Mind over Matter

No matter the role, Moore has his mind made up to perform.

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Moore for less: Mewelde embraces his diverse talents.

There's a popular refrain echoed throughout NFL locker rooms. It's open-ended and implies value. The first time I heard it was in the fall of '90 in a game against the Eagles. In addition to chasing a receiver named Fred Barnett, I returned punts and covered punts. On top of all of this, I was already the safety on the kickoff team. During film session the following day, I commented to Keith Taylor, a strong safety, how tired I was during the game.

Taylor said simply: "Hey man, the more you can do."

Since he started playing ball, Steelers running back Mewelde Moore has made that particular phrase his life's calling. But unlike most of us, Moore was familiar with the professional code long before he became a professional. "Because of my name, I've always heard those little catch phrases," says Moore. "I was a versatile player back in Pop Warner football. I played running back, receiver, linebacker, whatever."

When he landed in Minneapolis as the Vikings fourth-round pick in '04, it was that practical ambivalence that gave Moore instant value. During his time in Minnesota, he boasted a 10-yard punt return average, had a season where he rushed for 600 yards and threw a touchdown pass. He was the Vikings most explosive kickoff returner, but also played on the kickoff team. In 2005, he was the only player in the league to score by rush, punt return and pass reception. "You know, I really think I could kick a field goal," he says. "Okay, maybe just an extra point."

These days, Moore is doing everything short of teeing it up in Steel town. And his presence has, in some small measure, given the Steelers faithful reason to be optimistic for post season play. The last time Pittsburgh made a serious playoff run was in '05, when they finished the season as a solid but not spectacular team before embarking upon a month-long road trip through Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Denver. The trip ended in Detroit and a fifth title. That was the old, familiar edition of the Steelers, the team that ran on first down and depended on a beast of a running back and four relentless, often oversized linebackers.

Things are a bit different in Pittsburgh these days. Oh, the defense hasn't changed. In fact, Dick Lebeau's latest incarnation of his original zone blitzing 3-4 is currently the best unit in the business. But the offense is in flux, and Moore's ability to both run and catch is vital.

"I never let things, or situations define me," says Moore. "And I don't have a defining moment in my life."

In a Week 9 victory over the Redskins, Willie Parker suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder. The following week, against the Colts, Moore replaced him. He carried the rock a taxing 24 times and caught six balls for 48 yards. Knowing the Colts could very well see the Steelers again come playoff time, Indy defensive coordinator Ron Meeks made note of Moore's skills as a receiver: "He definitely gives them a dimension they really needed."

Last March, Moore wasn't signed to eventually relieve Fast Willie of his duties. Rashard Mendenhall was brought in to do that—his spot as the 23rd pick of the first round proves this. But while Mendenhall heals a fractured shoulder, Moore has become the living embodiment of depth.

Turns out it requires a specific mentality to perform under the auspices of what most folks call a "role player." And it doesn't mean suppressing one's self-esteem in order to assume some second-class citizenship. "I know I have the ability to play," he says. "Mentally, you just have to be prepared to do the big stuff in addition to all the other stuff."
Moore insists the key to being a well-adjusted role player is carefully and privately maintaining singularity within the context of a group. "The reality of the situation is that I do have an ego, but I know how to be a team player too. Its playing both sides of the table, I guess."

Using such complicated principles, how does one define such an athlete? Is Mewelde Moore a star? A backup? Something in between? "I never let things or situations define me," says Moore. "And I don't have a defining moment in my life." But Moore does recall the time as a child when a teacher told his mother that her son would make a fine teacher. Moore's mother informed the teacher that her son could be anything he wanted to be. Such instances have galvanized the final product. "With that in your bloodlines," says Moore, "you always know who you are."

Moore is vague on the future. The final part of the season features a brutal fortnight of preparing for, playing against and recovering from games with the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. "Well, we have to win games first," is all Moore will provide. It seems the verbal property of the more you can do is the less you can say. He views his personal life on a spiritual plane. "I'm constantly in motion, just moving forward, making the most of the day, giving thanks and praise to God."

It's not the most original concept, but it seems to be working.

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