Arthur Moats Continues to be Awesome
Arthur Moats, the JMU alum and Buffalo Bills linebacker, befriended a severely injured police officer and inspired him to get well. Because of course he did. He’s Arthur Moats and that’s just the sort of thing he does.
This is just the latest action by Moats that should make us all proud to call him a Duke. He’s done some pretty great things in his young NFL career. Off the top of my head here are just a few:
- Returned to JMU after his rookie season and earned his degree during the NFL lockout
- Handled countless interviews with class after delivering the hit that ended Brett Favre’s consecutive games streak
- Helped a family that lost everything in a fire get back on its feet
- Gave his time to the United Way to help raise awareness and thank the givers
- Attended a seemingly endless number of events helping the greater Buffalo community
- Visited schools, hospitals, and basically anywhere else where he could make a positive impact on kids
- Prepared for life after football by completing an internship at the University of Buffalo last offseason
- Followed up the internship by applying and getting accepted to a master’s program focused on community and economic development
- Earned his own hashtag
- Helped raise money to fight cancer
- Further endeared himself to the Buffalo faithful by embracing the Sabres (even as a Caps fan, it’s pretty cool to see him mix it up on Twitter with Sabres fans during games)
- Basically blended right in by becoming the football player next door
The point is that Moats is pretty great. We’re all too familiar with the stories of pro athletes doing dumb things. Most of us like to believe that if we were blessed enough to play sports professionally, we’d have the perspective and wisdom to appreciate it, make a positive impact on the community, and plan for a life after the game. Obviously, wealthy and talented 20 something placed in that situation don’t always do that though. I probably wouldn’t have. But Moats does. And the NFL, greater Buffalo, and our own JMU community are better off as a result.
You couldn’t write a textbook about a more perfect pro-athlete role model.
Ok, I hate to do this to you, because I love this blog and love seeing any mention of Buffalo and JMU together. But… you misspelled ‘Sabres’. On the subject of Moats, Buffalo has totally fallen in love with this guy, for all the reasons you mention. We all keep our fingers crossed each training camp and preseason that he’ll make the team and get playing time. I think he could have a really good year in our new defense, where he should get to rush the passer more often.
Thanks for pointing out the typo Luke. Fixed it.
Arthur makes me SO PROUD to be a fellow JMU alum. Love that guy.
As much as I enjoy reading these ‘feel good’ stories, I am so ready for some football and to see what we really have on the field!
@Deacon Danny yes! It’s great to shine a light on Moats, but Todd and I are so ready to put all of the random stuff behind us and start writing about actual football games again.
Have a great weekend y’all.