Tom Moore Still A Serious Football Guy
July 8th, 2025
Bucs offensive assistant Tom Moore.
Joe has an interesting relationship with Bucs veteran offensive assistant Tom Moore. That is to say, Joe has no relationship with Moore.
A handful of times over the years Joe has tried to talk to Moore, maybe gain insight into the Bucs, maybe find out how he ticks. Moore usually just grunts at Joe and waddles away.
Vita Vea on his Instagram account often tries to get Moore to open up on video. Moore’s less-than-pleased reactions are pretty much how Moore reacts when Joe tries to strike up a conversation.
Actually, Joe did get Moore to say something. It was more accident than conversation and it was certainly a one-way chat. Might have been two sentences.
At the Bucs’ team hotel on a road trip, Joe was talking to Bucs fans from Iowa who were milling about the hotel lobby when Moore just happened to walk by. Joe said something flippant about Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Moore overheard Joe.
Moore scolded Joe, briefly. Very briefly, quickly set Joe straight about Ferentz. That was the most Joe has ever gotten out of Moore over the years.
Joe brings this up because recently, Dan Pompei of The Athletic typed a piece about how Bucs running back Bucky Irving and Moore have grown close since Bucky was drafted last year. It’s sort of the Bucs’ odd couple, as Pompei noted Todd Bowles describes their relationship.
Moore, 87, was born before Pearl Harbor in the depths of the depression in a small town in southeastern Iowa. Bucky was born in Chicago and grew up in the burbs under less-than-ideal conditions.
Bucky was no stranger to murder, having lost his father when he was little and a half-brother while in college playing for Minnesota at the time of the crime.
Bucky and Moore couldn’t be more different, yet they have a common bond: football.
The story is well-written, as one should come to expect from Pompei. Joe had known about Bucky’s rough life but the element of Pompei’s story that stuck out was actually about Moore.
Most guys at 87 — if they are still fortunate enough to be walking around on their own and not in a senior citizen center needing the aid of a walker — are sawing logs at 3:15 a.m.
If they wake (not a sure thing at 87), they may wobble to get a cup of coffee at a neighborhood diner, the highlight of their day if they don’t otherwise have a doctor’s appointment.
But Moore? At 3:15 he’s at his desk at One Buc Palace doing work for the Bucs. Moore mentioned in front of Pompei it’s what he calls his “therapy.”
At three in the morning!
Joe has noticed it’s not uncommon to see Moore at St. Elmo’s or at his hotel bar at night nursing a caramel-colored cocktail the week of the combine. Yet he regularly gets to work at 3:15 a.m. And Moore is 87!
Hell, when Joe’s in Vegas, Joe’s either playing poker or hanging at the bar at 3 a.m. at Aria — Moore is just getting to work. At 87.
Two years ago, Todd Bowles explained Moore’s schedule to Joe on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, and Moore confirmed it.
Per Bowles, Moore arrives in the 2 o’clock hour, works out, showers and is enjoying coffee and settling into film work by the time Bowles arrives. Joe was in disbelief! But Bowles said he wasn’t joking and that Moore leaves the office around 6 p.m. That’s a 15-plus-hour day!
Of all the cool things in Pompei’s story about Bucky and Moore, the former Iowa backup signal-caller who has coached three Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks as an assistant (Terry Bradshaw, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady) still getting to work in the middle of the night each day blows Joe’s mind.
July 8th, 2025 at 12:16 am
This article is a national treasure. Seriously. The world needs to read this. I wish I had a snaptwitbookscape to forward it on.
Tom Moore. Say no moore.
Thank you Joes.
Old school can still be a good school.
July 8th, 2025 at 1:25 am
I think every organization needs a Tom Moore. Sets the bar for the entire work force. He knows his stuff and I don’t think anyone in that locker room would dare to cross swords with him.
Good to know it’s nothing personal Joe. He is indifferent to Vea as well. LOL
Go Bucs!
July 8th, 2025 at 4:12 am
Excellent sentiments, Joe. And all the other articles that you have posted and mentioned Tom Moore’s powerhouse work ethic. We all won’t forget the time you wrote about him walking to One Buc Place because his car wasn’t able to get there. He did get a ride along the way. Moore is a true hero of the team. His nature seems to be no-nonsense, work-driven, and with a heart. Blows my mind too, 15 hours a day and remains focus on winning, no interruptions. Can’t get better than that!
July 8th, 2025 at 6:40 am
I think he deserves a 4th QB on that list and I bet Baker would be proud to be that man!
July 8th, 2025 at 6:41 am
Great story Joe!
July 8th, 2025 at 7:12 am
Nothing but the utmost respect for Tom.
Joe, thank you for sharing this.
Always love to read and learn more about Tom.
July 8th, 2025 at 7:42 am
At his age, a 5-hour night of sleep is pretty normal. I bet he takes a nap somewhere in that 15 hour work day. Probably has a nice place to take a 30 in his office. You got to respect a grinder, probably why he still mentally sharp. John Gruden’s schedule isn’t a whole lot different, I bet he and Moore have a similar circadian rhythm.
These guys are up and working 4-5 hours before the sun comes up!
July 8th, 2025 at 8:29 am
Reading that Athletic article, boy it seemed like Liam Coen does not live by Tom Moore’s 6 words.
July 8th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Working out, getting around, and staying engaged at 87. I’m impressed. Cool story Joe.
July 8th, 2025 at 8:38 am
If you are fortunate enough to do what you love for a living, it’s never considered work. When you have something to look forward to every day, it keeps you going no matter your age. Moore is a very lucky man!
July 8th, 2025 at 8:42 am
great article!!!. If that doesn’t inspire and motivate you well? , check youe pulse
July 8th, 2025 at 8:54 am
I’d be interested in hearing what he does to have that kind of energy. What type of diet does he have, and what supplements does he take (if any)?
I’d kill to have that kind of energy and he’s 20 years older than me. 😉
July 8th, 2025 at 10:35 am
You know why he stays at the office for 15 hours a day? Because at home he has an 80 something year old wife!
July 8th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Joe seriously considered a crack like that but didn’t want to be an a-hole — not saying you are, just that Joe would have caught serious flack for typing that. 🙂
July 8th, 2025 at 11:24 am
Great article. Moore is so deserving of props.