Some of you may not remember when Dave Moore first donned a Buccaneers jersey, nor do many of the younger generation know what he meant to the team and the community. That’s sad a fact and if you have never heard the name Dave Moore attached to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then it’s a sad day in all of Bucdom.
Drafted out of the University of Pittsburgh by the Dolphins, in the 7th round of the 1992 NFL draft, Dave Moore was on his way to a long NFL career that wasn’t exactly one that would put him in the spotlight, but one that was fundamentally sound, and one that he should take pride in.u
Moore wasn’t the flashy guy, but he was the guy you could rely on when in a pinch. Sure hands and sure feet, allowed for Moore to achieve an incredible feat, during his 15-year career; He has only fumbled three times in 220 games.
As an added historical fact, Dave Moore, in 1998 during the 3rd quarter scored the second Buccaneers TD in Raymond James Stadium, (Reidel Anthony being the first against Chicago 1998), on a one-handed catch at the 22-yard line, thrown by Trent Dilfer from the 45-yard line, and taken in for the score. (This catch is considered to be one of the top 10 best catches in Bucs history.) This catch was not only awesome to see, it sparked the fourth quarter comeback that led the Buccaneers to their first ever win in their brand new stadium.
** Only three tight ends in NFL history had played more games than Dave Moore.**
The longtime tight end and long-snapper hung his cleats up in June of 2007, (One-year after being selected to his first Pro Bowl), bringing to an end a career of one of my personal favorites. Dave Moore wasn’t just a solid veteran presence on the football field and a talent that could be relied on, he was an all-around good guy, with a kind heart, a true leader, and had a serious head for football. After 15 seasons, the injury bug finally found it’s way into Moore’s life. Despite #83 believing, he could play another season, the injury packed year that was 2006, forced the veteran to take a knee.
After retiring, Moore took on the role of Buccaneers Radio’s color commentator working with Gene Deckerhoff.
Dave Moore reffed a charity football game in 2007, The MDA Bowl, in Staten Island to help raise money to help further the search for a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.
Afterward, he became the head coach for Shorecrest High School’s football team, in 2011. During his stint as HC, he led the Shorecrest Chargers to a 9-9 overall record and won his first game against Northside Christian led by former teammate Mike Alstott. He coached the Azalea Bulldogs Little League team in St. Pete as well as Hosted his own fishing TV show on Fox Sports Sun titled – One Moore Catch. He is also President and CEO of Moore Resources
In addition to owning a seafood restaurant, “The Island Way Grill,” in Clearwater, Florida, and President and CEO of Moore Resources insurance company, Dave also worked as an assistant coach for the Jesuit Tigers Football in Tampa, Florida, where his son Jake played center and long snapper. Jake, following in his father’s footsteps, as a football player, was two-year captain of the Jesuit football team, 2x Jesuit Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, received First-team all-area, all county, and all-state honors, played on both conference and regional championship teams, before heading to the Dayton Flyers football team at the University of Dayton in St. Petersburg, Florida.
