Knights & the NFL

July 2015

"Has Currituck Ever Had an NFL Player?"

When normal, neutral observers are curious about a particular high school's football prowess they often ask, beyond the question of state titles, about school alumni in either the college ranks or the NFL. At Currituck, we know we have had some Knights in college, but very few at the highest levels, and none in a fair share of years. Of course, therefore, we never have had an NFL player. Or have we? Indeed, sometimes, the lack of affirmation, belies the real facts on the ground. As result...

Did you know that Currituck has had a player in the NFL?

Well, I didn't, until recently that is, but ladies and gentlemen, it is true!

Our story begins in 1979 when a young JV Knight was quickly promoted to varsity as a reserve. As a sophomore in 1980, he was expected to provide relief in the linebacker corps but an injury to Knights star Julius Sampson opened a spot for this athlete. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury of his own---a dislocated elbow---in the 1980 preseason and had to sit out the first two weeks. By week three, however, his sheer grit and determination, not to mention size (6 foot, 250) and strength enabled him to rejoin the starting lineup at linebacker and at Center, where he beat out an upperclassmen with a name that may be familiar to many Currituck readers, current County Commissioner Paul O'Neal. After an exceptional two way contribution to a team that finished runner up in the state, this young man then became an established leader for the Knights, winning All Albemarle and Team MVP honors for the 1981 and 1982 seasons. Despite being solidly recruited late in his high tenure, and having a mutual interest in attending the home of two recent Knights standouts, North Carolina State, a poor SAT test score inhibited his ability to reach the pinnacle of the colligate game. Instead, after high school, this athlete at first attended Chowan, but troubles there quickly ended his brief career. After returning to Currituck, one night, he attended a Knights game, only to have a painful realization that he was "wasting his career." Channeling those same qualities which as a young sophomore won him a career in the sport early on, he decided to restart his educational and football journey at Elizabeth City State, inadvertently starting a new Currituck pipeline to college. At ECSU, all of the once great potential remerged as he won 4 All CIAA honors and an All America nod in a career at offensive line that spanned the football seasons of 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. By the time his career with the Vikings ended, he was now 290 pounds, and ran a 4.85 40. Still driven on May 18, 1988, Beau Moore, our story's subject, was given an opportunity unique in Currituck history: a contract, and a small signing bonus, with the Los Angeles Rams.¹

After reporting to camp with the team at Fullerston State University in California, Moore initially, despite his small time roots, held his own with the season pros and more established rookies. In July, though, disaster struck. When Moore had played at Elizabeth City, he suffered a separated shoulder as a junior. Not wanting to sacrifice any further time, Moore played through the pain, and the injury subsided. One day in practice with the Rams, he suffered a stinger, causing the organization to send him for an X-Ray, which reveled three chips in his AC Joint. Declining surgery, Moore elected to compete, but unfortunately for him, the Rams could not afford to keep an injured player of his stature around. Thus, on July 18, 1988, the Los Angeles Rams placed Beau Moore on waivers. Subsequently, Moore had two more try outs, one with Pittsburgh, which was scared off by his injury profile and one with the New York Giants, whose staff deemed him "too short."

Moore's football flame was not extinguished with the Rams' release. He later got at look with the World League and played in the Florida Spring League. Increasingly, Moore took his athletic career in a different direction: power lifting. Eventually, Beau Moore became a world-class lifter and has lifted ever since. Thus, while he never made a NFL regular season contest, Beau Moore today benches well over 500 pounds at the age of 50, which all in all, seems to be a far greater athletic achievement. Nevertheless, for a brief period of time, from May 18 until July 18, of the year 1988, we can all say Currituck has had one of our own on an NFL Roster. Thanks for making us all proud, Beau!

¹ I would like to thank the St. Louis Rams organization for promptly and kindly responding to my request for information regarding the dates of Beau's playing career.

KNIGHTS IN THE NFL

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Beau Moore

1988 Training Camp