D.J. Moore

D.J. Moore's Biography

Denniston Oliver “D.J.” Moore Jr., commonly known as D.J. Moore, was born on April 14, 1997, hailing from a Jamaican ancestry through his father’s lineage. As a young high schooler, Moore honed his football skills at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The promising raw talent Moore showcased on the playground guided him towards a future career in football, culminating in his commitment to the University of Maryland, College Park, to pursue college football.

Between 2015 to 2017, Moore’s formidable football career took off as a player for the Maryland Terrapins, where he played under the guidance of esteemed head coaches, ranging from Randy Edsall to Mike Locksley to D.J. Durkin. This period was a pivotal time where Moore honed his skills and demonstrated his potential as a professional football player.

Moore played a significant role in his era at Maryland, starting in most of the games. As a freshman, he played 10 of the school’s 12 games, recording a commendable proportion of receptions. Gradually, in his subsequent years, his performance took a leap, resulting in breaking the college’s record for receptions in his junior year. His dedication and prowess on the field didn’t go unnoticed. Following his junior season, he was named to the first-team All-Big Ten Conference and crowned as the Big Ten Receiver of the Year, an accolade that bore testament to his talent.

Building on his successful run during his college years, Moore entered the 2018 NFL draft after his junior season. Impressed by Moore’s performance at the 2018 NFL combine, where he led in the broad jump and recorded the second-best vertical jump, the Carolina Panthers drafted Moore with the 24th overall pick in the first round. As a welcoming start to his professional football career, Moore signed a lucrative four-year contract with the Panthers amounting to $11.2 million, inclusive of a $6.2 million signing bonus.

Moore’s professional debut was memorable. Despite facing a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, he managed to record a momentous occasion – his first professional touchdown reception. After the initial setback, Moore found his footing, claiming a memorable victory against the Detroit Lions. His rookie season with the Panthers turned out fruitful, resulting in 55 receptions for 788 yards and two touchdowns. Moore finished his rookie year by joining the elite league of PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Moore’s subsequent seasons with the Panthers marked an array of successes and improved performances. Despite a few losses, he held strong and embarked on an upward graph recording remarkable receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. His dedication remained undeterred even during the pandemic crisis when Moore landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December 2020 but returned to action just a week later.

In April 2021, for his commendable performance, the Panthers exhibited trust in Moore by exercising the fifth-year option on his contract. However, the year following, he decided to recommit to the Panthers agreeing on a three-year hefty contract extension of $61.9 million which would carry through the 2025 season.

In a surprising twist of events, Moore was traded to the Chicago Bears by the Panthers in March 2023. His departure from the Panthers left a significant mark, leaving him fourth in the franchise history with 5,201 receiving yards. Moore’s journey with the Chicago Bears started on a promising note, and he carried his legacy, creating new records.

Notably, in a match against the Washington Commanders, Moore set a single game career high with three touchdowns and also managed to achieve a personal best with 230 yards. Moore even surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in one season, securing a victory over the Minnesota Vikings. His performance with the Bears led to an agreement between both parties on a four-year contract extension worth $110 million.

Moore’s inspiring journey from his early football playing years in high school to the esteemed grounds of the National Football League has been a reflection of his relentless dedication and inherent talent. The future of his career promises to be every bit as bright and exciting as his journey so far.