The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Former football foes renew acquaintances after 60 years
02.27.2015 | Football
Longhorn Howard Moon and Washington State RB Duke Washington meet for first time since playing in Austin; Washington was first African-American to suit up in Memorial Stadium
Two former college football players had a special reunion Thursday as former Texas Longhorn Howard Moon and Washington State's Duke Washington met for the first in more than 60 years.
Back on Oct. 2, 1954, Moon was a senior starting end for the Longhorns and Washington was a standout senior running back for the Cougars when the teams faced each other at Memorial Stadium. Washington made history that day in Austin, becoming the first African-American to play football in what is now Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The Longhorns rolled to a 40-14 victory, but Washington had one of the Cougars' touchdowns, scoring on a 73-yard run and helped WSU roll up 233 rushing yards.
The two men had not seen each other since that game, but got together in Seattle at Washington's home to reminisce and even tried to replicate their handshake prior to the game when they met for the coin toss as captains.
Both players lettered from 1952 to '54.