Nat Moore Trophy: CBS News Miami announces four finalists for 2024
MIAMI - The nominations are in and here are the four finalists for the CBS News Miami Nat Moore Trophy for 2024.
The voting period opened on Nov. 19 and closes on Nov. 30.
Tell us who you think should take home the top prize this year. Cast your vote in the online form below.
The winner will be announced live on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. with a special airing on CBS Miami and streaming on CBSMiami.com.
Here's a look at each of the four finalists and their stats (names in alphabetical order):
Ben Hanks Jr.
- Wide Receiver at Booker T. Washington Senior High School
- 6' 1" and 170 pounds
- Stats: (Offense) 9 Rec. , 235 Yds., 3 TD (Defense) 4 Interceptions, 15 Tackles, 12 career interceptions
Ennio Yapoor
- Quarterback at Miami Norland Senior High School
- 6' 1" and 220 pounds
- Stats: 2283 YDS , 16 TD Passing, 7 TD Rushing, 107 TD passing, 40 TD rushing, 5-year starter
Ezekiel Marcelin
- Linebacker at Miami Central Senior High School
- 6' 0" and 210 pounds
- Stats: 4 sacks, 10 solo tackles, 1 interception, 15 TFL, 24 career sacks
Malachi Toney
- Wide Receiver at American Heritage High School
- 5' 10" and 190 pounds
- Stats: 54 rec., 964 yds, 12 TD, 28 career TD
Vote here
Nat Moore Trophy history: Who is Nat Moore?
He is a Florida native, born in Tallahassee but grew up in Miami, where he attended Miami Edison Senior High and Miami-Dade Community College.
At the University of Florida, Moore was a star running back and later inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1978.
He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1974 and was a star wide receiver for thirteen seasons from 1974 to 1986.
Over his 13-year playing career, Moore recorded 510 receptions for 7546 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns and ranks in the top three in Dolphins history in each of those three categories.
Moore is best known for his famous "Helicopter Catch" which sent his body spinning into the air when he was hit simultaneously from opposite directions by two New York Jets defenders in 1984.
Moore retired in 1986 as an all-time Dolphin great.
He is currently the team's senior vice president of special projects and alumni relations.
His post retirement career is filled with humanitarian work and philanthropy.
In 1984, the NFL voted Moore as "Man of the Year" for outstanding service to his community and he received the Byron White Humanitarian Award in 1986.
In 1998, he created the Nat Moore Foundation, which works with disadvantaged kids in Miami-Dade County in efforts to make sure they receive the best education possible.
