Nat Moore

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Nat Moore
Date of birth September 19, 1951 (age 55)
Place of birth Flag of United States Tallahassee, Florida
Position(s) Wide Receiver
College Florida
NFL Draft 1974 / Round 3/ Pick 78
Pro Bowls 1
Stats
Statistics
Team(s)
1974-1986 Miami Dolphins

Nathaniel Moore (born September 19, 1951 in Tallahassee, Florida) is a former American football wide receiver for the National Football League Miami Dolphins, the only team for whom he played in his 13-year career. He is best known as the favorite passing target of both Bob Griese and Dan Marino.

Moore attended the University of Florida, where he was a star running back, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1977 after a season in which he led the league in scoring with 12 touchdowns and made 52 receptions that season.

Nat Moore is immortalized in the famous "Helicopter Catch" video clip. While making a reception against the New York Jets in Giants Stadium in 1984, he was hit simultaneously from opposite directions by two Jets tacklers sending his body spinning into the air. He made the catch converting a crucial third down, leading to a come from behind score (and win) in a closely contested division game.

By the time Moore retired after the 1986 season, he had broken almost every receiving record of the Dolphins; they have since been broken by Mark Clayton and Mark Duper.

His final career stats were 510 receptions for 7,547 yards and 74 touchdowns. He also rushed for 249 yards and a touchdown, returned 27 punts for 297 yards, and gained 856 yards on 3 kickoff returns.

Moore is also known for his humanitarian services. In 1984, the NFL voted Moore as “Man of the Year,” an honor given to a player who gives outstanding service to his community. Moore also received the Byron White Humanitarian Award in 1986.

In 1998, he created The Nat Moore Foundation, an organization which works with disadvantaged youths in the Miami-Dade County area. Moore is currently a football broadcaster for Florida Gators games on Sunshine Network and also owns as sports promotions firm, Nat Moore & Associates, Inc.

Moore is also the executive director of the NFL Super Bowl Football Clinic.

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