Philadelphia Inquirer

July 26, 1974

By Dave Sims

Moses Makes Return A Triumphant One


So Moses does make a return visit to the Promised Land.

Make that Moses Lajterman, kicker for the New York Stars. This Moses beat the Bell with a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter at JFK Stadium Thursday night.

Lajterman, a 5-9, 170-pounder from Montclair State, was with the Stars during training camp, battling Pete Rajecki, now out with bruised ribs, for the kicker's job.

Moses was cut loose then, although he says he and Rajecki were performing at an equal level.

"When I first got cut," he said, "I was disappointed. Then I thought I had a chance to play in the NFL. Rajecki and I were very even during camp. That's the way I saw it."

"I got down on myself which I shouldn't do," he continued, "and I was watching the WFL on TV and I knew I could make it."

"When the Stars released me (coach Babe) Parilli said he would call me."

When that time came, it was a choice between remaining a sales representative or becoming a football player.

"When I talked to Parilli, he told me either Dannon Yogurt or football. I figured I worked too hard not to go back."

Moses said he had his doubts about the chances of making a good kick against the Bell. He had to overcome a couple of problems.

"I knew it was a bad hold," he explained. "I don't know what happened. I don't know if it was a bad snap or what. Tom Sherman made a great recovery. I knew it was a good kick. The ref told me it made it by two to three feet."

This was Moses return to the town of winners. He had earlier done a stint with the Bell.

"I didn't like the way they treated me," he said. "It was bad."

"It wasn't really a tryout." Moses noted. "I guess I came too late to be seen."

"They already had a kicker. I don't blame them."

For Parilli, he believed justice had finally served his team.