AUBURN, Ala. – James Owens Moss was part of the Auburn Family long before he stepped foot on Auburn's campus. His grandfather, James Owens, was the first African American scholarship football player at Auburn in 1969, and it was Owens who who first acquainted his grandson with Auburn.
He brought Moss to games when he was younger and introduced the young man to many of his grandfather's former teammates, including those on the 1972 Amazins team.
"Everything I knew about Auburn was from him introducing me," Moss said.
Years later, Moss continues to honor his grandfather's legacy.
A former walk-on, Moss earned his first start last year as a redshirt junior wide receiver against Texas A&M – a game in which Auburn won, 28-20. Prior to the season, he was awarded a scholarship for his hard work and reliability. It was a monumental moment for the Auburn legacy.
Moss grew up down the road in Opelika and was a multi-sport athlete at Opelika High School. He was obviously familiar with Auburn because of his grandfather, but football wasn't the only aspect that drew him to the university. There was a culture at Auburn that felt different than when he visited other universities.
"It's a real family environment," Moss said.
However, football provided a unique experience and created a unity that Moss and his fellow teammates share together as a team. Not everybody has that opportunity in college.
Now a senior, Moss plans to relish in what will be his final season at Auburn with those teammates.
"Savor each moment on the field and with your teammates," Moss said. "People would always tell me that growing up, but you really don't believe it until you go through it."
Moss has learned plenty of lessons throughout his college career, but there's a quote that reads, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result," and those simple words have taught him how important it is to change up his pattern, whether in life or football, when something isn't working.
"If you keep doing the same thing, you won't learn how to make changes to do better," he said.
That pattern changed drastically this spring because of COVID-19, but Moss has tried to look it as a positive. He was able to spend time away from football with his family, time that he would not have had otherwise.
Moss, who is majoring in business management, plans to graduate in December from the Harbert College of Business. He hopes to own his own business after his football career ends.
One thing he wouldn't change from his time on the Plains is the Auburn Family.
"Outside of football, the connections I've made through just being an Auburn student will help me after I graduate." Moss said. "And most importantly, the people I have met, the friendships I have made -- they will last a lifetime. Whenever I hear 'War Eagle,' I know it means family."