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The University of Mississippi Athletics
C.J. Moore: Wearing No. 38
9/27/2018 | Football
Senior DB Leading the Landshark D in 2018
This story originally appeared in the Sept. 22 issue of Rebel: The Official Gameday Magazine of Ole Miss Football.
On the Ole Miss football team, every player has a number. But one number in particular is more than just a mark that identifies a student-athlete out on the field. One number represents everything it means to be an Ole Miss Rebel—courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.
The No. 38 was worn in the late 1980s by Chucky Mullins, a man with enough heart for an entire team. Unfortunately, Mullins' career, and ultimately his life, were cut short by a tragic injury in the 1989 homecoming game against Vanderbilt. Since then, the number has been passed down to the Rebel defensive player who best represents the spirit of Mullins. This year, wearing No. 38 is C.J. Moore.
"I'm representing the great man Chucky Mullins," Moore said. "It means a lot to carry his legacy on. It's an honor to wear the No. 38. It's tough, but I like the challenge. And I just want to represent it well."
A Mississippi Made senior defensive back out of Bassfield, Mississippi, Moore has been an anchor in the Ole Miss secondary, filling a variety of roles in that defensive backfield. But this season, as the starting free safety with the No. 38 on his chest, he has taken on an even greater role for the Landshark Defense.
"I know it's like a team captain," Moore said. "So I just try to come out and lead by example. For the defensive side, just going out, the guys look to me and make a play. So I try to set the tone and make sure and make the plays when they come my way."
The injury Mullins sustained left him paralyzed. For months after the tragic accident, he endured the grueling challenges of rehabilitation. His determination and spirit touched the lives of many. His story became a rallying point for not just the Ole Miss community, but the entire country. Against all odds, he returned to class at Ole Miss in January of 1991. However, as he prepared for class on May 1, 1991, he stopped breathing. He was rushed to the hospital but passed away five days later from complications from a blood clot.
Since the tragedy, some of the greatest defensive players in Ole Miss history have earned the Chucky Mullins Courage Award—Patrick Willis, D.T. Shackelford, Mike Hilton and Marquis Haynes just last season. With the legacy of Mullins and the rest of the Rebel greats behind him, Moore has approached his craft with a little bit of extra fire and determination as the next in the line of great 38s.
"When I got here, D.T. Shackelford wore the number. He was a dominant defensive player, captain of the defense," Moore said. "Watching him dominate made me want to go out and do the same and lead the defense. Watching Mike Hilton, he's with the Steelers now, he wore the 38. I just want to be like those guys, but even better."
So far in 2018, the coaching staff has been happy with the way Moore has responded to the honor of wearing No. 38, and with that, the role he has assumed in the locker room and on the field.
"Any player that has won that award feels a little bit of responsibility," said head coach Matt Luke. "But he has done a nice job in that leadership role."
To an extent, it has even helped to define Moore in his senior season. All throughout his life, he has played right alongside his twin brother, A.J. Moore. However, C.J. suffered a torn pectoral muscle during fall camp in 2016, forcing him to redshirt that season. As a result, he has an extra season in red and blue.
Despite the change, Moore has taken to his new reality with the energy and positivity, and his coaches are glad he has.
"His personality embodies the Chucky Mullins award," Luke said. "Him being here for a long time now. Him being a leader. It has been interesting seeing him in that leadership that role. Especially with his twin brother leaving and him having to be there on his own and become that leader. But it has been fun to see him grow, not just as a player, but as a person."
On the Ole Miss football team, every player has a number. But one number in particular is more than just a mark that identifies a student-athlete out on the field. One number represents everything it means to be an Ole Miss Rebel—courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.
The No. 38 was worn in the late 1980s by Chucky Mullins, a man with enough heart for an entire team. Unfortunately, Mullins' career, and ultimately his life, were cut short by a tragic injury in the 1989 homecoming game against Vanderbilt. Since then, the number has been passed down to the Rebel defensive player who best represents the spirit of Mullins. This year, wearing No. 38 is C.J. Moore.
"I'm representing the great man Chucky Mullins," Moore said. "It means a lot to carry his legacy on. It's an honor to wear the No. 38. It's tough, but I like the challenge. And I just want to represent it well."
A Mississippi Made senior defensive back out of Bassfield, Mississippi, Moore has been an anchor in the Ole Miss secondary, filling a variety of roles in that defensive backfield. But this season, as the starting free safety with the No. 38 on his chest, he has taken on an even greater role for the Landshark Defense.
"I know it's like a team captain," Moore said. "So I just try to come out and lead by example. For the defensive side, just going out, the guys look to me and make a play. So I try to set the tone and make sure and make the plays when they come my way."
The injury Mullins sustained left him paralyzed. For months after the tragic accident, he endured the grueling challenges of rehabilitation. His determination and spirit touched the lives of many. His story became a rallying point for not just the Ole Miss community, but the entire country. Against all odds, he returned to class at Ole Miss in January of 1991. However, as he prepared for class on May 1, 1991, he stopped breathing. He was rushed to the hospital but passed away five days later from complications from a blood clot.
Since the tragedy, some of the greatest defensive players in Ole Miss history have earned the Chucky Mullins Courage Award—Patrick Willis, D.T. Shackelford, Mike Hilton and Marquis Haynes just last season. With the legacy of Mullins and the rest of the Rebel greats behind him, Moore has approached his craft with a little bit of extra fire and determination as the next in the line of great 38s.
"When I got here, D.T. Shackelford wore the number. He was a dominant defensive player, captain of the defense," Moore said. "Watching him dominate made me want to go out and do the same and lead the defense. Watching Mike Hilton, he's with the Steelers now, he wore the 38. I just want to be like those guys, but even better."
So far in 2018, the coaching staff has been happy with the way Moore has responded to the honor of wearing No. 38, and with that, the role he has assumed in the locker room and on the field.
"Any player that has won that award feels a little bit of responsibility," said head coach Matt Luke. "But he has done a nice job in that leadership role."
To an extent, it has even helped to define Moore in his senior season. All throughout his life, he has played right alongside his twin brother, A.J. Moore. However, C.J. suffered a torn pectoral muscle during fall camp in 2016, forcing him to redshirt that season. As a result, he has an extra season in red and blue.
Despite the change, Moore has taken to his new reality with the energy and positivity, and his coaches are glad he has.
"His personality embodies the Chucky Mullins award," Luke said. "Him being here for a long time now. Him being a leader. It has been interesting seeing him in that leadership that role. Especially with his twin brother leaving and him having to be there on his own and become that leader. But it has been fun to see him grow, not just as a player, but as a person."
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