In the sun-soaked heart of Tampa Bay, Jade Moore laces up her boots for the last time. The stadium hums with anticipation, but for Moore, this moment means more than just a shot at the USL Super League Championship—it’s the closing chapter of a story that, had fate taken a darker turn, might have ended long before she ever stepped on American soil. For Jade Moore, football didn’t just shape her life—it saved it.
The Midfield Warrior with a Story to Tell
“Now, to be here at this stage, it feels like it is written in the stars for me,” Moore said. At 34 years old, with grit in her voice and history etched in every scar, she’s not just playing for a trophy—she’s playing with purpose, with passion, and with the kind of heart that transcends sport.
For Tampa Bay Sun, she’s a one-season wonder. A midfielder brought in for more than her skills—she brought fire, leadership, and heart. “She is my kind of player,” said head coach Denise Schlite-Brown, eyes glinting. “She isn’t just going to do the task, she is going to do it with her whole heart and whole being.”
A Silent Killer Discovered
At just 16, Moore wasn’t supposed to be a miracle. She was just a teenager joining a player development program in England, prepping for Loughborough University, when a routine heart screening turned her life upside down.
“They were like, ‘Hmm, we picked up a bit of an abnormality,'” Moore recalled.
They discovered two holes in her heart, a diagnosis that would’ve gone unnoticed without the sport that demanded the physical. She was just 0.1 millimeter away from open-heart surgery—the kind of surgery that could have ended her football career forever.
And with that discovery, football became her savior.
Fighting Back from the Brink
Just before turning 17, Moore underwent life-saving heart surgery. A 15-millimeter device patched up the holes, and in mere weeks, she was back on the field.
“Touch wood, everything has been fine since,” she said with a chuckle. But the weight of what could’ve been never really left her. Doctors warned that by age 40, an undetected issue like hers could have led to a collapse on the pitch.
Moore doesn’t mince words: “Football saved my life.“
From Survivor to Global Star
Moore didn’t just survive—she thrived. She went on to represent England in the 2019 World Cup, helping her team reach the semifinals.
Off the pitch, she became a certified sports trainer and ambassador for Cardiac Risk of the Young in the UK. She wears a “survivor” sticker at charity matches, though she admits she never thought of herself that way—until she met families who weren’t so lucky.
“You go to those charity events and see how many of these families’ lives are destroyed because of an undiagnosed heart condition,” she said. “At that point, you are like, well, use your platform to help and effect the future basically.”
Leading with Heart, Literally
Moore’s impact is undeniable. She’s become the heartbeat of the Sun midfield, both tactically and emotionally. “She is our greatest warrior,” said Schlite-Brown. “Her and Jordan are in the middle of the pitch doing what needs to be done.”
“She leads with it,” Schlite-Brown said, referring to her heart. “It’s on her sleeve. She’s willing to do anything for pretty much anyone on this team.”
One Last Game Under the Lights
As the USL Super League Championship approaches, Moore is all-in. She’s treating it like any other game—but with the intensity of someone who knows it will be her last.
“I want the best for everyone,” she said. “I play in the center of the park. Usually, those players are the heartbeat of the team. The writing is on the wall. Just have to go out and do the job.”
Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., Riverfront Stadium becomes the backdrop for her final performance, where the Tampa Bay Sun will face Fort Lauderdale United FC. Tickets, updates, and official merch can be found on the Tampa Bay Sun Official Website, and fans can follow the buildup live via their Instagram and Twitter.
A Future Beyond the Final Whistle
What’s next for Moore? She doesn’t know yet—and she’s okay with that.
“Hopefully, I will fill that up with the memories and experiences it has given me,” she said, speaking of the metaphorical hole the sport will leave behind.
But whatever comes next, she carries something stronger than silverware. She carries a story—a survivor’s story—one that proves sometimes, the most powerful part of a player isn’t their footwork, but their heartbeat, their courage, and their will to fight.
Fox13 initially published the story.
The Final Whistle Is Just the Beginning…
But if you think this is the end of Jade Moore’s story, think again. Because some legends don’t fade away—they ignite new fires. Want to know what she does next? Stay with us.
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