Gorman: In charity, Moats 'undefeated'
Arthur Moats isn't about counting his blessings so much as he is sharing them, a tradition passed down from his parents and one he hopes pays forward.
What started with Arthur and Rosalind Moats delivering loaves of bread to the less fortunate and hot chocolate to the homeless has led their son to lend a helping hand.
The Steelers linebacker expresses his creativity with charitable causes, whether it's wearing custom cleats to benefit the Ronald McDonald House or going undercover as “Ricky Justice” to help children pick out new bedroom sets at Bob's Discount Furniture.
It's why his wife, Shonda, suggested surprising 20 teenagers from the LaRosa Boys & Girls Club in McKeesport with $200 gift cards for a Christmas shopping spree at American Eagle Outfitters.
Moats, maybe as much as anyone, understands the power of being a professional athlete in Pittsburgh.
Especially a Steeler.
“I feel like with this platform, we're able to get into doors that most people wouldn't be able to get into. The people who I interact with are going to receive it a lot better as Arthur Moats the Pittsburgh Steeler versus Arthur Moats, the parent, the husband,” Moats said.
“You go to a school, and your teacher tells you every day, ‘Do your homework, study and you'll be successful.' How many kids blow that off? If I come in as Arthur Moats, Pittsburgh Steeler, and say that exact same message verbatim, those kids are going to take that and run with it.
“That's just the platform that we have. There's no rhyme or reason to it. When somebody in my position does something like that, you're always going to remember. It's going to go a long way.”
Moats was recognized for his charitable contributions this past week, when he was the Steelers' nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
“It's a great feeling any time you're recognized for things like that,” Moats said. “That's not the purpose of you doing the work, but it always feels good when you are recognized.”
The timing couldn't be better for Moats, who returns Sunday to Buffalo for the first time in the regular season since he left the Bills in 2014 to sign with the Steelers.
Moats has started 25 games at left outside linebacker over three seasons — and ranks second on the team with 3 1⁄2 sacks this season — but his playing time has decreased since 2015 first-round pick Bud Dupree returned from injury.
Moats has only increased his off-field contributions for the Steelers, who also nominated him last month for the league's Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
“You don't do for others just because things are going good, just because you're in a good mood,” said Moats, who will match donations up to $55,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities until Dec. 31. “There's plenty of times where I may have went to a charity event, and I might have had a bad day but when I get there I'm able to put that smile on their face. At the end, when you see how impactful that is, it's ultimately going to make you feel better anyway.”
Moats hopes his charitable contributions inspire others to live their life with an attitude of gratitude, regardless of whether the Steelers win or lose.
“I try to keep the two separated. I feel like I'm undefeated as a charity guy. You know what I mean?” Moats said. “Work is work, football is football, but charity? I'm undefeated. I win the Super Bowl every year.”
Send holiday cheers to Moats, who continues a family tradition of reminding us the reason for the season.
Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at kgorman@tribweb.com or via Twitter @KGorman_Trib.
