Age: 23 (Nov. 25)
College: Penn
State
Height: 6’1” Weight: 190
Prelude:
An
outstanding all-around talent in college, Moore rushed for 2380 yards,
intercepted 10 passes, and averaged 15.8 yards on punt returns and 24.3 yards
on kickoff returns. He was taken in the first round of the 1956 NFL draft by
the Colts (9th overall).
1956 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 12 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Rushing
Attempts – 86
Most
attempts, game - 13 (for 185 yds.) vs. Green Bay 10/28
Yards – 649 [8]
Most yards,
game – 185 yards (on 13 carries) vs. Green Bay 10/28
Average gain
– 7.5 [1]
TDs – 8 [3,
tied with Alan Ameche & Hugh McElhenny]
100-yard
rushing games – 2
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 11
Most
receptions, game – 2 on four occasions
Yards – 102
Most yards,
game - 27 (on 1 catch) vs. Green Bay 10/28
Average gain
– 9.3
TDs – 1
Passing
Attempts – 4
Completions –
1
Yards – 8
Touchdowns – 1
Interceptions
– 1
Punt Returns
Returns – 8
Yards – 38
Average per
return – 4.8
TDs – 0
Longest
return – 15 yards
Kickoff
Returns
Returns – 10 [18]
Yards – 129
Average per
return – 12.9
TDs – 0
Longest
return – 21 yards
All-purpose
yards – 918
Scoring
TDs – 9 [6,
tied with Frank Gifford]
Points – 54 (14)
Awards & Honors:
NFL Rookie of
the Year: UPI
2nd
team All-NFL: NY Daily News
Pro Bowl
Colts went 5-7
to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference while placing second in the
league in rushing (2202 yards).
Aftermath:
While he
never carried the ball more than 98 times in any of his first six years, he was
highly effective when he did, leading the NFL in yards per carry three more
times. He was perhaps even more effective as a pass receiver, often lining up
out wide as a flanker, and was a formidable offensive weapon for the Colts,
leading the league in yards from scrimmage in 1957 (1175) and twice gaining
over 900 receiving yards in a season as he achieved consensus first-team
All-Pro honors in four consecutive years (1958-61) and five straight Pro Bowl
selections (1958-62). He also had over a thousand yards from scrimmage in five
consecutive years (1957-61) with a high of 1536 in Baltimore’s first
championship season of 1958. In the meantime Moore, nicknamed “Spats” for the
manner in which he taped up his football shoes, was shifted full-time to halfback
in 1961. In ’62, injuries limited his effectiveness and in 1963 he played in
only seven games and saw limited action. It appeared that his days with the
Colts were numbered, but Moore wasn’t traded during the offseason and started
1964 as backup to Tom Matte at halfback. He had a remarkable comeback season,
gaining 1056 yards from scrimmage and setting a then-NFL record with 20
touchdowns. Moore gained 878 yards from scrimmage in 1965 (464 rushing, 414
receiving) and played another two years, although he carried the ball just 105
times (for 431 yards) and caught 34 passes as his playing time diminished.
Following his retirement after the 1967 season, he had gained 5174 yards
rushing on 1069 carries (4.8 avg.) and caught 363 passes for 6039 more yards
(16.6 avg.) while accumulating a total of 113 TDs, which ranked second
all-time. He totaled 12,449 all-purpose yards. The Colts retired his #24 and Moore
was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1975.
[Updated 8/4/13]
[Updated 8/4/13]
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized
organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise
Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league
itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
