New Steelers LB T.D. Moultry Overcame Impossible Obstacles To Get To the NFL

Story by Yinzer Crazy Co-Founder Mike Nicastro. Follow him on Twitter @MikedUpSports1

Shortly after the NFL draft ended this past Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed 10 undrafted free agents to their roster. One of those men is former Auburn linebacker T.D. Moultry. Moultry’s tortuous story is one that's made up of incredible obstacles, growth, and perseverance. 

In an exclusive interview on our Yinzer Crazy Podcast “Steelers Draft Recap” show that will drop tomorrow, Moultry talked about his rough upbringing.

Back in 2014, in Moultry’s home-city of Birmingham, Alabama, he was enjoying a night out with friends. While hanging at Birmingham Central Park, Moultry was pierced by a bullet that ripped through his right calf during an apparent shootout. He missed his sophomore season of high-school football, and admitted that he wasn’t hanging around with the “right people,” at that age.

In an absolute tragedy, Moultry’s uncle and nephew were also killed around the same time, in a separate incident. 

He knew that he needed to fight for his younger brothers, who looked up to him as a role model, as well as for the rest of his family. So he leaned on football to help overcome the impossible task of resetting his mind. 

“The only thing I was thinking about was could I still play football,” he told AL.com. “God, please let me still play football. Let me be able to run. I’d pray every night, and I still do. I’m still thankful that I’m still here today.”

After the shooting, Moultry spent two days in the hospital, then another month rolling around the Jackson-Olin high school hallways in a wheelchair.

Not only was he still alive, but he was determined to change his lifestyle. Prior to the terrible gunshot wound incident, Moultry sat out his freshman season after transferring from Wenonah high-school. He had only a few years of football under his belt, telling us he hadn't played since the 3rd grade.

When he returned his Junior season, a new Moultry had arrived. 

He burst onto the scene, and by the time his senior year rolled around, he was a first team Maxpreps All America, an ESPN top 20 ranked linebacker, and 247Sports’ third best linebacker in the entire country. He fought through unparalleled tragedy, to become one of the most highly touted players in the nation.

After the season, he was awarded a full scholarship with SEC powerhouse Auburn. In 2017, he wasn’t seeing much playing time on the field, but he was named an “Academic Top Tiger,” due to his classroom performance -- a clear indication of Moultry's determination to be great off the field.

As a senior at Auburn, he accumulated 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Now, he’s a Pittsburgh Steeler. Given his raw talent, and ability to overcome serious obstacles, I wouldn’t discount him from ultimately making the team. 

War Eagle is now flying into the Steel City. And he’s taking the wings he was given by an angel with him.