Colts Q&A: Kenny Moore, the accidental football player

IndyStar Colts Insider Stephen Holder will talk with a member of the team each week for a wide-ranging, offbeat conversation that sheds light on their personality, background and interests.

This week: rookie cornerback Kenny Moore.

Question: I understand that you didn’t play high school football until your senior year. What’s the story behind that?

Answer: I was in the state finals for track in 11th grade and a guy who ran hurdles with me was a starting cornerback. Long story short, he ended up getting in trouble with drugs and got kicked off the team. So, he came to me probably a week later and said, ‘I think you should go try out for my spot.’ He explained to me there were young corners but he said he trusted me to get the job done. And he ended up convincing me to do it.

Q: So, wait. You had never played football?

A: I played in middle school and little league. But in high school, no.

Q: So, why did your friend have so much faith in you?

A: I was already playing basketball and I played soccer in high school, too. I also played baseball growing up. In my first year running track, 11th grade, I went to state. So, he just felt that I could conquer anything. I told him I liked a challenge.

Q: So, what were your expectations going into it?

A: I mean, I’m a senior high school (playing for the first time). I didn’t think I was going to play. But the coaches worked me and worked me and I ended up getting the starting spot. I started every game that season. Then, going to college (at Valdosta State), I was like, ‘O.K. let’s be real: I’m just gonna redshirt.’ I actually really wanted to go to the Air Force. I was going to enlist during my freshman year.

Q: So, you weren’t even taking football seriously at this point, were you?

A: I don’t know. It was one of those phases of life where you just decide to do something. I think it was God. Because I told myself if I didn’t play my freshman year, I would just walk away and go to the Air Force that January. I had already taken the test and everything. But I ended up playing my freshman year. I had a pretty good season, too. I had about 18 tackles and I had an interception in our rivalry game. So, I ended up staying.

Q: So, if you hadn’t played that year…?

A: I’d be in the Air Force right now.

Q: So, when you were in college and started playing, could you have envisioned playing in the NFL?

A: Man, no. But every year, my stats would double. So, I was thinking, ‘Well, I’m getting the hang of it.’ But I was never talking (NFL). People would ask me, ‘You’re becoming a good player. Do you see yourself ever playing in the NFL?’ I would just say if the opportunity came, I would love it. But I wasn’t stressing about it. I had a new defensive coordinator every year in college. I actually thought my chances were getting slimmer because of that. I didn’t even know what it took to get to the NFL. But the coaches put it in my head and I started to accept it.

Q: Fast forward a few years and you end up signing a rookie free agent deal with New England; did you ever make a play against Tom Brady in practice?

A: I did make some plays against Tom Brady, but never an interception. He’s a competitive guy, man. But they always gave me opportunities against the (starters). I ended up moving up to second-team behind Malcolm Butler. They gave me a lot of reps, actually. I did the best I could. (Moore was waived in September and claimed by the Colts).

Q: So, you have a twin sister. Are you guys close?

A: Yeah. It’ll be good to see her this weekend (in Jacksonville). Funny thing is my dad was 6-2 and I always tell my sister, ‘I’m so short (5-9) because of you! I had to split all my genes! (laughs).’ She’s 5-10, believe it or not. She’s taller than me. It makes me mad every time I see her. It’s so crazy.

Q: Didn’t your father pass away recently?

A: Yes, in February of 2016. He had kidney and liver failure. He was sick for a while. Thing is, I didn’t really have a relationship with him until November of 2015. I didn’t know my dad when I was growing up.

Q: Are you glad you were able to connect with him?

A: I am. Definitely. He was never the type to talk about the past. And I never brought up the past about him and my mom.

Q: But you had to forgive him to even establish that relationship, right?

A: I did, yes. There are some things in life that you have to put your pride aside for. I didn’t go down that road. I just knew that for the rest of my life, I wanted to know him. I got to know him a little bit before he died, and I’m glad I did.

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