Overview

Perry Lee Moss (August 4, 1926 – August 7, 2014) was an American football figure whose career spanned playing, coaching and front-office roles. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he played college football in the 1940s and later became one of the early coaches in the Arena Football League. Moss is recognized for his long involvement in the sport at several levels and for his role in developing teams during the early years of indoor football.

Playing career

Moss attended the University of Tulsa and also played at the University of Illinois, appearing in the 1940s as a backfield player. He was used both as a tailback and as a quarterback during his collegiate years, demonstrating versatility in leadership and ball-handling roles. After his college career he was selected in the 1948 professional draft by the Green Bay Packers, a common next step for prominent college backs of that era. His playing years established the foundation for a long coaching career that followed.

Coaching and executive career

Following his time as a player, Moss turned to coaching and football management. He worked in a variety of coaching and personnel positions over several decades, eventually becoming part of the emerging indoor and arena football scene in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1987 he was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bruisers, one of the inaugural teams of the Arena Football League, and in 1991 he was named the first head coach of the Orlando Predators. His work in arena football helped to shape team structures and coaching approaches in that distinct, fast-paced variation of the game.

Notable roles and timeline

Legacy and distinctions

Moss is remembered for his longevity in the sport and for bridging traditional outdoor football with the newer arena game. He served in multiple capacities—player, coach and executive—and his presence in the Arena Football League during its formative years made him a familiar name in the indoor game. Beyond team records, Moss's career is often noted for mentoring players and helping to professionalize operations in smaller, developing leagues.

Personal life and death

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Moss later lived in Florida, where he was honored by state sports institutions. On August 7, 2014, he died at his home in Deltona, Florida. His death was attributed to complications from a neuromuscular disease at the age of 88. For further reading on his life and career, several biographical entries and team histories provide additional detail and context about his long involvement in American football; see a general biography entry here and a team overview here for starting points.

Although Moss is most often cited in connection with the Arena Football League’s early teams, his earlier collegiate and professional associations—especially being selected by the Green Bay Packers—remain part of his public record. His role in building the Orlando Predators and working with the Chicago Bruisers continues to be referenced in histories of indoor football and in retrospective profiles of people who shaped the sport's expansion. Additional archival material and local hall of fame entries can be found through regional sports resources and team histories here and here.