Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II is set to be honored for more than what he did on the field.
The Indiana Black Expo will present Moore with the Major Taylor Award at the Circle City Classic Coaches Luncheon on Friday, recognizing both his sports career and the work he has done in the community. The award is named for the first Black world champion in cycling and has gone to athletes who pair excellence in competition with meaningful impact away from it.
Moore’s community work includes a 2024 partnership with Cardinal Ritter through his Love One Foundation to launch the Rise and Shine Initiative, a program focused on preparing students for life after the classroom. He teaches once a week.
The honor places Moore alongside some heavyweight names. Previous Major Taylor Award recipients include Muhammad Ali, former Colts coach Tony Dungy, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings, former Indiana Pacers forward Metta Sandiford Artest and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice.
“Being at the table with those stars, I think what matters, especially in this space, is more so what they represent for people,” Moore told IndyStar. “When you say what Muhammad Ali represented for people, he represented generations.
If you look through his athletic career, he meant something to civil rights and the up-and-coming of Black athletes. Being at the table with people who represent much more than the sport that they are representing, that’s powerful.”
Moore also spoke about what the recognition means after spending nearly a decade in Indianapolis. He went undrafted in the 2017 draft, signed with the Colts and played nine seasons with the franchise before requesting a release in May.
“For me to be able to accept this award means a lot because this is a city that I've been devoted to, and I've committed so much time and effort to for a decade now,” Moore said. “And this award doesn't have anything to do with who I was as a footballer, but it was more so people recognizing, ‘We see you, we appreciate you, and keep going,’ … that goes a long way. And I think this is just another reminder to keep doing what I'm doing.”
The Circle City Classic will also pack Lucas Oil Stadium and downtown Indianapolis with a full slate of events. On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, the day includes girls flag football matchups between Crispus Attucks and Arsenal Tech from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., and Lawrence North and Ben Davis High from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The high school football showcase follows, with Warren Central vs. Pike set for pre-game ceremonies at 1:45 p.m. and kickoff at 2 p.m., then Lawrence North vs.
Ben Davis with pre-game ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m. All of the games will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The “Reimagined” Fall Festival begins Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, with Circle City Classic Talent Day at Lucas Oil Stadium’s East Lounge from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the Circle City Classic Pep Rally from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and DJ G INDY FUNKFEST at Clowes Hall at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule also includes the Circle City Classic Parade downtown at 10 a.m., Education Day & College Fair at Lucas Oil Stadium’s East Lounge from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Black Business Training Institute Networking Forum at Caesar Sports Book Lounge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Circle City Classic Tailgate and Fan Festival on Lucas Oil Stadium’s South Street from noon to 10 p.m.
Tickets are available at Circlecityclassic.com, with general admission starting at $27.75. One ticket gets fans into all of Saturday’s events at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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