Exclusive interview with "Arthur Moats"
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and 9 year NFL Veteran, Arthur Moats, is a two-time nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, with the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, for his volunteer and charity work in the community. In 2013, he was the Buffalo Bills’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award which is given to a NFL player from each team who exemplifies the commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. He’s currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers media broadcasting team and recently released a book titled the “Moats Theory Of Life”. Arthur and his family are committed to positively impacting the various communities they hold dear to their hearts.
Your trajectory is quite impressive, ranging from being a retired NFL player, a sportscaster, the host of a podcast, and author, just to name a few. Please tell us how you manage your time and how your journey as an author started?
Managing my time between all those endeavors along with being involved with my family can be challenging at times. The thing that has helped me the most with it though has been my planner. I use it very frequently, not just to schedule shows and appearances, but I also utilize it to block out time for my family. Being able to see what I have scheduled along with being able to remind myself at the same time of my obligations to my family really helps keep my life on track.
Now when it comes to how I became an author, it started at an early age for me, or at least the desire did. I remember being in grade school and thinking to myself how cool it would be to be called “Arthur The Author” and from there the thought just stuck with me. I continued to think about that throughout my collegiate and professional playing years, but the timing was never right to actually write it. That changed once I retired though, and that passion was still burning to be “Arthur The Author” so from there I decided to stop procrastinating and start writing!
What was the most challenging aspect of writing your book?
The most challenging aspect of writing my book was, without a doubt, sharing some of my more personal and intimate moments. I am a private person by nature and that became amplified due to my previous profession as a professional athlete, so trying to be open about some of these moments to the world was a lot for me. I am glad I was able to overcome those challenge though, because hearing the positive responses from it and knowing the impact my journey has made on so many people has made it more than worth it.
Is there a message you want your readers to take away from your book?
Yes indeed, the message I want my readers to leave with is that each of them is special and if they stay motivated, they will be able to achieve greatness! I mean that wholeheartedly because each person is unique and capable of doing things that no one else can. We must embrace that uniqueness and find ways to maximize it so that we can tap into our person greatness that is waiting within each of us ready to be unlocked.
Can we look forward to more books from you?
It is something I am considering; I really enjoyed the process of writing my first book and the reception of it was good. Being able to have a positive impact on people is my passion and to be able to move people with my words is really humbling, so we will see!
Tell us a little about your podcast, “The Arthur Moats Experience with Deke.”
“The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke” podcast is a fun, sports-based show with a focus on Pittsburgh and Buffalo sports teams. My co-host and I have various guests join us on the show ranging from Hall of Fame athletes to Actors, all sharing their stories of success, perseverance, plus more. The podcast and a lot more of my media content is available at YouTube.com/ArthurMoats55 and for the audio only, you can access that anywhere that hosts podcasts.
How was your transition from being on the field to being a sportscaster off of the field?
My transition from being on the field to in front of a microphone as a sportscaster has been a blast. I really enjoy being able to take my knowledge and experience from my previous career and being able to use it to help make sports more understandable for people. There is a lot of nuance to the NFL that a lot of people are not aware of, and it is always fun being able to enlighten people about it in a positive way.
You’ve been honored with the “Walter Payton Man of the Year Award” by two different NFL teams for your work on and off of the field! Congratulations! Can you tell our readers a little about the amazing philanthropic work you’ve done?
Thanks, I really appreciate that. Being named the “Walter Payton Man of the Year” for two different NFL organizations is still very humbling and one of my most proud accomplishments as a professional athlete. My family and I are always looking to support our various passions along with finding new ones. Throughout the years my family has been big supporters of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh where I have sat on the Board since 2015 along with my wife being a committee member, James Madison University where I completed my undergrad, along with the United Way to name a few. My family and I believe that with this position we are in, we should utilize it to improve the lives or as many people as we can.
Not many people can say that they’ve played in the NFL, yet you’ve played in the national football league for the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinal! Wow!! What advice would you give to young athletes with dreams of playing professional football?
The advice I would give young athletes with aspirations of playing professionally, is to GO FOR IT! So many times, people have dreams and goals and never pursue them because “it didn’t make sense”, “is too hard”, or someone else said they were not good enough. I heard those exact same words numerous times throughout my life and if I listened to them, you would not be reading this right now. Instead, I decided to take a leap of faith and bet on myself and it worked. I am not saying you are always going to achieve your goals, but you owe it to yourself to go after them fully. By pursuing your dreams, even if you fall short, what you will gain along the process will be invaluable and have you more than prepared for whatever else my come your way.
On a more personal note: Tell us a little about your “real” (non-business) life — family, hobbies, etc.
Now it is time for the fun to start. When it comes to my “real” life, I vary from virtual student/teacher when I help my son with school, basketball coach for my daughter’s 8th grade team, “DIY” assistant for my middle daughter who loves creating any and everything, and lastly but most importantly husband to my amazing wife who deals with me while being the backbone of our family. I just really enjoy being able to be a part of these moments because during my playing days I did not have this luxury. Now when I have some “me” time, I love playing video games, buying new shoes, and cooking on the grill!
Any advice for aspiring authors who may be reading this interview?
The advice I would give aspiring authors is to enjoy the creative process. In life we get so caught up in the results and outcome that we forget to enjoy the journey. During the creative process, you tap into certain emotions and feelings that are unique and you do not normally experience them, both good and bad. So, enjoy those moments and remember why you are creating your work instead of getting lost in the results.
Where can readers buy your book?
My book is available at MoatsTheory.com and YES, I strongly recommend it for anyone looking to become a person of impact and inspiration.
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
What is next for me is continuing to grow my media company which hosts my podcast and my various other media work, along with being the best husband and father I can be for my family. Along with having a ton of fun during the process.
What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, etc.)?
The best way for people to get in touch or follow my journey is to checkout my website ArthurMoats55.com, my verified Instagram account (@DaBody52), or YouTube.com/ArthurMoats55.
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