Tony Moeaki Explained

Tony Moeaki
Number:81, 82, 88
Position:Tight end
Birth Date:June 8, 1987
Birth Place:Warrenville, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lbs:270
High School:Wheaton Warrenville South
(Wheaton, Illinois)
College:Iowa (2005–2009)
Draftyear:2010
Draftround:3
Draftpick:93
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statvalue1:91
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statvalue2:1,201
Statlabel3:Receiving touchdowns
Statvalue3:6
Pfr:MoeaTo00

Anthony Moeaki (born June 8, 1987) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at Iowa. He was selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, and also played for the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Atlanta Falcons.

Early life

Anthony graduated high school at Wheaton Warrenville South High School in 2005 and was high school football teammates with fellow Iowa Hawkeye Dace Richardson. In addition to football, he was also played basketball and tennis.

College career

Moeaki played college football at the University of Iowa from 2005 to 2009.

Statistics

!!width=30
width=30width=30width=30width=30
2005Iowa Hawkeyes811214.0360
2006Iowa Hawkeyes1114012.7353
2007Iowa Hawkeyes1417012.1523
2008Iowa Hawkeyes1314411.1481
2009Iowa Hawkeyes3038712.9544
TOTAL7695312.55411

Professional career

Pre-draft

Moeaki was projected to be a third or fourth round pick in the 2010 NFL draft by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the seventh tight end prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and was ranked the eighth best tight end by Bleacher Report.[1]

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Moeaki in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2010 NFL draft. The Kansas City Chiefs traded their fourth (102nd overall) and fifth round picks (144th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft to the Houston Texans in order to acquire the third round pick (93rd overall) used to draft Moeaki.[2] Moeaki was the fourth tight end drafted from a class that included Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Gresham, and Jimmy Graham.[3]

On July 22, 2010, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Moeaki to a four-year, $2.47 million contract.[4]

He scored his first NFL touchdown in his first NFL game on Monday Night Football on September 13, 2010, on a 2-yard pass from quarterback Matt Cassel against the San Diego Chargers. Following the game against the San Francisco 49ers Moeaki received the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award after he put up 44 receiving yards and a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab.

On September 1, 2011, Moeaki was placed on IR after suffering an injury during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, which kept him out of the 2011 NFL season.[5] He was reunited with quarterback Ricky Stanzi in 2011 when the Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the 5th round.

Moeaki shared the starting role with Kevin Boss until Boss went on the IR in Week 2, when he became the primary tight end. He ended up with 33 receptions for 453 yards and a touchdown.

After fracturing his shoulder in the preseason, Moeaki was waived with an injury designation on August 31, 2013.[6] He cleared waivers and was added to the Chiefs' injured reserve list. On October 23, an injury settlement was reached and Moeaki became a free agent.[7]

Buffalo Bills

On December 4, 2013, Moeaki signed with the Buffalo Bills.[8] On August 29, 2014, Moeaki was released during the Bills' final preseason roster cutdowns.[9]

Seattle Seahawks

Moeaki signed with the Seattle Seahawks on November 4, 2014.[10] In his second game with the Seahawks, Moeaki scored a touchdown against his former team, the Chiefs.[11]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 19, 2015, Moeaki signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[12] On September 5, 2015, Moeaki was released by the Falcons.[13] On October 6, 2015, Moeaki was re-signed by the Falcons.[14]

Chicago Bears

On June 16, 2016, Moeaki signed with the Chicago Bears.[15] He was cut at the end of training camp on September 3, 2016.[16]

Personal life

Moeaki is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.[17]

Moeaki's father, Sione Moeaki, won a national championship as a member of Brigham Young University Rugby Team and was a Deans assistant at West Chicago Community High School.

In 2010, Moeaki's sister and former BYU basketball player, Keilani Moeaki, married former Chicago Bears running back Harvey Unga.[18] [19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roberts . Kevin . January 26, 2010 . 2010 NFL Draft: Tight End Rankings . January 25, 2019 . bleacherreport.com.
  2. Web site: Thorman . Chris . April 24, 2010 . 2010 NFL Draft: Please Welcome Seven New Kansas City Chiefs . January 25, 2019 . arrowheadpride.com.
  3. Web site: 2010 NFL Draft Listing . May 13, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  4. Web site: Thorman . Joel . July 22, 2010 . Tony Moeaki Gets Four-Year Deal, Chiefs Confirm Signing . January 25, 2019 . arrowheadpride.com.
  5. News: Thorman . Joel . October 1, 2010 . Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki Takes Home NFL Rookie Of The Week . October 1, 2010.
  6. Web site: Sessler . Marc . August 31, 2013 . Tony Moeaki waived/injured by Kansas City Chiefs . September 1, 2013 . NFL.com.
  7. Web site: Teicher . Adam . October 23, 2013 . Chiefs still feeling loss of Moeaki . June 18, 2016 . ESPN.com.
  8. Web site: Brown . Chris . December 4, 2013 . TE Tony Moeaki signed by Bills . June 19, 2016 . www.buffalobills.com.
  9. Web site: September 1, 2014 . Tony Moeaki released from IR after reaching settlement . June 19, 2016 . www.buffalobills.com.
  10. Web site: Condotta . Bob . November 4, 2014 . Seahawks sign tight end Tony Moeaki, bring back Bryan Walters . June 18, 2016 . SeattleTimes.com.
  11. Web site: Rosen . Jeff . November 16, 2014 . Former Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki scores with new team, the Seahawks . June 18, 2016 . KansasCity.com.
  12. News: Adams . Jay . March 19, 2015 . Falcons Continue to Add to TE Position . March 19, 2015 . atlantafalcons.com.
  13. News: September 5, 2015 . Falcons Reach 52 Man Roster . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107002442/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Reach-52-Man-Roster/7597ea7c-5788-4280-9657-a3b7aade9941 . November 7, 2017 . September 5, 2015 . atlantafalcons.com.
  14. News: October 6, 2015 . Falcons Place WR Hester On Short-Term IR . October 6, 2015 . atlantafalcons.com.
  15. Web site: Mayer . Larry . June 16, 2016 . Bears end offseason program, sign two . June 19, 2016 . www.chicagobears.com . June 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160619201730/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-end-offseason-program-sign-two/1c70b42a-6893-45ac-a239-78fb25410a5e . dead .
  16. Web site: September 3, 2016 . Tony Moeaki: Contract terminated by Bears . CBSSports.com.
  17. Web site: Morehouse . Marc . Much more to Moeaki than crutches . The Gazette . 2009-07-28 . 2024-07-26.
  18. News: July 17, 2010 . Harvey Unga gets married . Daily Herald . April 19, 2012 . August 25, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100825231042/http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/article_109e8de3-1fe8-5b97-84c7-2b3507e23e86.html . dead .
  19. News: January 17, 2013 . Keilani Unga works her way back for senior season after life-changing event . Deseret News.