Wayne Moore Jr. recently got a quick dose of the harsh reality of pro sports. After a solid first season with the Lions on special teams, he followed it up with an impressive 2019 training camp and scored the winning touchdown in a thrilling pre-season win over Calgary. Then it was all put on hold. A shoulder injury suffered in the regular season opener against Winnipeg would sideline him for six weeks and temporarily derail his hopes of not only picking up where he left off in the special teams game but also playing a role in the offence. Hindsight being what it is, the experience on the sidelines has only made him stronger in the long run.
“My goals remained the same,” said the former McMaster Marauder.
“Regardless of setbacks, as soon as I got the opportunity to come back and do what I have to do, I’m going to do it. It (the injury) definitely opens my eyes and I felt like I was running around with my head chopped off but it definitely gives you perspective on things. I approached it the same way.”
He made his return to the lineup on August 10th in Hamilton and quickly reminded observers of his versatility. In the three games since his return, Moore has also played a role in offensive packages, racking up 130 yards from scrimmage on 14 carries and three receptions from Mike Reilly. You might want to say versatile is his middle name.
“Any way I can help my team,” stated Moore Jr.
“If they throw me on defence and tell me to play linebacker, I’m going to try and hit someone and knock their helmet off. It’s just the way I was brought up. I’ve got to help my family in any way I can. If I have to do the same with football, then that’s my job.”
On the field, he is ferocious as they come. Off of it, he enjoys being an artist and drawing pictures of his family and friends. Simply put, take the pads off of him and you’d have a hard time envisioning he hits guys for a living.
His mother Doreen followed a couple of her relatives and made the decision to leave Jamaica for Vaughn, Ontario when Wayne was just two years old. She still works at the same Costco where Wayne himself got his first job as a teenager still harbouring dreams of playing football professionally.
“I started working with my mom while I was playing ball and going to college,” explained the running back.
“I eventually stepped away from it when I realized it was possible I could pursue football as a career. I ended up getting drafted and things have kind of played.”
He also never misses an opportunity to catch up with his three-year-old daughter Zahriah who remains back east. If being on the injured list provided a new perspective on life, fatherhood just takes that to whole other level.
“I FaceTime her every single day because family is my foundation,” he said.
“I stay on top of that and ever let that slip away regardless of what my job is. Fatherhood is very humbling and it adds a purpose to my life. I like to say she’s my heart on legs walking around. I’ll do whatever I can to protect her and set a good example. I want to make sure I help her do whatever she wants to do in life.”
After being selected in round two of the 2016 CFL Draft by Montreal and also spending time on Ottawa’s practice roster in 2017 and 2018, Moore has found a football home on the west coast and continues to defy the odds. Originally recommended to Lions’ brass by Canadian scouting director Geroy Simon, Moore Jr. dressed for 13 games after being added to the roster last July and quickly gave the special teams unit a shot in the arm. All you need to do is watch his intensity in practice to find out how dedicated he is.
And now his focus is doing what he can to help this Lions squad win as many games as they can down the stretch.
“I feel playing this game you have to have confidence regardless,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the beginning of the season, last game of the season or the middle. I always have confidence that going into a game, I have a week to prepare and I want to win.”
He’s an artist, no doubt. Whether that’s with a blank sheet or his helmet and pads strapped on.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com