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MOON, WARE, WATSON AND YOUNG LAUNCH BROTHERS IN ARMS

Feb 14, 2020

Houston’s Legendary African-American QBs To Award Diversity Scholarships

HOUSTON – They’re Brothers in Arms. Four Houston legends. Four African-American quarterbacks who either paved the way, raised the bar orredefined the landscape of the QB position over the past four decades.
Four men raised by single mothers who emphasized education, lending a hand to those in need and giving back.

Four legends who are linking those powerful arms to change lives in the Houston area.

Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware, Hall of Famer Warren Moon, Texas Longhorn legend Vince Young and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson have come together to form Brothers In Arms which, in partnership with the Sports Authority Foundation, will award its first class of diversity scholarships at the 2020 Houston Sports Awards presented by Insperity on January 21 at the Hilton Americas.

Scholarship information and applications are now available online at www.BrothersInArmsHouston.com. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2019
Moon helped pave the way for African American quarterbacks in professional football. He started his career in the Canadian Football League, then played for the Houston Oilers from 1984-1993. In 2005, he was the first African American QB to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I feel like everybody can’t be a professional athlete, but I think everybody has the ability to learn if given that opportunity,” Moon said. “And if you’re given that opportunity and take advantage of it, you have a chance to compete and be successful in this world. That’s why education has been so important to me, and I can’t think of a better group of guys to be partnering with. They truly are my brothers, in more ways than one.”

Ware, who grew up in Dickinson, ran the University of Houston’s run-and-shoot offense to perfection and, in 1989, became the first African American quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy. He was a first-round draft pick for Detroit Lions.

“I promised my mom no matter how much success I had on the football field, that I would graduate from college and earn my degree, and I did that. I’m as proud of that as anything else I may have accomplished along the way. An education is a life changer!” Ware said.

“To team up with these guys who I have so much respect for is really powerful. We all have a common goal and that’s to make a difference and potentially help better the life of some kids who have the same challenges and aspirations that we did. That’s why we’ve come together, that’s what Brothers In Arms is all about.”

Young, who grew up in Houston and played at Madison High, went on to lead the University of Texas to a National Championship in a come-from-behind 41-38 win over USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. On fourth down, Young scrambled for the winning touchdown with 19 seconds left in the game.
‘Believe it or not, getting my degree from the University of Texas is the most important thing I ever did at that school – that’s what I want kids to know,’’ Young said, “And to be able to tell that story, alongside Warren Moon, Andre Ware & Deshaun Watson is an incredible opportunity for all us. We all shared something here in Houston, and together, we want to pay it forward.”

Watson is in his third year as the starter for the Houston Texans. A former first-round draft pick, he led Clemson to the National Championship in 2016.