{
  "id": 5703674,
  "title": "T-Willie Moore begins year 55 officiating LHSAA high school football",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/t-willie-moore-begins-year-55-officiating-lhsaa-high-school-football",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T03:07:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/t-willie-moore-begins-55-030741107.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Anyone searching for the indefatigable T-Willie Moore during Louisiana's high school football season wouldn't need to look far. Just head to any Northwest Louisiana football stadium and locate the man sporting a white hat and striped shirt. The 79-year-old Moore commenced the 2026 season, his 55th as an LHSAA referee, at Lee Hedges stadium where Loyola Prep and Captain Shreve met on Friday, September 4, with the Flyers emerging victorious 48-28. He began his night as he always does, with a midfield meeting to review sportsmanship rules and conduct the coin toss with the team captains. Prior to that, he moved around the sidelines, distributing goodwill and engaging with spectators who couldn't believe he was still officiating. \"It's a lot of fun officiating with T-Willie because he gets along with everyone,\" remarked Homer's Paul Garner, a 73-year-old crew member. Moore's enduring presence in the sport can be attributed to his dedication to the game. \"It's all about the kids. It's not about me. It's about training umpires and things like that,\" he explained, still officiating at an age advanced for many. Moore also has a storied career in baseball umpiring, having officiated the sport for 57 years. Marc Gibson, a Southland Conference basketball official who has known Moore for over 40 years, has viewed him as a mentor, particularly in baseball. Gibson praised Moore's ability to instruct and train officials, emphasizing his adherence to field mechanics. Despite not yet being inducted into a hall of fame, Moore remains focused on the present. \"I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing,\" he said, \"One year at a time.\"",
  "summary": "At 79 years old, T-Willie Moore is still officiating Louisiana high school football, now in his 55th season on the field. He was leading his crew Friday for Loyola Prep-Captain Shreve.",
  "key_points": [
    "T-Willie Moore begins 55th year officiating LHSAA football",
    "Moore started 2026 season on September 4 at Lee Hedges",
    "Moore known for sportsmanship, dedication to youth"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}