Warren Moon

Early Life and College Football

Harold Warren Moon was born on November 18, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, the middle child in a family with six sisters. His father, Harold, died of liver disease when Moon was seven years old, leaving his mother, Pat, a nurse, to raise the family. Moon learned to cook, sew, and perform household chores to help support his mother and sisters from a young age. He attended Alexander Hamilton High School, using the address of a family friend to access a school with a stronger academic and athletic reputation than his local institution. Moon’s football talent emerged in high school, where he became the varsity starting quarterback in his junior year. As a senior in 1973, he was named to the all-city team and led his squad to the city playoffs.

Despite his success, major college programs showed little interest, leading Moon to begin his post-secondary career at West Los Angeles College. There, he set records as a freshman quarterback in 1974, which finally attracted the attention of the University of Washington. Moon transferred to Washington, where he was determined to play quarterback, believing he lacked the size or speed for other positions. Under coach Don James, the Huskies had a modest record in his first two seasons as starter. His senior year in 1977, however, was a major success, as Moon led Washington to the Pac-8 championship and a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player, cementing his status as a top collegiate quarterback.

CFL Stardom with the Edmonton Eskimos

Despite his Rose Bowl performance, Warren Moon received little interest from NFL teams ahead of the 1978 draft. Just six weeks before the draft, he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League, beginning a six-year tenure that would redefine the franchise. Moon initially shared quarterback duties with veteran Tom Wilkinson from 1978 to 1981, a period during which the Eskimos won four consecutive Grey Cups. Moon became the full-time starter midway through the 1980 season and led Edmonton to a third straight Grey Cup, earning his first Grey Cup Offensive MVP award. The following year, he officially took over as the number one quarterback.

The 1981 Grey Cup highlighted his resilience, as he was benched early with Edmonton trailing Ottawa 20-0. Re-entering the game in the second half, Moon directed three touchdown drives and the game-winning field goal with three seconds left for a dramatic 26-23 victory. The 1982 season was a pinnacle for Moon and the Eskimos dynasty. He became the first professional quarterback to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season, finishing with exactly 5,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. Edmonton won its fifth consecutive Grey Cup, a CFL record, and Moon was named Grey Cup MVP for the second time. In his final CFL season in 1983, Moon set league records with 380 completions, 664 attempts, and 5,648 passing yards, earning the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award.

Over six seasons in the Canadian Football League, Warren Moon amassed 21,228 passing yards and threw 144 touchdown passes. He led the Edmonton Eskimos to victory in nine of their ten postseason games during his tenure. Moon's CFL legacy was formally recognized with his induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2001, and he was also added to the Eskimos' Wall of Honour. Five years later, the Canadian sports network TSN ranked him as the fifth greatest player in CFL history.

NFL Career and Record-Setting Years

Warren Moon's dominant CFL career sparked a bidding war for his NFL services, which was won in 1984 by the Houston Oilers, then coached by his former Edmonton mentor, Hugh Campbell. In his rookie NFL season, Moon set a franchise record with 3,338 passing yards, immediately establishing himself as a premier passer. His breakout period began in the late 1980s, culminating in a historic 1990 season where he was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year. In 1990, Moon led the NFL in passing yards (4,689), touchdowns (33), attempts, and completions. He tied a league record with nine 300-yard games, including a 527-yard performance against Kansas City that remains the second-most passing yards in a single game in NFL history.

He followed this in 1991 by again leading the league in passing yards with 4,690, joining an elite group of quarterbacks with consecutive 4,000-yard seasons. That year, he also set NFL records for pass attempts (655) and completions (404) in a season. Moon's tenure with the Oilers was marked by prolific regular season success, including seven playoff appearances in ten seasons. His most famous, and most painful, postseason moment came in January 1993 during the AFC Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills. Moon built a 35-3 lead for Houston, only to see the Bills engineer the largest comeback in NFL history, winning 41-38 in overtime. Despite the loss, Moon set an NFL postseason record with 36 completions in the game.

Warren Moon left the Houston Oilers after the 1993 season as the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass attempts, and pass completions. These records stood until Steve McNair broke the wins record in 2004, after the team had become the Tennessee Titans. Moon was then traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994 and passed for over 4,200 yards in each of his first two seasons there. He later signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in 1997, making the Pro Bowl and being named the Pro Bowl MVP that year. Moon finished his professional career as a backup with the Kansas City Chiefs, playing his final game in 2000 and announcing his retirement at age 44 in January 2001.

Statistical Legacy and Hall of Fame Recognition

At the time of his retirement, Warren Moon's professional passing statistics were among the most extensive ever compiled, combining his CFL and NFL totals. His final numbers included 70,553 passing yards, 435 touchdown passes, and 5,357 completions on 9,205 attempts across 23 seasons. In the NFL alone, he accumulated 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns, earning nine Pro Bowl selections. He held numerous NFL records upon retiring, including most 300-yard passing games in a season and most completions in a postseason game. Moon's pioneering status was formally recognized with his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, in his first year of eligibility. This induction was historic on multiple fronts, as Moon became the first African-American quarterback, the first undrafted quarterback, and the first member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame to be enshrined in Canton.

His number 1 jersey was retired by the Tennessee Titans, the successor franchise to the Houston Oilers, in a 2006 ceremony. In a notable recent development, Moon and the Titans organization agreed to un-retire his number 1 jersey in April 2025. This allowed Cam Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, to wear the number, a gesture that connected the franchise's past with its future. Moon's statistical records with the Oilers/Titans franchise remain extensive, as he still held at least 37 team records as of the 2019 offseason, a clear indicator of his lasting impact on that organization.

Post-Football Career and Personal Life

Following his retirement from playing, Warren Moon transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a colour commentator for the Seattle Seahawks radio network from 2004 to 2017. His work with the team earned him a Super Bowl ring when the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in the 2013 season. Moon has also been active as a mentor, notably working with Cam Newton after he was drafted first overall in 2011, sharing insights on the experience of being a prominent African-American quarterback. Moon's post-career was marred by controversy in December 2017 when he was suspended indefinitely from his broadcasting role after being sued for sexual harassment.

In his personal life, Moon was married to Felicia Hendricks from 1981 until their divorce in 2001. He was acquitted of a misdemeanour charge of spousal assault in 1996. He married Mandy Ritter in 2005, with whom he has one child, though they are currently separated. As of 2020, Moon resides in Redmond, Washington. Philanthropy has been a consistent part of Moon's life. In 1989, he founded the Crescent Moon Foundation, which provides college scholarships for economically disadvantaged students. He has also been a longtime supporter of numerous charitable organizations, including the United Negro College Fund, the Ronald McDonald House, and the American Heart Association, using his platform to contribute to various causes.

Impact and Significance in Canadian Football

Warren Moon's legacy in Canada is foundational, representing one of the most successful and consequential imports in CFL history. His decision to sign with Edmonton after being overlooked by the NFL became a defining narrative for the league, demonstrating that it could be a legitimate and competitive destination for elite talent. The five consecutive Grey Cup championships he helped deliver from 1978 to 1982 remain a league record, a dynasty that is central to the Eskimos' storied history and a benchmark for CFL excellence. Moon's on-field performance changed the quarterback position in the CFL, particularly with his record-shattering 5,648-yard season in 1983.

His success provided a powerful blueprint for other American quarterbacks considering the CFL route, proving it could be a springboard to NFL stardom and financial reward. His dual Hall of Fame status uniquely bridges the two major professional football leagues in North America, making him a permanent and celebrated figure in the Canadian sporting landscape. For Canadian fans, Moon is remembered not just for his statistical dominance but for his role in one of the league's greatest dynasties. His induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2001, just one year after his retirement, underscored the immediate and lasting respect he commanded. His story continues to resonate as an example of perseverance, skill, and the unique opportunities presented by Canadian football.

Questions about Warren Moon

Why is Warren Moon important to Canadian football?

Warren Moon is profoundly important to Canadian football for his role in leading the Edmonton Eskimos to a record five consecutive Grey Cup championships from 1978 to 1982. His exceptional performance, including two Grey Cup MVP awards and a Most Outstanding Player season in 1983, demonstrated the calibre of player the CFL could attract. His success story, going from the CFL to NFL stardom, helped raise the league's profile. Moon's induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame permanently enshrines his legacy as one of the greatest players in CFL history.

What NFL records did Warren Moon hold when he retired?

At the time of his retirement, Warren Moon held several notable NFL records. These included the record for most 300-yard passing games in a single season, which he tied with nine in 1990. He also held the record for most completions in a postseason game, with 36 in the 1993 AFC Wild Card game against Buffalo. Furthermore, Moon held numerous career records related to fumbles, a byproduct of his long tenure and high passing volume. Many of his franchise records for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, such as career passing yards and touchdowns, stood for years after he left the team.

Is Warren Moon in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Yes, Warren Moon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, in his first year of eligibility. His induction was historically significant as he became the first African-American quarterback to receive the honour. He was also the first quarterback who entered the league as an undrafted player to be enshrined in Canton. This achievement, combined with his earlier induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, makes him the only player to be a member of both the Pro Football and Canadian Football Halls of Fame.

What happened to Warren Moon's retired jersey number?

The Tennessee Titans, who originated as the Houston Oilers, retired Warren Moon's number 1 jersey in a ceremony on October 1, 2006. In a unique move nearly two decades later, on April 25, 2025, Moon and the Titans organization agreed to un-retire the number. This allowed the team's new quarterback, Cam Ward, who was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, to wear the number 1 jersey. The decision connected the franchise's celebrated past with its future prospects.

How many Grey Cups did Warren Moon win?

Warren Moon won five Grey Cup championships, all consecutively with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1978 to 1982. This remains a CFL record for the most consecutive championships by a team. Moon was instrumental in these victories, serving as the starting or co-starting quarterback. His individual performances in two of those championship games were recognized with the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player award, which he won in 1980 and again in 1982.

Where did Warren Moon play after the Houston Oilers?

After his tenure with the Houston Oilers ended following the 1993 season, Warren Moon played for three more NFL teams. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994, where he played for three seasons and passed for over 4,200 yards twice. He then signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 1997, making the Pro Bowl and earning Pro Bowl MVP honours that year. Moon concluded his playing career with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he served as a backup from 1999 to 2000, announcing his retirement in January 2001.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.