Arthur Moats (born March 14, 1988) is a former American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Moats played college football at James Madison, where he was team captain.
In 2010, as a member of the Bills, Moats delivered the hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre that ultimately led to the end of Favre's NFL record streak of consecutive starts the following week at 297.
Moats hosts a football podcast, The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke.
Early life
Moats was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and was raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he attended Churchland High School and graduated in 2006. He graduated from James Madison University with a degree in political science. Moats is currently in his second year of earning his master's degree online, saying he values education greatly. His father is a former marine and current high school math teacher.
College career
Moats finished his career at James Madison University with 208 tackles. He played in all of his team's games as a true freshman. He started only 5 games as a sophomore, but became a full-time starter for his junior and senior years. Moats won the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player.
Professional career
Buffalo Bills
Moats was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round, 178th overall, in the 2010 NFL Draft. He is the only Buck Buchanan Award winner to be drafted by the Bills. In the Bills 3-4 defensive scheme, he moved from defensive end to inside linebacker, which is an unusual position change considering most defensive ends move to outside linebacker in 3-4 defensive schemes. After several weeks of failing to generate a consistent pass rush, Bills head coach Chan Gailey decided to move Moats to his more natural position of outside linebacker to utilize his pass rushing skill set.
In a Week 13 contest of the 2010 season, Moats delivered a hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre that aggravated the quarterback's shoulder injury. It was Moats' hit that eventually led to Favre's consecutive starts streak ending at 297 when he did not play against the New York Giants the following week.
Moats' personal catch phrase, 'Don't Cross The Moats', was created by Joe Zogaib. Since then, it has a become a popular trending topic on Twitter, and Moats himself even tattooed the phrase across his upper back.
In December 2013, Moats was named the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year for 2013. Moats earned this honor through his work with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and other local groups. Moats was also named the Bills Ed Block Courage Award recipient. He earned this honor by overcoming adversity from an injury and exemplifying courage both on and off the field. He also conducts numerous school visits and takes part in the NFL Play 60 initiative.
Pittsburgh Steelers
On March 24, 2014, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Moats to a one-year, $795,000 contract with a signing bonus of $65,000. He began his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the backup right outside linebacker behind Jarvis Jones. In the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, he assisted in one tackle during his Steelers debut as they won 30-27. On September 21, 2014, Moats made two solo tackles and sacked Panthers quarterback Cam Newton as the Steelers routed the Carolina Panthers 37-19. The next game, he got his first start with the Steelers in place of an injured Jarvis Jones and made one solo tackle in a 24-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 9, Moats collected three combined tackles, sacked Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, and forced a fumble as Pittsburgh defeated the Baltimore Ravens 43-23. The following week, he made a season-high four combined tackles in a 13-20 loss to the New York Jets. He finished the season with 23 combined tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles while appearing in all 16 regular season contests and starting ten.
