Wilson turner honored for 44 years

ADA - Charlie Moore doesn't block, he doesn't tackle, and the kind of turns he takes probably won't earn him a spot in the Hall of Fame. But few men, if any, have played a role in more professional football games.

After 44 years of turning footballs for Ada's Wilson Football plant, Moore has had a literal hand in the production of more than 5 million footballs, including every football used in every Super Bowl to date. The company recognized his service with a retirement party and ceremony Monday where they dedicated a block of the street in front of the factory to him. Beginning today, the 200 block of North Liberty Street will be named Charles Moore Turn.

The unique honors follow a unique career, 44 years of hard, physical work as a turner. Every day of the week, Moore took his place on the line and, as the balls came down the belt, used steam and brute force to turn the stiff leather from inside out to right-side in. Doing it once is a challenge. Doing it 5.39 million times is a bit of a miracle.

"To me, he is the epitome of the American worker. Every day of his career Charlie turned footballs. ... He turned those balls with the same passion as the players who use the balls in the NFL," said Dan Riegle, plant manager.

Starting at the plant at just 18, Moore said those first few years were tough. But in time, he found his rhythm and work and life kind of merged. He raised seven children on the company wage, and through the years, his legend grew. He was featured in a Sports Illustrated article in 1990, had his picture in Wilson ads and, best of all, saw eight live Super Bowls on the company dime.

"If I hadn't worked at Wilson I would never have had that chance. Seeing a Super Bowl, that's a chance of a lifetime. I've seen eight of them," Moore said.

There is no question Moore is a company man. Wilson not only provided decades of stable work, but a family he came to depend on. His wife worked beside him for 25 years, and when she died a few years back, his Wilson family was there to support him.

"I went through a rough time there and Wilson was there to support me. You don't forget something like that," Moore said.

It's his other family he expects will keep him busy now that he's retired. He plans to spend some time hunting, fishing and trapping, and figures one or two of his 14 grandchildren will be willing to join him.

"That's what I'm hoping for. I do a lot of hunting and trapping and I'll be taking the grandsons with me. After 44 years here, that's what I'm looking forward to," Moore said.