HURRICANE - Whenever Randy Moss needed an assist, Jason Williams was usually on the other end making the pass.
Williams gave Moss another helping hand Saturday as the old DuPont High basketball teammates reunited for the Links for Learning/Randy Moss Foundation Golf Tournament at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club.
Joining Moss, who plays wide receiver for the New England Patriots, and Williams, a point guard for the Miami Heat, were New York Jets and former Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington, former Marshall football coach Bob Pruett and Kevin Pittsnogle, the former West Virginia University men's basketball standout.
Rand native and NFL superstar Randy Moss’ foundation will provide area children with learning centers in southern West Virginia. Saturday’s golf tournament at Sleepy Hollow kicked off the foundation’s fund-raising effort.
"I wanted to throw this tournament and raise some money and I reached out to a lot of people in West Virginia, but I think Jason and me teaming up was a little bit more special than others,'' said Moss.
"It was definitely him making a couple of sacrifices in his schedule to make sure he was here, so I appreciate that. Jason and I have always followed one another's career. Always had love for one another. I really haven't had a chance to be on the golf course with him. I've spent a lot of time on the court with him.''
The event was the fund-raising kickoff for a foundation that will provide area children with learning centers being established in southern West Virginia. The first is scheduled for Moss' hometown of Rand, which is just down the road from Williams' Belle roots.
"Just doing something for a friend,'' said Williams. "[We're] trying to get this built for the kids and if they can do that it'll be a success. Anytime anybody can do something for the kids it's a good cause. Hopefully, we can get more people each year.''
Jim Fout, the former boys basketball coach at DuPont, said the foundation had a solid beginning Saturday.
"I think anytime you put those two guys together they'll come up with something successful,'' said Fout, who was recently named the women's basketball coach at WVU Tech. "It causes successful people to want to be around them.
"Because of the success they've had, it draws people in. That's going to help get this learning center off the ground. You look around, there's quite a few people paying a pretty good price to play golf. I'm just awful proud of those two kids.''
Moss spent part of Friday handing out shoes to youngsters at the King Center and Roosevelt Neighborhood Center in Charleston.
"It's very important for us as adults to lead a positive life and set an example for these kids,'' said Moss. "I have goals and one of my main goals is to better the kids.''
Moss said it was nice to spend some time with Williams.
HURRICANE - Whenever Randy Moss needed an assist, Jason Williams was usually on the other end making the pass.
Williams gave Moss another helping hand Saturday as the old DuPont High basketball teammates reunited for the Links for Learning/Randy Moss Foundation Golf Tournament at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club.
Joining Moss, who plays wide receiver for the New England Patriots, and Williams, a point guard for the Miami Heat, were New York Jets and former Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington, former Marshall football coach Bob Pruett and Kevin Pittsnogle, the former West Virginia University men's basketball standout.
"I wanted to throw this tournament and raise some money and I reached out to a lot of people in West Virginia, but I think Jason and me teaming up was a little bit more special than others,'' said Moss.
"It was definitely him making a couple of sacrifices in his schedule to make sure he was here, so I appreciate that. Jason and I have always followed one another's career. Always had love for one another. I really haven't had a chance to be on the golf course with him. I've spent a lot of time on the court with him.''
The event was the fund-raising kickoff for a foundation that will provide area children with learning centers being established in southern West Virginia. The first is scheduled for Moss' hometown of Rand, which is just down the road from Williams' Belle roots.
"Just doing something for a friend,'' said Williams. "[We're] trying to get this built for the kids and if they can do that it'll be a success. Anytime anybody can do something for the kids it's a good cause. Hopefully, we can get more people each year.''
Jim Fout, the former boys basketball coach at DuPont, said the foundation had a solid beginning Saturday.
"I think anytime you put those two guys together they'll come up with something successful,'' said Fout, who was recently named the women's basketball coach at WVU Tech. "It causes successful people to want to be around them.
"Because of the success they've had, it draws people in. That's going to help get this learning center off the ground. You look around, there's quite a few people paying a pretty good price to play golf. I'm just awful proud of those two kids.''
Moss spent part of Friday handing out shoes to youngsters at the King Center and Roosevelt Neighborhood Center in Charleston.
"It's very important for us as adults to lead a positive life and set an example for these kids,'' said Moss. "I have goals and one of my main goals is to better the kids.''
Moss said it was nice to spend some time with Williams.
"Throughout the years we have [kept in touch],'' said Moss. "It's not an everyday thing that we talk to one another, but we've followed one another's [career], respected one another and always wished each other the best.''
"We try,'' added Willliams of keeping in touch. "It's kind of tough because when I'm playing he's in his offseason and vice versa. Whatever chance we get we stay in touch.''
Moss and Williams each said it was nice to return and help out their home state.
"I'm always back here,'' said Moss. "It's home to me.''
"Every time I get back here people are great,'' said Williams. "It's still the same. That's the best thing about it.''
Moss set the NFL single-season record for touchdown receptions with 23 and helped the Patriots to a 16-0 undefeated regular-season record. The Patriots lost to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII, one of the most memorable upsets in history.
"It's just a game,'' said Moss. "It's not the end of my life. That's what I do for a living so the good thing about that is I can gear back up for the following year. I'm excited about this year.''
Williams, who helped the Heat capture the 2006 NBA championship, averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 assists in an injury-plagued 10th season. The Heat posted the worst record in the NBA, leaving the team's roster in limbo for the upcoming year.
"I'm not sure,'' said Williams of his future in Miami. "Free agent stuff starts after July 1 and we'll figure it out. I want to play. I'd like to play three or four more years.''
Briefly
Tim DiPiero, Moss' agent, said 18 foursomes, who paid $5,000 apiece, took part in Saturday's tournament. A silent auction Saturday evening added to the day's total. "We did pretty well,'' said DiPiero. "We're excited and hoping to make the event bigger and better next year.'' ... Donnie Jones, Moss' business manager, said they hope to break ground on the Rand learning center, which will have computers and a gym, in two or three months. ... The Patriots sent a film crew to document Moss' day and The Boston Globe had its Patriots beat writer at the event.
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Posted By: just thinkin'(7:19am 06-30-2008)
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It seems Randy Moss is growing up. I am glad to see his high-jinks of his early years has fallen by the wayside as he matures and understands that to those who much is given, much will be required. Congratulations, Randy, keep up the good work.
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