RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Hermitage's Moser still going strong at age 68

I have one last wish to add to my Christmas list for 2001.
I wish that Hermitage's football superman, Steve Moser, will be playing his favorite sport at the age of 100. At the rate he's going that doesn't seem to be too far-fetched.
Last October, Moser celebrated his 68th birthday, thus officially becoming the oldest active football player in the world. And if you don't believe it, check the Internet.
Better yet, ask Santa Claus.
Steve stopped the other day, dropping off a tape of his latest escapades in the world of sports.
"I hope to play for another two or three years," Moser said. "At least I'll play as long as my muscles hold up. I'm still capable of kicking field goals as my range is very good from 45 yards out and I can still hit the corners if I want to."
Plays in Pittsburgh: Moser plays for the Pittsburgh Colts in the Minor Pro Football League and Saturday, while playing for the U.S.A All-Stars, his team went up against The Orlando Guardians in Orlando, Fla.
The Guardians are comprised of All-Stars from the Orlando police and fire departments. All proceeds from the contest will be turned over to victims of the Sept. 11 attack by the terrorists.
Moser has been playing semi-pro football for a number of years now. He holds all kinds of records including: the oldest rookie to ever begin playing the game at age 37; the oldest player to score in the game; playing with the most teams in his career (16) and of course, the oldest active player to ever compete.
Moser has never lacked for publicity. With his age and playing ability, he's the focal point of every team he's played for down through the years. This past season with the Colts, Moser shared the kicking chores with Jim Cznerkowski. The duties were shared for the first six games with Moser handling all of the kicking chores in the final four.
Good season: The Colts went 5-5 this season and Moser tallied 21 points, 18 extra points and one field goal. "We had an awful lot of injuries this season," Moser explained, "especially to our linemen. I got banged up two or three times myself, but nothing serious."
On the tape Moser gave me, there were film clips of a number of interviews he had done in the past, at WKBN Channel 27 in Youngstown, Fox Sports Channel and WTAE Channel 4 in Pittsburgh.
When he's not performing, Moser has kept busy by coaching a number of high school players, giving clinics and offering advice to those who are looking for it.
A native of Yugoslavia, Moser played pro soccer in his younger years. He came to the U.S. in 1956 but didn't get involved in football until he was 37.
He's no flash in the pan either, having had tryouts with the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For his efforts, Moser was inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame in 1992.
Last spring, Steve competed for the All-Stars in the big Casino Bowl in Las Vegas. The team features players from 19 states.
"I've already been invited to compete in the Casino Bowl VII in 2002," Moser related. That one is scheduled for April 6 in Vegas."
One member of the media has suggested that should Moser continue to play the game, he may need a wheelchair to get onto the field. Moser won't mind as long as his kicking leg is healthy.
The game in Orlando Saturday, supposedly closed out the season for the U.S.A. All-Stars. Guess who is already looking forward to spring training camp?
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!