Just days before his first Super Bowl appearance, New England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses found himself reminiscing about his time at the University of Virginia.
“We had a huge lineage of offensive linemen that came out of Virginia and were successful – a lot of guys I watched over the years – and it made my decision very easy to go there,” Moses said. “When you have that history, you want to carry the torch.”
A Richmond native, Moses, who turns 35 next month, grew up in North Chesterfield and attended Meadowbrook High School, where he was a two-time all-state selection. He played one year of prep football at Fork Union Military Academy, then transferred to UVA.
Morgan Moses is a 2013 University of Virginia graduate, earning degrees in anthropology and African American studies from the College of Arts & Sciences. (Virginia Athletics photo)
Former Virginia head football coach Mike London Sr., now the head coach at the College of William & Mary, said Moses was dedicated to his education.
“Morgan is a young man who valued the education that can be earned at Virginia,” London said. “He took advantage of the network of people not only in the athletic world, but also in school. He was able to take that skill set to the next level and sustain it for such a long, great career.”
According to London, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Moses was something of a “gentle giant,” leading the team by example. He recalled the times Moses would take off his helmet to reveal his large beard, giving his teammates simply an intense look to regain focus during practices.
“I think he just epitomizes the idea that you can do whatever you put your mind to,” London said. “Morgan Moses has been continuing on this journey that hasn’t stopped him. It’s allowed him to keep moving on and succeed, and I’m extremely proud of him being an educated young man who’s experienced the height of an NFL career.”
