What It Feels Like
What It Feels Like . . . to play your last competitive football game
Ricky Moore will miss "the big spectacle."
(By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)
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Starting center Ricky Moore was one of 32 Navy seniors who played in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on Saturday. It was Navy's final game of the season, and for many of its seniors, it was their final competitive football game. Moore, a Northern High graduate, is majoring in comparative politics and will have a five-year service commitment upon graduation; his assignment is surface warfare.
I started playing football when I was five years old, for Twin Beach Youth Club, down in Calvert County. The Beach Buccaneers. It was a long time ago. I don't think I've fully grasped that it's over yet. I'll have time over our break to reflect, but I don't think it's hit me yet. I'm sure it will. I've talked to guys in the past that say it takes a while for you to realize that you won't be playing football anymore. I'm just going to go home and enjoy some time with my family and get rested. Finally.
I know some people say they're going to miss the practices, strapping on the pads and getting out there, but there's nothing that substitutes for the game. The game is the big spectacle where everyone is watching. To have the opportunity to play D-I football at Navy, you get huge games: CBS, national audiences. I'd say just the big game mindset, I'll miss that the most. And playing with guys that I've played with since my freshman year. Playing with my brothers the last four years . . .
It felt good to play in RFK Stadium. It's a historic building and the Redskins played here for a long time. I'm a big Redskins fan, but I never made it here when they played here. I had about 15 relatives and friends at the game. I actually saw my dad [Curtis] on the Jumbotron one time with my brother [Darin]. . . .
I'd definitely say football will remain a part of my life. Maybe down the road . . . maybe I'll be able to be a coach or something. I'm definitely going to be a lifelong enthusiast of the sport. And I'll definitely miss it now that I'm finished.
-- Interview by Camille Powell
