FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- When William Moore needs a boost of energy or a shot of inspiration he looks to his wristband, sock, or another piece of equipment that he's marked with the No. 25.
That's the number of a friend and teammate, Aaron O'Neal, who died in July 2005.
"Whenever I feel like I can't go the extra step, I think about Aaron and what he put on the line," the Falcons safety said.
The rookie has only worn the number to honor his friend once. But well before the Falcons drafted him he planned on using the jersey in the NFL. That opportunity will come sooner rather than later.
Cornerback Von Hutchins will give Moore No. 25 in exchange for a donation to the Lupus Foundation of America. Hutchins' mother has lupus, and the six-year veteran supports the Georgia chapter of the foundation.
He said he's happy to help the rookie carry the memory a teammate, adding he has worn four different numbers since high school and isn't attached to No. 25.
"It will be a great opportunity for both of us to do something that's special to both of our hearts," he said.
Moore and O'Neal redshirted as freshmen and spent practices together on the scout team. They relished the opportunity to get the offense ready for the next game and dreamed about their coming time in the spotlight.
"We used to try to disrupt the offense and give them a great look every game," Moore said. " He was so competitive; we clicked from day one... He talked so much about how he wanted to be a Tiger. He grew up with Missouri football. He could not wait to play."
Missouri honored O'Neal through what would have been his four-year career.
The No. 25 was not issued to any player during that span, though seniors took turns wearing it last season. Moore got the jersey on Senior Day. The contents of O'Neal's locker were also left undisturbed for the past four years.
At the Tigers' spring game, the university presented items the team used to honor their teammate to O'Neal's family, including pictures that hung in the locker room. At the same time Moore made his intentions known to the family.
"Aaron is always with me on the field," he said.
The hard-hitting safety found ways to remember O'Neal through college, saying he often thought of his friend during tough times on the practice field.
He finished with a record-breaking career, leaving Missouri as the school's all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns (11). His 284 career tackles rank fourth all-time among Tiger defensive backs.
Moore admits he was nervous about asking Hutchins for the number, but is happy he can honor a friend and support a noble cause.
"I would have done that anyway," he said when asked about his conversation with Hucthins and the subsequent donation. " We're doing two good things at once."
The switch will officially take place at Russell Falcons Training Camp, which opens Aug. 1.
