Ezekiel Aaron Moreno (born October 8, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL).

Zeke Moreno
No. 57, 50
Born: (1978-10-08) October 8, 1978 (age 46)
Chula Vista, California, U.S.
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)LB
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight246 lb (112 kg)
CollegeSouthern California
High schoolCastle Park
NFL draft2001, round: 5, pick: 139
Drafted bySan Diego Chargers
Career history
As player
20012004San Diego Chargers
2005*Houston Texans
2005Philadelphia Eagles
2005Miami Dolphins[1]
2006*Houston Texans
20072008Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2008Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2009Toronto Argonauts
2010Sacramento Mountain Lions
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star2007, 2008
CFL East All-Star2007, 2008
Career stats

American football career
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Moreno, who is of Mexican descent, attended Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, California, and was a letterman in football and baseball.[2] As a freshman, he was called up to the varsity football team for the playoffs.[3]

As a sophomore in 1994, Moreno helped Castle Park to a 12–2 record and a CIF San Diego Section Division II title with a 24–21 victory over Torrey Pines High School.[4][5] On defense, he earned first-team All-San Diego Section Division II honors at linebacker, and on offense, he rushed for 272 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries at running back.[4][6] His head coach, Gil Warren, described him as a "phenom".[7]

As a junior, Moreno suffered a knee injury in Castle Park's Metro Conference championship game victory.[8] The team was later defeated in the CIF San Diego Section Division II semifinals by Escondido High School.[9] Moreno was named the CIF San Diego Section Division II co-Defensive Player of the Year.[10]

As a senior, Moreno led Castle Park to a 13–0 record and a CIF San Diego Section Division II title, recording two interceptions and 21 rushing yards in their 37–10 championship game victory over Carlsbad High School.[11] The team was ranked the no. 1 team in the state in their division.[11] Moreno was named the CIF San Diego Section co-Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to play in the California-Texas Shrine All-Star Game.[12][13]

College career

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Moreno played college football for the University of Southern California's defense from 1998 to 2000. Known as "Zeke And Destroy" by many USC-faithful, Moreno was a force in the middle of the USC defense.

Professional career

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Moreno was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round (139th pick overall) of the 2001 NFL draft.[14] He played for the Chargers for four years (2001–2004). Moreno was released by the Chargers following the 2004 season and was hampered by injuries while trying to find a home with another team in 2005. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 2007. He was selected as a CFL All-Star in 2007 and 2008.

On September 9, 2008, Moreno was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[15]

On February 19, 2009, Moreno was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for defensive end Riall Johnson.[16]

On February 21, 2010, Moreno was released by the Argonauts.

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2001 SDG 16 0 16 14 2 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2002 SDG 16 3 43 36 7 0.0 2 1 8 0 8 1 0 0 0 0
2003 SDG 16 12 95 78 17 2.0 7 0 0 0 0 4 1 2 0 0
2004 SDG 9 0 12 9 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 PHI 4 0 5 2 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 15 171 139 32 3.0 11 1 8 0 8 5 2 2 0 0

Records

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  • Most single season tackles by a Hamilton Tiger-Cat (114)

References

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  1. ^ "Zeke Moreno". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "In The Zone with San Diego Chargers linebacker Zeke Moreno". Open Your Eyes. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2007.
  3. ^ "Prep Football Previews". North County Times. September 27, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "1994 CIF Division II champions!". The Star-News. December 17, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Brents, Phillip (September 6, 1995). "Can the Trojans do it again?". The Star-News. p. 7. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "All-Division CIF-San Diego Section football teams". The Star-News. June 21, 1995. p. 9. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Scouting | Torrey Pines' Opponent: Castle Park". North County Blade-Citizen. December 12, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Howard, Eric (November 8, 1995). "Trojans claim second Metro banner". The Star-News. p. 11. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Monahan, Terry (December 3, 1995). "Quarter-century wait for Cougars ends with win". North County Times. p. 24. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Coaches' All-CIF Football Teams". The Californian. January 7, 1996. p. 21. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Brents, Phillip (December 21, 1996). "Trojans are CIF champions". The Star-News. p. 16. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Maffei, John (December 22, 1996). "Vista's Robinson shares CIF top defensive honor". North County Times. p. 21. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Shrine All-Star Roster". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1997. p. 46. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Blue Bombers tweak trade for Zeke Moreno
  16. ^ Argos acquire Moreno from Bombers
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