Moore knows all about football miracles

He may be a permanent resident of Saskatchewan these days; but The Steel City Miracle makes sure that Spencer Moore is never too far from home.

Born in Hamilton, Moore grew up watching Ticat games at the old Ivor Wynne Stadium. He played his high school football at St. Jean de Brebeuf, then won a Vanier Cup with the McMaster Marauders before being drafted by the Roughriders in 2013. He signed a contract extension last week that should keep in green and white for the foreseeable future.

But it is the now-famous play from the 2008 Hamilton Catholic high school league semifinal that helps keep Moore connected to his hometown. Trailing 15-10 with just two seconds left against Cardinal Newman, Moore caught a pass from quarterback Kwasi Kwajah, fired off the first of five laterals, then made a final, cross-field backward pass to Kwajah that set up his teammates’ 40-yard scamper into the end zone and victory. A clip of the play lives on via YouTube.

“I get messages on Facebook from guys at least once a year reminiscing about it,” Moore said. “It’s one of those things that will connect us forever.”

Moore now lives in Regina yearround, spending his off-seasons there as well. His relationship with a local lady is certainly a motivating factor.

But it also makes sense to put down roots in a community where football is an essential element of the social fabric.

“When things are going well, there’s no better place to be; but when they aren’t, it can be tough because the fans are so passionate,” Moore said. “But even when we’re losing games, they stick with us.”

The Riders were a dismal 3-15 last season; so they made wholesale changes to their front office and coaching staff, bringing in Chris Jones — fresh off a Grey Cup win as head coach of the Eskimos — to run the show. Moore decided to introduce himself to the new boss shortly after Jones arrived.

“They wanted me to stay and I wanted to be here, so it worked out great.”

Like most young Canadian players, Moore has played mostly special teams in his 35 games with the Riders, picking up 14 tackles, while also contributing on offence with nine receptions for 55 yards. A receiver in high school and university, Moore was converted to fullback by the Riders to take advantage of his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame.

“The types of blocking I’m doing now as a fullback wasn’t something that I was accustomed to, so I’ve worked hard to develop those skills,” Moore said.

Hard work: the thing that leads to miracles.