Falcons Vice President of Football Communications Reggie Roberts spotlights a player each week in a series of on-the-spot, off-beat questions in a weekly segment featured on AtlantaFalcons.com called "Behind the Facemask." This week's featured player is Falcons starting strong safety William Moore.
Moore is in his third NFL season out of the University of Missouri. He was selected in the 2nd round (55th overall) by the Falcons in the 2009 NFL Draft, and his five interceptions last season tied for the team lead and ranked 3rd in the NFL among safeties.
We caught up with Moore after Thursday's practice to discuss is rugged playing style, what he says to opposing players early in the game, and his favorite actress. Moore also wanted to correct what he called a gross misrepresentation of the facts from last week’s Behind the Facemask player Eric Weems.
Reggie Roberts: It's been brought to my attention that we had an error is last week's Behind the Facemask that featured Falcons Pro Bowl special teams ace Eric Weems. The floor is yours, sir. What was the error?
William Moore: Eric Weems told everyone that he is a cautious investor. That's not even close to being accurate. Weems is straight up cheap. He's as cheap as they come and he owes me $200 right now. I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest.
RR: Do you feel better now?
WM: Absolutely. We've got to get the facts right and let our fans know the truth.
RR: NFL experts describe your game with these words: solid, tenacious, rugged, and physical. Is that a fair assessment?
WM: I think those descriptions are fair. That's how I play this game.
RR: Do you try to intimidate your opponents?
WM: I'm one of those guys who thinks that if you talk trash, you better be able to back it up. If you tell a guy that he's going to get hit when he comes across the middle and you back it up, he'll come through there next time with alligator arms and that definitely helps me and it gives my team an advantage.
RR: Typically, an NFL strong safety can't be a guy who is a timid, shy guy who doesn't say a whole lot, but off the field, you're kind of a quiet guy. Explain where all of that internal fire and motivation comes from.
WM: There is only one way to play this game and that's with passion and with intensity. My heart is in this game. When you go out there, you can't run your mouth and not be able to back it up, so I'm one of those guys who is going to hit you in the mouth before I say anything.
RR: Let's switch gears. Rumor has it that you are pretty nice on the basketball court. Is that just a nasty rumor, or do you really have some game?
WM: I got some game, man. I'm versatile. I've got the handle, I can hit the three, and as soon as you turn your back, I can catch an alley on you real quick and throw it down with two hands.
RR: You've got that kind of game on the hardwood?
WM: Oh, I am real on the court. I'm nice. I model my game after DeWayne Wade.
RR: Did you play hoops in high school?
WM: I was nice. I was All-District three years in a row during my sophomore, junior, and senior year in high school. I was everywhere, but I ran the point most of the time.
RR: So had you stuck with hoops, do you think you could have played Division I basketball?
WM: Yeah, and I'm thinking about trying out for the Hawks. You think you can call some of your people over there and get me on?
RR: Yeah. I'll get right on that.
WM: Thanks... I appreciate you (laughing).
RR: What's the best thing about being an NFL player?
WM: The opportunity to give back to kids. That is really important to me. Our off days are every Tuesday, and I am in the community doing stuff with kids just about every Tuesday. I was one of those less fortunate kids growing up. I was raised by a single mom and a grandmother in a single parent household, and I didn't have very much when I was coming up. Growing up like I did has molded me into wanting to present some opportunities to some kids that I did not have when I was coming up. I don't do it for the accolades or for the publicity. In fact, I don't want the publicity. I do it because it's the right thing to do.
RR: When you signed your first contract, what was the first thing you bought your closest family member and what did you buy yourself?
WM: I bought my mom her first car which was a white Chrysler 300.
RR: Don't you drive that gigantic Hummer?
WM: You know how I do it, Reg. I love my H2.
RR: It's the silver one with the 22-inch wheels, right?
WM: You've got to step it up, Reg. I've got 30s (30-inch wheels). I'm maturing. I've got to go big.
WM: Doesn't your H2 kill you on gas?
RR: I don't drive it every day. I only drive it on special occasions. I have a royal blue (my favorite color) Dodge Challenger that I drive every day. I love that car.
RR: What's the mood of the team this week in practice?
WM: Coach Smith gets a lot of credit this week and every week because he is consistent whether we win or we lose. This entire team is still very optimistic about what we've got going on. We've still got the same goals and nobody is panicking because it's a long season. You are going to lose a game or two. We know what we've got to do, and we know what we've got to fix.
RR: I'm told that you rap.
WM: I write my own music, I produce it, I do the beats, I do it all. I've opened up for Bones Thugs-N-Harmony, Nelly, St. Lunatics. All you have to do is Google your people, Reg. I'm out there in Cyberspace, baby.
RR: Are you one of those guys who knows where every nickel he's earned is?
WM: You know I am. I know where every nickel is and they are all in my possession. I've got my people who help me manage it. I've got spread sheets that tell me where every nickel is.
RR: Who is your favorite actress?
WM: That's an easy one. It's Lauren London. She's beautiful.
