Herman Moore was born in Virginia and played at the University of Virginia, where his size, speed and soft hands made him a dominant college receiver.

In 1990, he received All-American honors for his receiving yard and touchdown record, which would lead to the Detroit Lions selecting him 10th overall in the 1991 NFL Draft.

Moore was something of a quiet rookie as he adjusted to the NFL and its demands, but he soon became an important weapon for the Lions’ offense.

By 1992, he was a primary passer, using his impressive 6’4 frame and quickness to create mismatches with defenders that would eventually lead to him being considered one of the leagues most fearsome receivers by the mid-1990s.

In his four straight Pro Bowl selections and three straight All-Pro seasons from 1994 to 1997, he averaged over 100 receptions and 1,300 yards per season and by 1995 he had 123 receptions under his belt, his highest single-season NFL record and one of his best single seasons in league history, with 1,686 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

Moore could make contested catches, stretch the field, and rule the red zone – long before Calvin Johnson, aka “Megatron,” took the mantle from Matthew Stafford.

During his time with the Lions, Moore shared the spotlight with franchise face and fan-favorite, the legendary running back Barry Sanders.

Together, they gave Detroit one of the league’s most balanced and electrifying offenses.

Defense leaned heavily on Sanders, but Moore punished them when they stacked the box.

In fact, Moore and fellow wideout Brett Perriman were the NFL’s first pair of receivers to reach over 100 catches in a single season in 1995.

Sadly, by 1998, injuries and age would lead to Moore’s career beginning to taper off.
While he shifted away from the spotlight during this period, he remained a popular leader and a reliable target until his release from the Lions in 2001.
He then played briefly for the New York Giants before giving up football altogether.
From there, Moore became a businessman and broadcaster, starting his own marketing and branding firm, Team 84, and even occasionally appearing as a sports commentator.

Herman Moore may not get the national recognition of Jerry Rice or Cris Carter, but in a franchise often lacking stability, he brought consistency, dominance and professionalism.

Herman Moore was the wideout who set the standard for soft hands, big plays, and loyalty to the Lions’ roar.

For that, Detroit football fans will always hold him in high regard.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: August 23, 2025