By Corey Sobers, UF Communications
Calling out “MOO-DY,” a crowd of more than 90,000 fans bellow Emmanuel's last name after one of his patented tough runs. He is playing for a perennial National Championship contender that is one of the most visible programs in the country.
This is what he dreamed of back when he attended Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, and was deciding where to spend his college years. Football was his life, his hope and what he believed was his path to success.
From the time Emmanuel Moody first set foot on a football field, he had to overcome an issue that went beyond competition.
It was not until Moody's second season of youth football that he had a chance to play running back. That first season in Coppell, Moody was discriminated against because of his appearance.
“They actually wouldn't let me play running back that first year because most people saw me as Asian, unless I told them I was half-black,'' said Moody, whose middle name is Pan-Sok. “In football, there are certain stereotypes with what color you should be in a certain position. There are not many running backs that have had successful careers or even played that position in the NFL that were not African-American. I didn't really get a chance the first year, and finally the second year, they saw what I could do with the ball.”
Moody attended Coppell High School and eventually became a Parade All-American and one of the most heralded prospects in the nation. With scholarship offers from a plethora of high-profile programs, he eventually decided to attend the University of Southern California.
“I wanted the flashy lights and the Hollywood life and I was really infatuated by everything L.A. had to offer just as much as USC. USC was on top at that time. They had just come off of two Heisman Trophy winners (Matt Leinart in 2004 and Reggie Bush in 2005) and a national championship. The lights and the glamour, that life appealed to me. At that point, I was just searching for my faith. I had not found a relationship with Jesus yet. I was more concerned with my selfish ambitions and what I wanted for myself.”
He was on a Sports Illustrated cover in his freshman year at the University of Southern California, was named Pac-10 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2006 by The Sporting News and after sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, was a member of Florida's 2008 National Championship team. If you had told the UF senior running back in high school that he would accomplish all of those things heading into his final collegiate season, he would have been hard-pressed to believe that he would not have been content. But it was not until Moody found Jesus at the age of 19 that he realized his true calling and to his surprise, it did not revolve around football.
Initially, Moody's primary concern was his role in the offense.
He was the Trojans' leading rusher in the first three games of his college career, and although he missed four games with a sprained left ankle, he finished second on the team with 459 yards rushing in 2006. However, former USC head coach Pete Carroll was stockpiling blue-chip running back prospects to the point where it was difficult to stand out in practice.
“We had 10 guys and it got to the point where we did not know who was getting the reps,” Moody explained. ”There were only about 15 running plays that were run each practice and we had 10 running backs.”
With the stable of running backs the Trojans possessed and consistent playing time not guaranteed, Moody decided he needed a change.
“The reason I transferred was to be a featured back,” Moody recalled. “USC was all about the rotation and getting everybody time. I just wanted to be the featured back.”
Once Moody had committed to transferring, he narrowed his options down to North Carolina and Florida. His first visit was to Chapel Hill and when he left there, he was almost certain he would be wearing baby blue for the rest of his college career. However, when he made the trek to Gainesville, Florida's coaching staff changed his mind. On his visit, he ended up talking to head coach Urban Meyer and other offensive coaches until 4 a.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“When I was leaving USC, I had an idea of what I wanted the second time around,” Moody acknowledged. “I wanted to feel comfortable and have a good feel for the head coach as well as the offensive staff because that was who I was going to spend most of my time with in addition to the players. I love the players on our team. I tell all of our recruits that they will not find a tighter group of players than here at Florida.”
When Moody first arrived at Florida, expectations were sky-high. After the accolades he received in his first year at USC, fans and media expected him to take ownership of the starting running back position immediately but things did not play out that way. After sitting out the 2007 season due to NCAA transfer rules, he got his chance to play in 2008. For the season, he had 58 carries for 417 yards and although he became a bigger factor late in the season—344 of his 417 yards came in Florida's final six games—frustration seeped in at times, but he never allowed it to become a distraction to the team.
“It has everything to do with my faith,” Moody revealed. “If I did not have my faith, I would have probably erupted. It was my last chance. I could not transfer again. It is a tough program here, both physically and mentally tough. If you have the right mindset and understand what the coaches are trying to do, you will be a stronger person.”
It also helped that his head coach and fellow running backs have been supportive throughout his time as a Gator.
“It's great playing for a guy like Coach Meyer,” Moody said. “He is honest. He will always tell you where you are at. He has the ability to bring the flaws out of you and to make them your strengths.”
Ironically, Moody came to Florida for a more prominent role in the offense but with talented backfield mates such as junior Jeff Demps and sophomore Mike Gillislee, he is still used as part of a rotation. At USC, that caused discontent but at Florida, his reformed attitude and his appreciation for his teammates' abilities have made him supportive and understanding of the situation.
“I really don't know how he (Meyer) manages it,” Moody said. “I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. I'm fine with the carries I get. Whatever I get, I'm going to go as hard as I can. I'm a fan of all of them. Whoever gets in, you know I'm going to be cheering for him.”
"Moody is an amazing teammate," Demps revealed. "If you need anything, you can go talk to him. He is just a great guy to be around."
Moody's faith helped him to persevere and he now wants to use his platform as a service to others. He is a dedicated Christian who desires to be a minister in the future.
“I want to help serve people,” Moody, who is a Family, Youth and Community Sciences major, declared. I have a heart for orphans and for kids without fathers or mothers who are hopeless. I want to be there for them and raise them up. I have a heart for people and for God.”
However, he realizes that he can make an impact where he is right now. To that end, he hosts a weekly team Bible study.
“It feeds people spiritually,” Moody said. “Our spirit is way more important than our physical body. That lasts forever. I try to feed them. Whoever comes to that will be welcome with open arms. That's been my heart. Football is what I do, but it's not who I am. I am a Jesus follower before anything. I just try to feed people the truth about life.”
As he closes in on the end of his time at the University of Florida, Moody has no regrets and is looking to cap his career with a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game while continuing to use his platform as a football player to make a difference in people's lives. When looking back at his decision to come to Florida, there is one preeminent thought that enters his mind.
“I definitely made the right choice.”
