When Kenny Moore II made it to the NFL, he never forgot the community that helped get him there. After wrapping up his rookie season in 2018, the Lowndes High and Valdosta State alum returned home to host his first football camp. Through his Love One Foundation, Moore continues to pour into the same community that once poured into him.
“I think we have done a good job having the resources and being a part of the community. I think this is just another kind of an advocacy program of everything we have in town. It’s less about me but more so about how I can join arms with everyone in this community for good measure,” Moore said.
More than a game
While the drills, competitions and instruction are what bring these kids out, Moore knows the biggest impact of the day may come from the conversations between reps.
“I was just talking to a kid a couple minutes ago. He asked me if there were times I wanted to quit. And it’s like wow. Yes. Because I remember how hard it was at Valdosta State, how hard the spring practices were,” Moore said. “I remember that fight in me where I was just like, dang, this might not be for me. My freshman year or when I was in New England and different times in my life when I thought I was done, I thought I had to figure out something else. But I told him I do it for guys like yourself and for my younger self to just keep going.”
“I believe Valdosta should have a lot more professional athletes. Whatever spot they play, we got a couple from baseball, myself from football, we got a rookie with the Green Bay Packers, but I feel like there should be so many athletes representing Valdosta on the professional level,” Moore said. “I think we gotta make strides to make sure that happens. We gotta give them the tools to be able to make the right choices when those choices come up in life.”
Impact on next generation
With the entire Valdosta State football team volunteering as coaches, Moore hopes his example of service and community impact leaves a lasting impression on the next generation of Blazers.
“With them helping out with this clinic, it’s something that I’ve been trying to do for the last few years. Coach Graham has done a great job kind of giving me the keys to let me have the presence with those athletes. And showing them how I give, how my community and my family gives,” Moore said. “They’ve had a lot of great questions on how I do it. We spoke on a college level about how I transitioned from VSU to the league. Like I said, I’m always here for these guys and this entire community.”
Moore’s next team may still be unknown, but his commitment to south Georgia is not. The Indianapolis Colts released him last month after eight seasons with the team. Moore said he expects to have more news regarding his NFL future soon, but no matter where football takes him next, he plans to keep coming home to Valdosta.
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