By Travis Connelley

Southwest Sports Information Director

PEARL — Team captain, Honorable Mention All-State, Best Lineman and Mississippi Jr. College All-Star are just some of the multiple accolades that former Southwest Football player Samuel “Sambo” Moore earned during his time as a Bear. 

But there is one that he recently earned that holds a special place in his heart. Moore was recognized Tuesday evening as the Southwest Inductee in the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024. 

He was honored along with 14 other individuals representing the other schools in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference during the annual ceremony held Tuesday evening at the Hinds Community College Muse Center in Pearl. 

“I tell you, I think actually it is something that I deserve,” said a humble Moore. “Let me tell you something, Southwest football is tough. I went from Southwest to Delta State and Southwest was tougher than Delta State, I think. Hall of Fame, that is quite an honor and I am in a class of extraordinary individuals and it makes me feel like I accomplished something.” 

Moore’s journey began back in his native Tylertown where he graduated from Tylertown High School in 1966. There he earned All-Conference Honors during his final two years as a Blue Devil while also garnering the Best Lineman Award. 

Afterwards, Moore got a scholarship to play football at Southwest. He adds that he endured many highs at Southwest but there were some unfortunate lows as well.

“At Southwest, I was there a year and a half,” Moore said. “It was a year and a half of some of the best years of my life but also some of the hardest years of my life. I lost both of my grandfathers while I was at Southwest but I found my wife so that shaped my future. I met a lot of great friends. I didn’t know how much I love Southwest until I left. I had great coaches in Coach (Jerry) Reid and Coach (Joe) Jordan and they cared about us. It was just a wonderful time.”

After graduating from Delta State with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he went to work with Shell Offshore, Inc. adding that it was the only full-time job he has had since graduating college. He remained with Shell for over 29 years before retiring. He has also been involved in farming over the past 43 years which includes row cropping, cattle and timber farming. 

Moore said that leadership qualities he learned while playing football at Southwest has helped him not only in his career but also in his faith. He has served for the past 42 years as an ordained deacon at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He has also served on a number of committees including Chairman of the Building Committee, designing and constructing a 17,000 square foot Family Life Center and is currently serving on the Long Range Planning Committee considering a new Sanctuary. Building the Family Life Center was a project he focused on after retiring from Shell and one that he is very proud of. 

“For five and a half years I built a building for the church,” he said. “It has been a tremendous blessing for the church and my early retirement has helped me do that.” 

Moore now adds his name to the list of several former Bears and Lady Bears who are past recipients of the Hall of Fame honor. He said that he is thrilled to even be mentioned with them.

“It is a tremendous honor because I know a lot of those guys and they are legends at Southwest,” Moore said. “I am just fortunate to be amongst them.” 

Moore adds that he was very happy to share the moment Tuesday with his wife Tomma and his family. 

“It is always special to have my family, we are very close,” he said. “It means the world to me for them to be here.”