Rahim Shaheed Moore (born February 11, 1990) is an American former professional football safety. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning first-team All-American honors. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Early life
Moore attended Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California, where he was teammates with future college teammate, Johnathan Franklin. A four-year letterman in football, Moore played as a defensive back and wide receiver for coach Knox. He was named All-State first-team by Cal-Hi Sports and was a member of Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West squad (No. 4). As a sophomore, he made 99 tackles and had eight interceptions. As a junior, recorded 122 tackles and seven interceptions. As a senior, he recorded 112 tackles, eight
interceptions, 10 deflections and three
fumble recoveries on defense, helping Dorsey reach City Section semifinals. He also made 15 catches for 339 yards and six scores on offense. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-Star Game.
Moore was also a letterman in track & field. He was a three-time league champ with bests of 50.14 seconds in the 400-meter dash and 22.21 seconds in the 200-meter dash.
Moore was ranked No. 2 nationally and No. 1 in the West and in California at safety and was given five stars from Scout.com. He was a Super Prep Dream Team selection. He was also regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.
College career
As a freshman in 2008, Moore started all 12 games for the Bruins at free safety. He finished the season with 60 tackles and three interceptions and was on
Rivals.com All-Pac-10 Freshman team.
As a sophomore in 2009, Moore led the nation in interceptions with 10, with the last one at the EagleBank Bowl game.
As a junior, Moore recorded his first interception of the 2010 season against then-No. 23 Houston and helped his team to a 31–13 victory. A week later, Moore's 8 tackles (7 solos) contributed to UCLA's upset of then-No. 7 Texas Longhorns in Austin, Texas; there was a stadium-record crowd.
Professional career
Denver Broncos
The
Denver Broncos selected Moore in the second round (45th overall) of the 2011 NFL draft.
Moore made his regular season debut on September 12, 2011 and recorded four solo tackles in the Broncos season-opening 23–20 loss to the
Oakland Raiders. Moore recorded his first career interception in Denver's week 4 49–23 loss to the Green Bay Packers as he picked off a deflected pass from Matt Flynn.
During the 2012–13 NFL Playoffs, Moore lost favor with Broncos management and fans due to a key gaffe during the Broncos game against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. Denver was leading Baltimore 35–28 with less than a minute left in the game. Baltimore lined up for what was essentially a Hail Mary towards the end zone. Joe Flacco unloaded a deep pass to Jacoby Jones up on the right sideline. Moore, whose responsibility was to not let the receiver on his side of the field get behind him, was poorly positioned and was caught back-pedaling as Jones went by him. He mistimed his jump as the ball went over his head, and then fell over as the pass was easily cradled by Jones, who then walked into the end zone for the game-tying touchdown. Baltimore would go on to win the game 38–35 in double overtime and eventually win Super Bowl XLVII.
Houston Texans
On March 12, 2015, Moore signed a three-year $12 million contract with the
Houston Texans.
Moore was released on March 3, 2016.
Cleveland Browns
On March 17, 2016, Moore signed a one-year contract with the
Cleveland Browns. After making the Browns' initial 53-man roster, he was released the following day on September 4, 2016.
New York Giants
On January 12, 2017, Moore signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants.
He was released by the Giants on May 25, 2017.
Arizona Hotshots
On November 9, 2018, Moore signed with the
Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) for the 2019 season.
By the time the league ceased operations in April 2019,
only 8 games had been played but Moore managed 19 tackles and 3 passes defended.
DC Defenders
Moore was drafted in the 7th round during phase four in the 2020 XFL draft by the
DC Defenders.
He was waived during final roster cuts on January 22, 2020.
He was re-signed on February 1, 2020.
Moore recorded an interception in his first XFL game against the Seattle Dragons, on February 8, 2020. It was the first interception in the league's history.
In the COVID-19 pandemic shorted season, Moore played in all 5 possible games, and was credited with 15 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
Pro Football Focus named Moore as one of the highest graded defensive backs.
He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.
Arlington Renegades
Moore was selected by the Arlington Renegades in the 2023 XFL draft.
NFL career statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
External links
