Khylan Moseley, a senior biology and chemistry major from Dallas, Texas, serves as one of Langston University’s standout middle linebackers. Off the field, he’s a dedicated student, but on game day, he’s a defensive powerhouse wearing jersey number 0.
Moseley explained how playing football gives him a sense of purpose. It’s something that makes him feel good about himself, while also allowing him to make an impact.
“Out of all the sports I tried when I was a kid, that was the one sport that was fun to me. It wasn’t just sitting around or waiting on somebody else to do something,” Moseley said.
“Like, playing football, especially as far as defense. You can go out there and make an impact yourself. You don’t have to wait for nobody else.”
Many people think offense takes the game, but defense is an essential important team and skill to have. Defense is just as impactful to the game.
“I feel like people don’t understand football in general,” said Moseley. “So, most people just see the touchdowns in the sports and stuff, but defense is something that’s essential to a championship-winning team.”
Football can be a love-hate game, physically and mentally; it can tear you down, but you have to get back up.
“When I tore my ACL, it was very detrimental, not only physically, but like mentally. I wasn’t in like, a good state of mind, but it did help me put things in a perspective and also helped me get closer to God,” Moseley said.
“Most people, they honestly don’t come back the same, but this year, I worked out real good this summer, specialized, make sure my knee was good, and I’m playing some of the best football in my life, so it’s just a testament to him.”
Focusing on getting better helped Moseley get back on the field to help his team. That mindset drives his momentum throughout the game.
“I keep on just thinking about all the times when I couldn’t, I wasn’t able to play football … It’s just honestly me telling myself that, like, I could not have this opportunity right now, so I’m going to have to make the most of it.”
Not only is the game challenging, but according to Moseley, being able to handle business off the field is key to keeping himself sane.
“Honestly, the biggest challenge, I’ll say, probably, is trying to balance everything. Football is, you know, one part of my life, but there’s other things … I am a bio major, so I love science,” Moseley said.
“Football can be kind of time-consuming, and spreading myself too thin is something that I find myself doing sometimes. So, like, recently, I’ve just been trying to cut back on different things, stuff that’s not really necessary for me to be doing and just focus on life.”
For Moseley, being a college student and getting a degree comes first. Life after school is something that Moseley looks forward to.
“I see myself either doing some type of either pharmacy or biomedical, probably getting my master’s in pharmacy, and if not that, doing some type of biomedical research.”
Bea Amukaya
Bea Amukaya is a Sophomore Broadcast Journalism major from Edmond, Oklahoma. She writes for The Gazette because she feels that it is important to educate people about their community and get the story out. She thinks the work they are doing matters because it gives people a voice. A fun fact about Bea is that she is a nail technician and has been one for 2 years now. She can be reached by email, beatrice.amukaya@langston.edu.
