To protect and to serve
Steven Moore has spent the better part of the past four years protecting Cal’s quarterbacks, so it should come as no surprise that the senior offensive lineman wants to stay in the protection business when he graduates.
Moore wants to be a police officer after getting his legal studies degree, a desire he says has strengthened in wake of scrutiny on cops for a recent rash of controversial shootings.
“I think there are a lot of good people in every walk of life,” Moore said. “Just like there are bad doctors, there are going to be bad police officers. Just like there are bad coaches, there are bad police officers. I want to be a good police officer and show that they’re not all bad people. This is all leading me more toward it, because I want to help people. …
“I’m not going to turn away, just because of the way things have been going. There need to be good cops out there, and people need to know that there are good cops out there. I think the cameras are great, because it isn’t right what’s been going on. I want to be a cop people can trust and a cop who helps people.”
The 6-foot-6, 310-pound right tackle has played in a team-leading 41 career games, including a teamleading 40 starts. He has made a career of helping his teammates, leading an offensive line that protected the pocket for the Bears to set the school’s single-season marks in passing yards (4,982) and passing touchdowns (44) in 2015.
The Bears are at it again this season, heading into a stiff defensive test Saturday from Utah, leading the Pac-12 in total offense (594.5 yards per game) and passing offense (459.2 yards per game) as pressure rarely comes from Moore’s side.
“He’s been really consistent,” Cal head coach Sonny Dykes said. “He’s played a lot of football for us, and he’s playing his best football right now. He’s a mature, strong, steady presence for us. He’s been through a lot and seen a lot of things, and he does things the right way.
“He’s a great role model for all of the young players.”
Cal offensive line coach Brandon Jones uses a plusand-minus system to grade linemen on each play during a game. A lineman might get a plus for doing his job correctly, a minus for being in the right position but failing to finish a block and a double minus for a sack or a penalty.
Moore takes it a step further, critiquing the intricacies of his technique (hand position, pad level, etc.) on each play.
“I think I hold myself to do the right things and not mess up,” Moore said. “When I do mess up on a specific play, I’m pretty hard on myself. I think my teammates see that and know that being perfect is something that you should try to obtain.”
If they don’t see it, Moore says it.
Whenever offensive coordinator Jake Spavital calls the game’s first running play, Moore is in everybody’s ear. He demands that the line open a hole for 4 or 5 yards, so the coaching staff will gain some faith in the running game.
“We’ve got to be able to run the ball early, because that’s what gives the coaches trust in running the ball,” Moore said. “If it’s not working early, then why would they call it late?”
“About the only good thing I can say about (Moore) is that it’s his birthday,” Jones said as Moore walked by this week. “No, I think the world of him. I’m hard on him. He’s grown up quite a bit this past year. He’s a standup kid. There aren’t enough good things I can say about him, when he’s not around.
“I think whatever he puts his mind to, he’ll be great at it.” For now, that’s football. For next, that’s being a police officer.
“There are a whole bunch of jobs I can do with a Cal degree, but this is what I want to do even more,” Moore said. “I’ve always wanted to help people, and I don’t see myself sitting behind a desk.
“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, and I think this is the time to do it.”