the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In the NFL, the nine [9] time Pro Bowl selection also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Kansas City Chiefs before his retirement at the conclusion of the 2000 season.
Moon’s legacy extends beyond his success on the football field. In 2006, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first African American quarterback honored, and both the first Canadian Football Hall of Fame player and first undrafted quarterback. He was elected in his first year of eligibility.
Moon’s impact on the game of football is immeasurable, but he also made a difference in the life of a Houston fan, Alton Thomas. As an 8-year-old child, Thomas met Moon at a sports convention and tried in vain to get Moon to acknowledge him for an autograph. When he didn’t succeed in making contact, Thomas was heartbroken at not getting to meet his hero. Thomas would grow up, admittingly, as an angry and bitter fan who resented Moon afterward.
The story was shared by Thomas in several sports social media groups and grew traction. Thomas later mentioned that he was struggling with quitting smoking. Richard Walker, an avid national sportswriter and media Sports Director, saw his post and reached out to him. Walker challenged Thomas to quit smoking for 6 months. If Thomas was successful, Walker would personally ask Moon for an autograph on his behalf and tell Moon the story.
Since Thomas, to date, had successfully quit smoking for over 10 months, Walker held up his end of the bargain at the recent charity event in Houston by telling Moon the story and asking for this autograph. When he heard about Alton’s story, Moon complied and then expressed to Thomas, “You made the best decision of your life, one that will add many years to your life. It will be a pleasure to sign this autograph. Sorry you didn’t get the autograph then, but you got it now!”
The story of a heartbroken football fan ends in success. Thomas later captures the autograph of his hero as motivation to stop smoking. Moon’s impact on the game of football and the lives of his fans continues to be felt to this day.
Contributing Writer and Sports Director, Richard Walker, is a member of the US Basketball Writers Association, the Football Writers Association of America, and can be heard weelky on KCAA 102.3FM in Southern California. Check out www.btpsportsonkcaa.com for more information regarding show times.
