Section D/Sports – Columnists
Fightin’ Gator Alex Moore Dies of Heart Failure
Karen Wolfendale
Alex Moore, a junior wide receiver for the Gainesville University football program, collapsed due to an apparent heart failure during drills at practice yesterday morning. Emergency medical technicians rushed Moore to North Florida Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 9:32 EST.
Team doctors gave Moore a clean bill of health at the start of the season, following surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee earlier this year. This past Saturday, the receiver recorded eleven receptions and was instrumental in a hard-fought Gator victory, finishing the game without any apparent health issues.
“It’s a stunning blow for our program and the university,” said Head Coach Elvis Goddard. “Alex Moore was an inspiration to everyone on this team. He was totally committed to fight back from his injury and to play to the very best of his God-given abilities. The only solace we have is that Alex spent his last minutes on this earth surrounded by his teammates—his football family, preparing for the game he loved. I’m sure that his spirit and memory will remain a vital part of this team.”
ESPN football analysts had projected Moore as a late first-round or early second-round pick in next year’s NFL draft. Moore had no history of heart disease. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Moore, of Alachua.
According to published studies, approximately one out of every 200,000 athletes dies due to unexpected cardiac arrest each year. The event is usually precipitated by physical activity.
“Alex was the hardest worker I ever knew,” said Carter Gardner, who was Moore’s roommate and the first to reach him on the practice field after he collapsed. “Alex was holding on with everything he had. I could see it in his eyes. He fought until his heart stopped beating. After the EMTs put Alex in the ambulance, we all held hands in a circle and got down on one knee to pray.”
Funeral services for Alex Moore are scheduled for Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Alachua.
The Gators play their next game the following night at home against Furman University.