By Lisa Zimmerman | Engagement Insider
Whether on the field or off, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats rarely stops moving. It’s an ethic that was instilled in him from a very young age by his parents, who were both pastors in his hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia. Every week the family would bring food to families in need. That spirit of helping others has continued into his adulthood.
Moats was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2010 and, as a rookie, veteran teammates safeties George Wilson (winner of the Buffalo Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2011) and Bryan Scott became early mentors, especially when it came to giving back to others.
“They were pivotal to motivating me and getting me involved in the community,” Moats said. “I saw how they made such a huge difference. It wasn’t about giving away a whole bunch of money it was just [interacting with people]. I saw what a big impact it made. I wanted to emulate that.”
Moats remains open to any and all causes that cross his path and resonate with him. In 2012, he interned with the United Way through the NFL’s Career Development program and was inspired by the variety of ways the organization helps those in need.
It has also become a family mission for the Moats family with he, his wife Shonda and their eight-year-old daughter, Kaylor, (they also have two-year-old Ava and a son on the way) all involved in the decision-making process about what causes they take on.
“We see what we want to do,” Moats said. “We get a list of things that would potentially work. When we have the desire in our heart, that’s what we do.”
They often pick events based on Kaylor’s preference, things such as shopping trips with children and events on behalf of animals. Moats is already seeing the impact it’s making on Kaylor. “You take her along to your events and you’re letting her see [what it’s all about] and she says I want to donate some of my money. It really touches your heart.”
Juggling the demands of the NFL is always a challenge and Moats is constantly focused on arranging his schedule as efficiently as possible to meet his family and football responsibilities while including his community work.
“The hardest part is declining some of the requests,” he said. “You can’t stretch yourself too thin. You need to have the proper amount of resources. But, when you want to do something you make time for it.”
Moats is doing his best to pass the lessons he’s learned along to his younger counterparts, often doing it by example.
“I feel like the best way is when the rookies and young guys have events they have to go to, is for me to just show up. One person can touch so many lives. I let the guys know that this job doesn’t last forever, but you can touch people forever. Something so small can have that impact forever.”
Moats also makes time for continuing his own learning process to begin his preparation for his post-NFL career. During the 2013 offseason, also as part of the NFL’s Career Development Program, he interned with the University of Buffalo’s athletic department, experiencing different aspects of the department. With his dream of playing in the NFL realized, he knows it’s imperative to start laying a foundation for his life after his football retirement. Following his rookie NFL season he returned to James Madison University where he earned his undergraduate degree in political science. Now, in addition to all of his other commitments, he is attending Empire State University where he is pursuing his Masters degree in community and economic development.
And his parents, who are responsible for helping build the man he has become, couldn’t be more proud. But it’s not his NFL achievements they focus on.
They’re more proud of my off the field accomplishments,” Moats said. “The fact that I graduated college and am pursuing a Masters. On the field won’t last a lifetime; the other stuff will take me further.”