Moore, Fred

The average football fan rarely notices defensive linemen from their stadium seats. Fred Moore was different. He was a big-time defensive player at Central High School who ultimately made it to the "big-time." Moore lettered in football, basketball and baseball for the Central High Wildcats, being selected as the football team's most outstanding player during his senior year in 1958. He moved on to Mississippi State for a year and then transferred to Memphis State University where his career zoomed to new heights. He became one of the country's best collegiate defensive ends. A Memphis newspaper described him at the time as a player "with size and excellent speed always giving 100 percent; popular with teammates and as an after dinner speaker." Moore played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game in Montgomery where he was voted as the most outstanding player on the Gray squad. His performance helped him as the No. 15 draft by the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League. He played defensive end professionally for five years. helping his team get to two championship games and winning one of them.