Sept. 29, 2010
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – – Former University of Iowa football tight end Tony Moeaki has made quite the name for himself early in his pro career as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Moeaki, one of five players from Iowa’s 2009 squad to make an NFL roster and one of 36 former Hawkeyes in the NFL, has recorded 12 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
One of the touchdown receptions helped lead the Chiefs to their first 3-0 start since 2003. The touchdown catch is also one of the best catches of the year, thus far. It was seen on numerous highlight reels, including ESPN’s No. 1 Play of the Day from Sunday.
Moeaki, who wore No. 81 at Iowa, wears No. 81 for the Chiefs. In his first game, Moeaki’s first NFL reception resulted in his first career touchdown in a Monday Night Football win over the San Diego Chargers. He recorded three receptions for 21 yards to lead the Chiefs in receiving. In the Chiefs second game, a win over the Cleveland Browns, he led the team again in receiving, tallying five catches for 58 yards. Moeaki, a teammate of former Hawkeye Casey Wiegmann, led the Chiefs with four receptions in the team’s win over the San Francisco 49ers in week three.
Among tight ends, he is currently tied for 15th in the NFL with 12 receptions and tied for third with two scores. Another former Hawkeye tight end, Dallas Clark, leads the league with 21 receptions.
Moeaki, a Hawkeye team captain in 2009, was named first team all-Big Ten by league coaches and second team all-Big Ten by league media last season. In addition, he was one of eight semi-finalists for the John Mackey Award. Moeaki finished his Iowa career with 76 receptions for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns.