Moses Making Family History at Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. -- Attending the University of Oklahoma means more to senior tight end James “Bubba” Moses than just playing football. Getting an education and making his family proud is what matters most to him.

Graduating from college is an accomplishment for anyone, but for Moses it will also mean making family history.

Moses' two older sisters, Kiki, 26, and Keisha, 25, have their master's degrees, but with Moses receiving his bachelor's degree in sociology this year, he will become the first male on either side of his family to graduate from college.

Moses' mother, Dorothy, always pushed hard for her kids to succeed in school. She stressed that education was the one thing nobody can take away.

Bubba Moses Bio, Stats & Photos | Sooner Gameday Central - UCLA

“I always told him to do it for himself,” she said. “It makes me feel wonderful.”

Moses' parents and his two sisters have always been his biggest supporters and motivators.

“There were times I wanted to quit or give up in school and life. I might have done it if not for my parents and my sisters,” Moses said. “My sisters are always telling me not to quit.”

The road has not always been an easy one for Moses. He has had his share of bumps along the way. However, he has always had family support.

One thing that has helped Moses get through tough times is a simple necklace he wears every day. Engraved on dog tags are the names of his sisters. This was not a gift, but something Moses did for himself.

“Anytime I'm having a bad day or feel like giving up, I look down at their names and that keeps me going,” Moses said.

Besides looking to his sisters for encouragement, Moses' mother has also played a big role in helping him get to where he is today.

“I'm a momma's boy,” Moses said. “I love my mom. I really do and I can't let her down.”

Moses' mother says she taught her kids from an early age to put the Lord first, respect other people and be compassionate in all activities. It's something her children have carried with them throughout their lives. Even today Moses can be heard saying, “Yes ma'am,” and, “No sir.”

“It gives me a sense of comfort knowing I've done something right as a Christian mother,” said Dorothy Moses. “I instilled something in them from the time they were little and they haven't deviated from it. My kids haven't given me one ounce of trouble.”

Moses' father, James, or “Pops” as his son calls him, has also played a significant role in his life, but in a different manner.

“His dad has always been more stern and the disciplinarian,” Dorothy Moses said. “He's always telling Bubba to take care of his business and to keep his nose clean.”

With his dad making sure his son was responsible, Moses' mother made sure Bubba knew she was always around if he needed a hug.

“I believe in hugging and have always told my kids that it's so very important to show affection to the people you love,” Dorothy said.

When Moses came to college, his mother made him an imaginary box full of hugs and kisses. If he ever needed a hug, he could reach in there, get one and everything would be okay.

“Every time I talk to my mom, she says the same thing: You okay, you loving yourself, you need anything, do you need a hug?'” Moses said.

Dorothy Moses says she wants to make sure her son remembers to love himself. She says she knows it's not always easy, especially being away from home, going to practice in Oklahoma's ever-changing weather and going to school.

With his family always backing him, Moses has remained steadfast. It doesn't go unnoticed that in everything he does Moses seems intent on accomplishing one thing: making his family proud.

“My family is going to critique me more than anybody,” Moses said. “I don't want to let them down.”

Entering his last year as a Sooner and on his way to being the first male college graduate in his family, he doesn't have to worry about that.

“He stood in there in good times and bad. He didn't drop the ball and he completed,” his mother said. “We're extremely proud.”

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