For Edmontonians, Joey Moss is a familiar face, especially around NHL and CFL games. But now, the world is getting to know the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame inductee thanks to a People Magazine feature.
The article focuses on the decades-long friendship between Moss and hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky.
The two met when Gretzky was just 20 years old. He was dating Moss’ sister at the time.
“Pretty much from the day I met him I was conscious that I wanted to make sure he was taken care of,” Gretzky told People Magazine.
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Moss, now 55, has Down syndrome. In the 35 years they’ve known each other, he and Gretzky have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Winnifred Stewart Association, which supports adults with developmental disabilities.
“The heart he presents is second to none,” said Vicky Andress with the WSA. “He shows people that there is a role for our individuals to be contributing members of our society and there’s a lot we can learn from folks like Joe.”
In 1984, Moss became a locker-room attendant for the Edmonton Oilers and has been a fixture since, through four Stanley Cup championships and the more recent tough times.
“Wayne ran it by the organization and the rest is history,” said Stephen Moss, Joey’s younger brother and guardian.
In 1986, Moss also become a locker-room assistant for the Edmonton Eskimos.
Moss continues to split his time between the two teams, working with the Eskimos from the opening of training camp in June through mid-August, before heading over to the Oilers locker-room for the hockey season.
READ MORE: Joey Moss inducted into Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
In 2015, Moss was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Moss was also recognized in 2012 with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
In the People Magazine article, Moss’ brother Stephen said “Joey and Wayne” “have just always just gotten along like peas and carrots.”
The feature hit newstands Friday.
With files from Caley Ramsay and Karen Bartko, Global News
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