Moore-Jacobs, 17, has suffered from asthma since he was an infant. He was hospitalized off and on from the ages of 1 through 4 for severe asthma attacks. But asthma hasn’t stopped him from doing what he wants to do – play football since the age of 7. The linebacker and running back for his school’s football team, Moore-Jacobs also wrestles and runs track.

He wants his senior year to be a memorable one – not only for him – but to leave a legacy for others who suffer from asthma. For his senior project, Moore-Jacobs sponsored a ‘Tackle Asthma’ campaign, to raise asthma awareness and funds for the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. He asked his football team to sign on for the campaign by asking for pledges of .10 to .50 cents or more for every tackle that Moore-Jacobs or any chosen Cedar Cliff play made during the season. 

“Asthma is keeping me back only so far – I have to find a way to get rid of this,” said Moore-Jacobs, who has been involved with the Asthma Olympics for the past two years, helping kids learn how to manage their asthma while they play recreational sports. “I want to teach them that you can overcome your fears of asthma at an early and still have fun,” he said. “I want to give kids hope they can have a normal life.”

The ‘Tackle Asthma’ campaign was inspired by Moore-Tate’s determination to conquer asthma, said his mother, Carolyn Jacobs. “He’s never let his asthma hold him back from anything,” she said. “I never dreamed when he was diagnosed with it as a child that he would step foot on a football field or a wrestling mat. I am so proud of him and overjoyed at the way he’s been able to handle his asthma maturely and find a way to give back to others who suffer from it.”

Tate’s teammate and friend, Jake Eisenhower said “Tate is the right person for this campaign. He hasn’t let his asthma affect him at all,” said Eisenhower. “He’s an accomplished player; he’s smart and very likeable. He’s a great role model for anyone to look up to.”

After he leaves Cedar Cliff, Moore-Jacobs plans to major in civil engineering in college and he hopes to be a member of his college’s football team. But he noted, “Something tells me that nothing will compare to what I can hopefully accomplish at Cedar Cliff this year - a winning football season? Maybe.  But more importantly, a chance to tackle asthma for good.”