Published: November 09, 2009 12:59 am      

Moss gives back

Patriots WR helps get many refurbishments at DuPont Middle

BELLE — Locally, Randy Moss has signed autographs, made donations, started a foundation and has generally spread a lot of goodwill.

But it seems the NFL star’s latest effort has touched him on an even more personal level. And it definitely has touched the community where he grew up in a special way.

Moss and his associates with Randy Moss Enterprises have refurbished the DuPont Middle School fieldhouse to a state-of-the-art facility, complete with new lockers for both home and visiting locker rooms, new weight equipment, a new players lounge with a big screen television, and spruced up the weight room, coaches office, restrooms and laundry room. It was unveiled last week in a private ceremony with students at the school with little fanfare.

It was the same facility that Moss and his teammates used when Moss was an All-America player in his high school days at DuPont.

Inspired by the project, volunteers have been chipping in with other much needed upgrades on the grounds, including digging a drain to aid in the water problems the field was experiencing, building new benches and painting and repairing the concession area.

“A lot of people have come out and volunteered their services,” Moss said. “They’re bringing gravel, washing things, having hot dog sales, and they want to be a part of it. For that, I’m thankful. Every little bit helps. A lot of people are excited. We can all come together and make this work. I just want to thank them for doing this for the kids.

“I’ve been hearing from my team (at Randy Moss Enterprises) that everyone is real excited in the community. It has already brought a smile to a lot of kids’ faces. That is enough for me.”

Moss became aware of the needs at DuPont Middle on his visit there in April for the taping of an episode of the NASCAR Angels television show.

“When I came back for the first time, I had butterflies because I hadn’t been back for so long,” he said. “We were doing something good for the NASCAR Angels program that day and I got to see some familiar faces.

“I got to see the old state championship banners and pictures. It really brought back a lot of memories. It was good to be actually at home, not just being in the state of West Virginia, but actually at my old school at DuPont.”

“That visit inspired him,” said Donnie “Blue” Jones of Randy Moss Enterprises. “The NASCAR Angels program taping was the first time he’s been back. He had an opportunity to go inside the school at DuPont and experience some things from his glory days. Then we moved down to the football field and fieldhouse later. He took a look around and it just brought back a lot of good memories to him. He saw that the place could use a facelift. No one asked him or requested anything from him. He took it upon himself to do something about it. He passed the word down to me and we got the ball rolling.

“Randy’s a firm believer that if you look good, you feel good,” Jones added. “If you feel good, you play good. That’s goes a long way. It gives these kids inspiration to come in and want to do well.”

The sparkling new digs are as nice as most college facilities.

“It’s first-class,” Jones said. “When the kids see some of the other facilities around that are in the same shape that ours was in before the renovations, it makes them appreciate it. We try to instill in them that this is yours. Treat it like you would your own bedroom. It’s been nice.

“This has been a great experience for everyone.”

Helping out the children who are following his footsteps at DuPont holds a special meaning in his heart, Moss said.

“It’s my community and my neighborhood. When those guys strap on that helmet on Thursday night, it’s the same helmet I used to strap on. This is permanent. It’s something that will be there always. It’s not like giving an autograph or a jersey that will fade or go away. It’s permanent. It will also pass down through the midget league system for the kids that are coming in the future. I’m really excited about it.”

Moss admired Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton while growing up. He sees the value in giving children a positive adult model to follow.

“It’s very important,” Moss said. “Blue (Jones) passed along to me that they put a picture of Walter Payton on the wall (in the fieldhouse). That’s there to let the kids know that there was somebody who inspired me along the way. But the exception was that (Payton) was never here in person. I enjoy being there for them in person and letting the kids know that, yes, Randy Moss did wear that DuPont jersey. Yes, he did play here on Thursday nights. It feels good.”

Does Moss want anything in return?

“I want them to get an 8-0 trophy up on the wall sooner or later because I got a couple of championships myself,” he said, laughing.

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Tommy Canterbury, a DuPont Middle teacher and assistant football coach, has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past few months — cosmetically and spiritually — at the school.

“When the community saw that someone was taking an interest, someone with Randy’s star power, they decided that if he was doing something, they could do something, too,” he said. “They’ve built benches. They dug a French drain from one 20-yard line to the other 20. They’re remodeling the concession area. The parents have really jumped on board.

“What Randy has done has really inspired the community to step in and take a part.”

Canterbury stressed that the project will touch many in the area.

“This project benefits more than just DuPont Middle School,” he said. “The area midget leagues use this field. And it’s more than just football. The boys and girls soccer teams use it. The cheerleaders use it. The community uses it. You can come up here any time of the day and you’ll see people walking around the track.”

School pride has been renewed, Canterbury said.

“The kids see that the place is nice and neat now. They’re doing their best to keep it that way. They take their shoes off when they go into the lounge area. They take their cleats off before going in the locker area. It’s really done a lot for the kids and the community.

“I don’t know if there’s ever going to be a way to repay Randy for what he has done. But I know that the kids are surely enjoying it.”

Bobby Miller, the head football coach at DuPont Middle, agreed.

“This has really inspired our players. I can’t wait for Randy to see it in their faces. It has inspired them and motivated them. They really appreciate it.

“This will pay dividends for many years. Hopefully it will get our kids going and keep the tradition going here at DuPont. The coaching staff has had a ball with these kids this year.”

Athletics plays a very important role in children’s lives, Miller added.

“It’s nice to see them getting motivated and just doing the right thing.

“It’s good to see Randy giving back to the community — and the community giving back to Randy. That’s what this has been all about.”

— Email: jworkman@

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