Warren Moon, left, former Houston Oilers quarterback, cheers on his team as they play “Financial Football,” a computer game designed to teach fiscal responsibility Tuesday. Students from both Texas City and Ball High Schools participated in the event.
GALVESTON — The Texans and Cowboys played to a 7-7 tie Tuesday morning.
The back-and-forth contest took place in the middle of the Ball High weight room.
Texas First Bank, along with Visa Inc., introduced “Financial Football” — an NFL-themed interactive video game that teaches money management skills — to 40 students from Ball and Texas City.
The Stings played as the Dallas Cowboys and were appropriately coached by current Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter. NFL Hall of Famer and former Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon coached the Tors, who controlled the Texans.
The game got pretty heated with several students standing up or sitting at the edge of their seats. Texas City linebacker and Cowboys player Kaleb Apffel even started calling out blitzes to Stings coach Tim Finn.
It didn’t work as the Texans tied the game at 7-7.
“It was just fun,” Apffel said. “I was getting into it.”
The ball is moved down the field by answering multiple-choice questions on financial management.
The more difficult question, the more yardage gained. If a wrong answer is given, the team gets penalized or sacked.
The goal is to score a touchdown and lead your team to glory while picking up some knowledge about finance.
“We really believe managing money is just as important as dissecting a frog,” Visa Educational Director Jason Alderman said. “This is something you need to know for all your life that you will always need. It’s not about how much money you make, but how you manage that money.”
The 40 Galveston County students got tested on everything from money markets to equity to savings accounts. Each school also received 10 Apple MacBooks, which allow students to play the game anywhere in the building.
Alderman credited Texas First Bank Board Chairman Matt Doyle for bringing “Financial Football” to the county. Alderman introduced the game to Doyle at the high school leadership conference hosted by Texas First Bank.
“Money management skills are important to the future success of these students,” Doyle said.
Both Moon and Carpenter gave brief speeches before the game. They expressed the need to save money despite the message society might send.
“We live in an instant gratification society where the American dream is Prada, an Escalade or Coach,” Carpenter said. “Well, what happens when you turn 40 and you don’t have any money?”
Moon said it was good to be back in Houston, where he has fond memories of playing.
“I always love coming back,” Moon said. “And this message, this game is very important. It’s a life lesson you will always use.”
Moon then took his seat with the Tors/Texans. Carpenter huddled with the Stings/Cowboys. The game lasted just one possession each, though it can be played four quarters.
The Cowboys scored rather easily, missing just one question. The Texans responded well with three straight correct answers but missed the next one, causing a second-and-14.
Despite some heckling and blitz calls from Apffel, the Texans converted with two correct responses on medium questions.
The score ignited several cheers.
“We didn’t want to lose,” Ball senior Justin Galavez said. “I didn’t know finance could be this fun.”
