Making right call a lifesaver for Moore
Safety used football, faith to steer clear of gangs in Los Angeles
Striding up a steep hill adjacent to the Texans’ practice field Wednesday, Rahim Moore kept accelerating until he reached the top.
As the free safety dashed up the incline again and again following a practice under the unforgiving Texas sun, the foot-long surgical scar that runs down his left calf provided a reminder of the adversity Moore has overcome.
Beyond the wide, jagged scar on his leg — the aftermath of emergency surgery two years ago for acute compartment syndrome, a rare exercise-induced condition of excessive swelling and pressure inside the muscles causing decreased blood flow that can damage muscles permanently if not treated in time — Moore has endured more than nearly having to have his leg amputated.
“My scars tell a story,” Moore said. “In the long run, it’s going to be a great one, and it’s going to end great. It hasn’t all been sweet as candy, but that’s why you persevere.”
Growing up in the gang-ridden South Central section of Los Angeles, Moore arrived at a crossroads at a young age. Drive-by shootings and murders were commonplace in Moore’s neigh-
borhood, and he was facing peer pressure to join the gang lifestyle dominated by warring factions of the Crips and the Bloods.
Moore insists that if not for his mother, Nowana Buchanan, a longtime bank employee who raised him on her own, and his deep Christian faith, he probably wouldn’t be playing in the NFL or even alive today.
“I really believe if I didn’t have God or football, I would be down that path I didn’t want to be a part of,” said Moore, the Texans’ new starting free safety who played the first four years of his career with the Denver Broncos. “I was either going to play football or be in the streets in tons of gang violence.
“A lot of that is due to my mom. Her introducing God in my life and us being Christians helped us overcome those obstacles. Football saved my life. It kept me out of trouble, because if there’s no football, then what else is there to do?”
A blue-chip recruit, Moore became an All-America defensive back who had 112 tackles and eight interceptions as a UCLA senior and doubled as a champion sprinter.
Meanwhile, many of his friends fell by the wayside — murdered or injured due to gang violence or serving time in prison.
“A lot of my close friends were gang-bangers or in gang violence,” Moore said. “I just thank God I didn’t have to go down that route, because I could have easily done that. The experience I had is I could either hang out with them or go play football. My love and passion for football was so much that I couldn’t stray from that.
“I’ve still got friends and homies doing the same stuff with the gangs. I still stay in contact with them. I preach and pray for them and try to instill what’s right. Once you get consumed with something, it’s hard to change.”
Moore traveled a different path.
A sociology major, he was an honor-roll student at UCLA before becoming the Broncos’ second-round draft pick in 2011.
Today, the 25-year-old says he’s grateful for his life and livelihood. Moore got married last year, and his wife is a fixture at the Texans’ practices, with the couple spending time together next to the practice field after his football obligations are met.
“They say it’s not how you used to live; it’s how you live today,” Moore said. “I give all the glory to God for getting me out of the struggle. My family doesn’t have to worry anymore.
“You can sit here and complain, but there’s always somebody that had it worse. If I didn’t have my mom in my life, lord knows where I would be now.” Paying it forward
Signed to a three-year, $12.005 million contract that included a $3 million signing bonus and $4.5 million guaranteed, Moore is a big believer in paying back the football program that launched his career.
He has devoted financial resources to Dorsey High School, donating money for new helmets, jerseys and equipment. In the next year, he wants to pay for a new weight room.
“In the inner city, it’s tough,” Moore said. “People are struggling. I struggled. We never were fortunate to have the top-notch gear. I’ve always wanted to give back, because I love Dorsey.
“I gave them a good portion of money. I want to see my high school do well. It’s the reason why I’m here. Dorsey showed me a lot.”
Moore’s first memory of wanting to be football player goes back to when he was 6 and playing in his front yard. He slammed into his cousin with such an impact that his mother became convinced it was time to get her son involved in the sport.
“I loved to hit,” Moore said. “I remember thinking about how the football field was a place where you could be rough or bad. If you did something bad at home, you were in trouble with Mom.”
As Moore was growing up, his older brother was in and out of jail. Now, Moore said, his brother has dramatically changed his life.
“He’s free. He’s doing fantastic,” Moore said. “He’s engaged and has two beautiful children.”
Moore was acquired to stabilize the deep middle of the Texans’ secondary and inject a play-making presence. Tall and fast at 6-1, 195 pounds, he can be heard yelling out defensive adjustments and encouraging teammates on the practice field.
“He’s very vocal out there. A guy like that has played a ton of ball,” cornerback Kareem Jackson said. “Just being around him in the film room and on the field, you can tell right off that he is very vocal, very confident in what he does.”
Moore is a big believer in the value of mentors. For him, they include retired Ravens and Texan safety Ed Reed, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year; former Broncos safeties Steve Atwater and Brian Dawkins; former Seahawks safety Kenny Easley; and former Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey.
“Ed was the best football player I ever saw,” Moore said. “I watched film of him this week. I hope I can reach that level, because that’s second to none. I learned from Champ. He told me, ‘Rahim, if you want to be great, it starts today. It starts right now in this drill.’ ” Facing former team
Preparing to play against his old team Saturday night at NRG Stadium, Moore wasn’t happy with his preseason debut with the Texans last week. It wasn’t his sharpest performance in terms of tackling and pursuit angles. He missed a few tackles and had no statistics. But Moore is determined to improve.
“I didn’t like my performance the first game,” he said. “I was a little anxious, but I felt like I let the team down. I approach practice differently, as if I could get cut. Seriously, that’s how bad I felt. You always want to improve and be real with yourself, and that’s one thing I am. The film doesn’t lie. It tells the truth.”
In his four seasons with the Broncos, Moore had 196 tackles and intercepted eight passes.
“I love the game of football, and my love now is for the Texans,” he said. “My love was once for the Broncos. I have no hard feelings.”
That sentiment applies to his life, which has come a long way from California. Moore feels blessed, safe and happy.
“I’m an appreciative guy,” Moore said. “I’m grateful for everything that’s happened, for everything I have, and for everyone I have in my life. I really believe this is going to be my best season.”