Former Detroit Lion Herman Moore Makes Big Plays for Community

While former Detroit Lions wide receiver and current Lake Orion resident Herman Moore no longer makes plays on the football field, he's still busy making an impact in metro Detroit.

Whether it's raising the spirits of hospitalized children or driving home a strong anti-drug message, Moore is active in metro Detroit's charitable community, giving back to the area he's adopted as his home after 10-year stint with the Detroit Lions. 

Moore visited the young patients of DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit on Friday, where he presented Pacha's Pajamas books and CDs to children on behalf of Imagination Heals, an effort that brings uplifting children's stories and imagination-based activities to cheer up hospitalized children around the U.S.

"They visit children's hospitals around the country to lighten spirits and bring a way to just really touch their souls," Moore said. 

Pacha's Pajamas offers nature-based educational stories that tackle real-life issues with an imaginative approach. 

Moore said he partnered with Per Wickstrom, CEO and president of Battle Creek substance abuse rehabilitation center A Forever Recovery, because both have led efforts to to combat drug use in Michigan neighborhoods, and this event spawned from that relationship.

The pair's anti-drug efforts will be on display Saturday at Ford Field's Hall of Legends in Detroit as both will take part in A Salute to Detroit's Hometown Heroes 2013, where Moore, Wickstrom and a contingent of local celebrities will honor former Detroit Lion Lem Barney, current Detroit Piston Greg Monroe, PVS Chemicals CEO and president James B. Nicholson, State Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and Curtis Enterprises President Michael Curtis Jr., for their efforts to raise awareness of solutions to substance addiction.

The event will benefit Mack Alive and its Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit program and is also sponsored by A Forever Recovery.

Moore feels having local celebrities and athletes spread an anti-drug message can be an effective addition to reminders from parents and teachers.

"To a certain degree, getting the message out in a broad sense goes over really well when you have a celebrity figure who has goodwill and trust built in the community," he said. "We're able to do that as athletes."

Still, he said, the message needs to be reiterated at home.

"Parents and reachers who can touch kids every day need to have interactions that keep pounding home that message of staying away from drugs and staying away from anything that can have a negative impact on lives," he said. "We are the messengers. We are the ones who are trying to make them understand."

While he has been away from the game for 11 years, Moore still is excited for the Detroit Lions' 2013 season.

"If all things align right, I think the Lions, who have the second-toughest schedule in NFL this year, can make playoffs," Moore said. "Where they go from here is up to them."