In many ways, when Maya Moore announced that she would be taking a leave from her WNBA career to make a foray into criminal justice pursuits, she was following the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by dedicating her life to a cause bigger than herself.
She was successful in getting the 50-year prison sentence of Jonathan Irons overturned for a crime he did not commit. Moore and Irons then later announced that they had became married.
Moore appeared virtually at Syracuse University for its 36th Annual MLK Celebration and spoke about her work in Missouri that eventually got Irons freed. The seminar was put together by Sean Dorcellus, a senior at Syracuse. Among those that attended were members of the Syracuse women’s basketball team.
Part of what Moore talked about to those that took part was how she defined the concept of purpose – something that for her shifted to what she wanted to do away from basketball.
I think one of the best ways to describe purpose for me and what I was thinking about and what I continuously think about is I think purpose is centered around relationships.
–Maya Moore at Syracuse University (CNY Central)
Really proud of my guy @SeanDorcellus who is interviewing UConn/WNBA legend & Civil Rights activist Maya Moore right now as part of a Syracuse University series. pic.twitter.com/LTmFrHYgpK
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) January 28, 2021
Another topic she spoke of are the comparisons between woman and male athletes. Moore believes that woman athletes cannot be measured by the standard of how male athletes perform given that male athletes, such as LeBron James, also have limitations that are commonly only bestowed upon women.
There are things that LeBron can do with his body that I’ll never be able to do, and that’s okay. But there are things that I can do with my body that LeBron can’t do.
–Maya Moore at Syracuse University (The Daily Orange)
If you’re not listening to Maya Moore speak at Syracuse right now, I’d encourage you to hop on. It’s worth your time. Hearing her speak about her advocacy, the importance of rest, and her overall journey, in her own words is truly moving.
— Katie Barnes (@katie_barnes3) January 28, 2021
Even though Moore has won four WNBA championships in her career – all with the Minnesota Lynx as the cornerstone of the Lynx’s 2010s dynasty – she wants everyone to know that she does not define her life by the championships and gold medals she has won through basketball. Moore understands that there is more to life than just a court, a ball and a hoop.
It’s important for me to remember that, even though I won a lot, that’s not the most important thing about me.
–Maya Moore at Syracuse University (The Daily Orange)
