The football world lost one of the more durable cornerbacks of the late-60s and 70s this month as former Pro Bowler Zeke Moore passed away. He was 82 years old.
Moore passed away on September 22 and his funeral was held on Tuesday. This morning, the Tennessee Titans – who Moore played for when they were known as the Houston Oilers – took to X to offer their condolences to their fallen star.
“The Tennessee Titans mourn the loss of former Oiler (1967-1977), Zeke Moore,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
A Legacy in Blue
Drafted in the fifth round of the 1967 NFL Draft, Moore soon emerged as a star cornerback for the Oilers during the final years of the old AFL. In 1969, his first year as a starter, he had four interceptions, a pick six and two fumble recoveries, earning AFL All-Star honors in the final year of the league’s existence before the merger.
Moore had no trouble making the transition to the NFL in 1970 as he recorded a career-high six interceptions and made the Pro Bowl that season despite the Oilers ranking near the bottom of the league on defense.
Unfortunately, the early-1970s were an incredibly lean period for Moore and the Oilers/ Between 1971 and 1973 they won a grand total of six games. Moore did his best, appearing in all but eight games from 1970 to his retirement in 1977, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t until the arrival of Bum Phillips in 1975 that the defense finally worked as a cohesive unit.
Moore retired after being released right before the 1978 season and the league’s expansion to 16 games. The Oilers would go on to reach the first of three straight trips to the playoffs that year.
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Over his 11-year run in Houston, Moore started 103 of 145 games, recording 24 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries and two pick-sixes.
He also contributed in the return game, averaging 16.4 yards per punt return and 28.9 yards per kickoff return in 1967. He had a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs that year.
After retiring, Moore continued living in Houston and even joined the Houston Texans as a team ambassador once football returned to the city following the Oilers’ departure.
Our hearts go out to Moore’s family and loved ones.
