Articles ~ Believe in Your Abilities - the Untold Story of Kellen Moore

You are told the characteristics required to do what you love doing and want to do it for many years. But you possess none of the stipulated characteristics. What do you do? Do you start pitying yourself or move on to other options, even though you might not enjoy them?

Kellen Moore, speaking at the 15th anniversary of Kituku & Associates, in 2012 seminar told of an article he read when he played football as a quarterback in high school and was looking forward to opportunities to play in college. It was written by Mike Belotti, the former head coach of Oregon University football team, on the important physical attributes and skill abilities he looked for when recruiting quarterbacks for his team. Kellen said he had none of the listed characteristics.

But Kellen’s focus and desire to play college football was not diminished by what he could not control. He could do nothing to change his height, a few inches what the coach considered ideal, and all the other attributes stipulated by coach Belotti as to what makes a quarterback great. Mr. Moore focused on what he could control—being the best quarterback by using what he had.

Here is a brief highlight of his achievements as the quarterback of the Boise State University football team: 2-time All-American; 50–3 as a starting QB; Touchdown Club of Columbus Quarterback of the Year (2010 & 2011); 2011 Maaco Bowl Las Vegas - Boise State 56, Arizona State 24; 2010 Heisman Trophy finalist; 2010 Maaco Bowl Las Vegas - Boise State 26, Utah 3; FWAA All-American (2010); AP 3rd team (2010); First-team All-America (SI, ESPN, CBSSportsline) (2009); First-team All-WAC (2009 & 2010); WAC Offensive Player of the Year (2009 & 2010); WAC Championship (2008, 2009, 2010); and, of course, the amazing 2010 Fiesta Bowl - Boise State 17, TCU 10 victory.

Here is a footnote. Kellen’s first away game was against Mike Belotti’s team. Kellen won. He credited his life long coach and father, Tom Moore, for instilling in him work ethics that have served him well. Tom had a huge poster that read: NO EXCUSES in the football players’ weight room.

Chris Petersen, BSU football head coach taught Kellen the value of being in the moment — a moment when whatever else is going on in the world becomes secondary so one can focus on the task at hand, whether it is football practice, doing homework, or creating a business plan. Kellen also spoke about Petersen’s commitment to consistency, the crucible for predictable success.

Very few people have heard the name Bush Hamdan, the back up quarterback. Yet Kellen couldn’t say enough about this man’s influence on him as a quarterback and team leader. Bush shared with Kellen a life perspective, off the football field, on what matters the most. He told Kellen that life expectancy in America is 78 years and the average player in the National Football League lasts only 3 years as a professional, thus retiring at 26 years old assuming they are recruited at 23.

Bush’s message was focus on education and whatever else you will need and do beyond football. A five year member of the BSU team as a quarterback, Bush never really played, yet his lessons live on. Our lives become valuable based on how we share ourselves with others. Kellen took Bush Hamdan’s advice to heart and looked up to Bush in ways words can’t describe.

Vision, self-confidence, hard work and humility are key attributes that made Kellen Moore the most successful college football quarterback to date. He is so humble that he seems to be in pain when talking about success. He has been hired as the Saints NFL team head coach.