By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
After his team suffered its first loss of the season last week to O’Dea High School, West Seattle High School senior wide receiver LJ Moody sees the setback as a valuable learning experience that could help his team make a deep run in the state playoffs.
“I was very excited to play O’Dea. That game gave us a very clear idea of what playoffs are going to be like, and I think it helped us get ready,” said Moody. “We have been really locked in this year in practices, and we are trying to build that bond outside of football, which is something we really lacked last year, and I think that has been key to our success this year.”
Ever since he first watched a football game on ESPN, Moody has been drawn to the sport, and playing wide receiver has given him the opportunity to impact the game and help his team win.
“I have been playing football for so many years, I think since I was five years old. I remember first watching it on TV, and football really stood out to me because of the physicality of the sport,” said Moody. “I love my position because the feeling of being able to catch the ball, go for a touchdown, and connect with my quarterback is a good feeling. And on defense, it feels good to make a big play and help get the momentum [of the game] to the offense.”
Moody joined West Seattle last year after attending Mariner High School and Everett High School, where he played both quarterback and safety. His mother, Tonya Moody, said she has loved watching him adapt to a football program that was very different from what he was used to.
“He went from being at a school where there was a whole lot of similar competition as him, and then when he came to West Seattle, it took a lot of relearning of how they operated, and figuring out how he could fit in and work as a team and not just be the one that stood out all the time,” said Tonya. “He showed real growth and leadership, being able to spread the love around and not have it be just about him. He always encourages everybody, even when he is not having a great game.”
“He has always been a great teammate, but I would say [since being at West Seattle] he has grown into an even better teammate,” she added.
When Moody first joined the West Seattle team, he wasn’t immediately seeking a leadership role, preferring to first find his footing. However, when asked by head coach Anthony Stordahl to step forward and help lead the team, Moody accepted the challenge and then modified his mental approach to the game and his team.
“One day coach said we need to talk. And he said, you know you are good, and I see that, but this team needs to be good also,” said Moody. “And it was a big step from just being worried about my future and how I am going to do in our game, to how my team is going to do in the game and what is everybody else is going to do after football.”
Moody says the thing that stands out the most to him about this season is the bond that the team established before the season even began.
“We played during the offseason, so the chemistry coming into [the season] was great, and it helped build everything stronger,” said Moody. “Just knowing what we have been through, even bad practices, and then going to the game locked in and just seeing how well we fight through adversity is what I will always remember about this team.”
Tonya said her son has always preferred spending his time in the gym, constantly honing his skills, and she is incredibly proud to see him become the athlete she always knew he could become.
“Everybody always told him, stop with the showboating. Don’t do the spins and the moves and just run. But I have always encouraged him to yes listen to your coaches, but be who you are,” said Tonya. “Be yourself and be the athlete that you are, and he did that this year. He had just the right amount of coaching ability, but still individuality, and that I loved.”
For both Moody and his mother, West Seattle’s recent game against Ingraham was a defining moment in his young football career. For Moody, it was all about the post-game celebration — dumping the Gatorade bucket on his coach in triumph. But for Tonya, the real highlight was watching her son evolve into a true team player right before her eyes.
“He had three touchdowns that game, but when he wasn’t making a play for himself, he was creating space for whoever had the ball. I remember a running back was confused on where to go, and you could see him waving his hand to tell him to follow him,” said Tonya. “And I think he got three blocks off for him, and the kid ended up scoring a touchdown. And that to me was great, because I realized that he wasn’t just playing by himself anymore, and that he was a part of that team.”
Tonya, whom Moody looks up to most, hopes her son takes away from this season the lesson that you become your best by competing against the best.
“When you have competition who is not up to the standard that you are, you can always look great, but there is always going to be someone better than you that you should be trying to outdo,” said Tonya. “I always try to instill in him, don’t ever be complacent. Even when you are great, there is always somebody better than you that you need to strive to be better than.”
