Texas wide receiver Joshua Moore’s story is the perfect example of resilience.
The redshirt sophomore has had a difficult journey on and off the field after arriving in Austin. As a true freshman, Moore appeared in six games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
In July of the following year, Moore was arrested in downtown Austin for carrying a loaded gun without a license. Texas head coach Tom Herman could have easily dismissed him from the program and stripped away Moore’s ultimate dream of playing at the University of Texas.
Instead, he brought him closer.
It’s clear that Herman wanted Moore to succeed in every aspect of life, not just as a player. Although Moore suffered a season-long suspension that did not allow him to compete in any games throughout the 2019 season, he was still able to participate every day in practice.
Herman continued to hold Moore accountable while he spent a year undergoing self-reflection, growth and discipline. While speaking to the media via a Zoom conference call on Tuesday, Moore admitted to being emotional each day that he wasn’t able to participate.
“To be honest, every game that I didn’t play in last year, I cried. Just me being who I am, I love football, grew up around football, coming here was my dream.”
Moore eventually received deferred adjudication for the misdemeanor charge. Considering the coaching staff was aware of how well he was progressing throughout practices, Moore immediately became a name to watch on Texas’ depth chart after wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson departed to the NFL.
To cap off the fresh start, Moore decided to wear No. 6 this season. This jersey number was previously occupied by Devin Duvernay — Texas’ leading receiver in 2019.
There’s some type of good karma surrounding that particular number.
Not only does Duvernay’s production and success throughout his collegiate career speak for itself — and potentially for what’s to come with Moore — this particular number is oddly noteworthy in the first game of each season.
In three straight season openers, the player wearing No. 6 has recorded the first touchdown for the Longhorns. Duvernay had the first touchdown reception for each of the previous two openers, while Moore exploded with a 78-yard touchdown in Texas’ season opener against UTEP.
Moore’s family couldn’t hold back their emotions as they witnessed his return to the field. His mother, sister and father instantly began to shed tears after his unbelievable start.
After 14 months of fighting through adversity, his hard work and resiliency paid off with six receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown in Texas’ first game of the season.
His redemption story is just beginning, but it’s certainly one to be admired.