Football Pro Inducted into Natomas High Hall of Fame

Natomas Unified superintendent Chris Evans, Inderkum football coach Terry Stark, Natomas High principal Mark Beebe with hall-of-fame inductees Marlon Moore, John Sleuter and Gayle Lininger at the 10th annual NHS Athletic Boosters Club crab feed fundraiser. / Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern

BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Six years ago Marlon Moore was riding high.

The former Natomas High School standout receiver was coming off a stellar sophomore season at Fresno State where he was the top receiver for the Bulldogs.

Then tragedy struck. Moore’s father, Ernie, died of cancer in 2008. The two were as close as a father and son could be – Ernie helped Marlon on and off the field.

A then-20-year old Moore was devastated by the loss.

“It took a toll on me,” Moore said. “It was something I had to overcome.”

All of those memories came flooding back Saturday night when Moore was inducted into the Natomas High School Athletic Boosters Club Hall of Fame. The NFL receiver held back tears as he honored his father.

“This is real unexpected to come back here. I never thought I’d be in any hall of fame. This shocked me,” Moore said. “I really appreciate it. It’s not just for me, it’s a tribute to my dad as well.

“For him not to be here with me to see some of his hard work that he instilled in me pay off, it hurts. But at the same time, it was a blessing.”

Along with Moore, the Natomas High School Booster Club also inducted softball coach John Sleuter and Gayle Lininger during the 10th annual booster club crab feed fundraiser held Feb. 15 at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza.

Moore, an NFL wide receiver currently on the roster with the Miami Dolphins, was introduced by former Nighthawks football coach Terry Stark, who now coaches at Inderkum High School.

Moore started out as a standout basketball player at Natomas High. But Stark consistently reminded him that he could become something special on the football field.

“He would tell me, ‘you’re good in basketball, but you’re not going to go anywhere in basketball.’ I just appreciate him keeping it real with me,” Moore said.

Added Stark: “Marlon was special. He was guy who loved playing sports, basketball or football, it didn’t matter. He was a great student and great individual in school.”

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marlon Moore with former coach Terry Stark at the 10th annual NHS Athletic Boosters crab feed fundraiser held Saturday. / Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern