University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass' Moore thrives on journey
May 02, 2005 | Football
May. 2, 2005
The words are as carefully chosen as are his steps on a pass route. In each case, J.J. Moore is determined to reach his goal, knowing the smallest misstep might force a detour.
His goal, with his words, is to help other people know that if he can make it, so can they.
"I went from (living with) my dad to my mom to my uncle to my aunt to myself," says Moore, 20, the University of Massachusetts football wide receiver who is now in the midst of spring drills. "I got to see a lot of different lifestyles and personalities. I've seen a lot of changes." Try Our Classifieds
The story of J.J. Moore is too easily filed into the category of "student-athlete from disadvantaged background," an admittedly common storyline in major college sports.
But rather, it is one young man's singular journey that has led him through the homes of several relatives, three middle schools and three high schools, yet on track to a college degree - and possibly, a pro football career.
The success he's now achieving follows a life's story that doesn't provide easy listening, but is worth hearing.
"I never thought about the adversity in my life," said Moore, a redshirt freshman this spring. "It was just happening. People have to understand that's just how I grew up.
"I definitely want an education and to be a smarter person," Moore said, downplaying a readily evident, innate intellect. "But I'm a good person."
He admits he doesn't trust people easily. The reason he tells his story is to let others know they can succeed, too, despite the obstacles life presents.
That's why his words are so carefully chosen, and so worthwhile. "J.J. is one of those guys you want to see good things happen to," UMass coach Don Brown said. On a campus far from his home in Florida, Moore is finding his place, and sensing that determination and skill will reward what difficult circumstances threatened to deny.
"Before I was 12, I lived with my dad and stepmom," said Moore, who is one of eight siblings. "I was lucky to have a father, who is still in Fort Myers, doing pretty well. He was there for me."
Moore grew up watching the Red Sox in spring training and playing baseball, a sport he still loves. At 12, he moved in with his mother, who at the time, seemed healthy and vibrant enough to handle the responsibility. She died two years later of an undisclosed illness.
"I never really had the mother experience," Moore said. "It was like a tease. We had all that fun, and then she went away.
"I didn't think a lot about it when I was young," Moore said. "Now, I miss her every day. But it was better to have those two years."
He moved in with his aunt in St. Petersburg. It did not work out well.
"I was always lonely," he said. "There was nothing to do, and I had to stop playing three sports."
In his junior year, he broke his leg playing football. It was his first major injury, as devastating psychologically as physically.
"I told myself I'd never play again," Moore said. "I was scared."
As a senior, he moved in with his uncle in Palmetto, a move that offered an adult male presence and a break from some of the unhappiness in St. Petersburg. He decided to play again.
"That's what I was living for, the only thing I had," Moore said. He broke his hand during his senior year, but there were some positives to Palmetto.
He found some teachers who supported him, and in his uncle, a source of guidance.
"Dad supported me, but he was just a working man," Moore said. "My uncle was involved. He was a coach.
"He was my guardian," Moore said. "That's who was guiding me in the right direction."
After Moore arrived at UMass in 2003, his uncle was sent to prison "for two or three years," said Moore, who chooses not to disclose the reason.
His love for his uncle is undiminished, but the separation is painful.
"It's a different type of love," he said. "I know my aunts love me (too), but they have their own children. I feel like I'm alone."
Moore's story is so poignant, in part, because his complex life has taught him about the complexities of people and their situations. His love of his family is one example.
His view of the Northeast is another.
"People here are good people," he said. "They're smart. You don't know if they're trying to pull something on you, though.
Moore had been recruited by Brown's predecessor, Mark Whipple, who loved the passing game. When Brown came in 2004, he pledged to feature the run.
The player and coach talked it out.
"I trust coach Brown," said Moore. Last year, in his first college season, the 6-foot, 201-pounder caught 32 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns.
His goal remains an NFL career, a high bar for any Division I-AA player to set. UMass wide receiver Jason Peebler and fullback Rich Demers signed free agent contracts this week, though, and Brown says Moore's dream is reasonable.
"He has that potential," the coach said. One of Moore's brothers has played Arena Football, but that's of no interest to him.
In the meantime, the player who spent his youth on the move has found a comfort zone at UMass.
"I love it up here," Moore said. "Before I came here, I hadn't considered I-AA; I wanted to go to junior college."
His choices were limited because of grades.
"I never thought I was going to fail, even in school, until the SATs," Moore said. "I was so far behind (academically), no one thought I'd make it.
"But UMass held out for me," Moore said. "It's been the best thing for me."
He's a person with a mission, mostly for himself, but also for whoever else might benefit.
"If people read about me, they might realize they can make it, too," he said. "They just have to stay positive, like I've done."
