Stamp pays tribute to Moss

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Randy Moss broke down with emotion Friday when the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a limited-edition envelope honoring the New England Patriots wide receiver.

The envelope contains an illustration of Moss, his career and 2007 statistics, a Charleston postmark and a canceled first-class stamp featuring a Patriots helmet.

"I'm not going to (stop) continuing what I set out to do, and that is to better (things) for people here," Moss told a crowd of 250 people during a ceremony at the state Cultural Center. "Not for my good, but for their good to see that there is happiness, that there are better things out there."

Moss grew up in the nearby of Rand. He was a dominant multisport athlete at DuPont High School and starred at Marshall University, leaving after his sophomore season in 1997 for the NFL.

The Postal Service's retail and diversity departments came up with the idea to honor Moss. About 500 of the 5,000 envelopes made available to the public were snatched up at $6 apiece at Appalachian District post offices Friday.

"I need the help from people here in this state … when it comes to these kids and trying to show them there is a better way and a better world," Moss said. "Hopefully somebody 20-30 years from now will be sitting up here receiving this same envelope."

Moss is the third West Virginia athlete to be honored with an envelope. The others were NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West and Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton.