EDMONTON, AB – One thing about Kyran, is he always gives you Moore.
The diminutive wide receiver (by pro-football standards) is the type of player you give an inch and he takes a foot. Moore led the Canadian Football League in yards-after-catch last season with 490 of his 743 receiving yards coming with the ball already in his hands.
With full season inside the Elks offence under his belt and veteran signal caller McLeod Bethel-Thompson under centre, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic that Moore can better that mark in 2024.
In the latest Elks in the Offseason, GoElks.com sits down with the man people call ‘Swerve.’
How is your off season going so far?
Good. Just been chilling, spending some time with the family, you know, starting to get ready to get back up.
Where do you spend your time in the off season?
In Birmingham, Alabama.
For people up here who’ve maybe never been to Birmingham, how would you describe the city to them?
I mean, I wouldn’t say it’s a big city, but it isn’t a small city. Birmingham is kind of cool. We’re known for our iron that’s why it’s called the Steel City.
What is a day in the life of Kyran Moore look like these days?
Well, I wake up with my daughter and my girl. We probably go to the gym, maybe go to a jump place with my daughter, and maybe go to a dog park and take my dog for a walk.
What kind of dog do you have?
A Goldendoodle named Kapri. With a K.
What do you do to relax when you’re at home? Do you have any off season hobbies?
I mean, mainly I really just get on the game when I’m not playing with my daughter or the dog. I really just be on the game playing Madden or (NBA)2k.
Who’s your team in Madden?
I play with the Cowboys, but I’m not a Cowboy fan. It just works well for the game.
Yeah, Elks Swerve when we drive.@moore_of_kyran in 2024. #OurTeamOurCity #GoElks #CFL pic.twitter.com/i4TMD4lEEV
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) January 12, 2024
Last season was pretty successful one for you, you led the league in yards after catch. What are your thoughts on your year in general.
I thought I had a good year. It was my first full season coming back since I took my ACL in 2021. So for my first full season to come back in and lead the league in yards after catch, it really let me know I had a good season, so I’m really looking forward to this one.
How was the rehab like that? Coming back from an ACL injury and kind of having to find out if you can still kind of play at the level that you played at in the past?
The rehab was good. I had ended up getting my surgery in Regina, and two weeks after my surgery, I walked myself to the airport. I did my physical therapy down here at St. Vincent’s Hospital with Dr. Andrew — that’s my guy. I mean, it was really good because the only time that I really wore knee brace was in the wheelchair after surgery.
As far as rehab goes, I did everything without the knee brace and I felt really confident. I probably did maybe three days of rehab a week, for about 2 hours. The process, it wasn’t as hard as people said that it would be, but I guess I just had a different mindset going through.
Was it rewarding to know that all the rehab work that you did put in kind of came to fruition with having a successful season last year?
When I came back up to Saskatchewan in Labour Day of 2022, I actually came back earlier than expected. They said it was a 9-12 month process and I think I came back in eight, so it was really just a blessing throughout the whole process. And I’m just happy to see the hard work paying off.
What’s the excitement level to work with this quarterback room with McLeod Bethel-Thompson now and also Tre Ford still in the fold?
I’m really looking forward to this season. You mentioned the signing of McLeod Bethel-Thompson, I’m really looking forward to that. You know, joining that already good quarterback room. I’m also looking for a year two, and having a full season with coach JJ (Jarious Jackson) being the offensive coordinator.
I’m just ready to see how everything plays out. I’m excited to have a second year being with coach Jones also, you can just see the difference.
Did things feel a little bit different under Jarious Jackson when he became the OC?
My role really was the same. I mean, when coach took over the offense, I definitely got the ball a little bit more. It was definitely a good experience, just going through it with Jarious.
Last question for you. What is your favorite thing about Canada and what do you tell your friends down south about playing up here?
“I always advise my friend down south that if ‘y’all still trying to play ball, come play in the CFL.’ I just love Canada, you know, just the scenery, the people and how they treat you, and the food also.
There’s just a whole lot I love about Canada, but the number one thing that stands out would definitely be the scenery.