Donn Moomaw

Donn Dement Moomaw (October 15, 1931 – February 10, 2025) was an American football player and Presbyterian minister. He was born in Santa Ana, California. In the 1950s, he played for Toronto Argonauts and for Ottawa Rough Riders. He was also a member of the California State Board of Education from 1968 to 1972.^[1]

Moomaw in January 1981

Football career

Moomaw played for UCLA as the center and linebacker for the team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.^[2]

In 1953, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. However, he did not play in the NFL, noting that he did not want to play football on Sundays.^[3][4] Moomaw signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League since they did not play on Sundays.^[3]

Ministry career

Moomaw later became a Presbyterian minister, most notably serving Los Angeles' Bel Air Presbyterian Church as pastor from 1964 to 1993. He became friends with California Governor Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy. Moomaw later gave the invocation and benediction at Reagan's 1981 presidential inauguration and 1985 presidential inauguration.^[1]

In 1993, he was forced to resign from the ministry as a result of "sexual contact" with five women.^[5]

Death

Moomaw died on February 10, 2025 in Pasadena, California at the age of 93.^[1]