Warren Moon goes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio this weekend. It’s an event anticipated by many for more than just its significance about his remarkable record as a quarterback in professional football.
It’s highlighted as proof that one of the last barriers is finally tumbling down in American society, a black man, is finally to get his due recognition as a member of that All American of sporting icons, the quarterback.
Moon becomes the first black quarterback to be so enshrined in that hall of recognition in Canton. More indicative of a mind set in the USA through the sixties, seventies and eighties (and maybe even the nineties) than in any lack of capable young men who may have possibly been there before him. Surely there were many more talented young black quarterbacks who were more than up to the challenge of an NFL offence, but gave up on their dream or got sidetracked along the way. Many chose a different path, that of the league above the 49th, going on to star and change our game over the last forty to fifty years.
Moon’s journey to Canton took him from the streets of Los Angeles, to a rather uncomfortable but necessary stay at the University of Washington. Through the CFL and some spectacular successes with Edmonton and then onto the big game itself, the NFL with many stops in Houston, Minnesota, Seattle and Kansas City.
He began his travels down the quarterback trail at the U of W, a school that many had warned him, that indicative of the times, might be a tad redneck and one that should be avoided.
However, it was the only school that was willing to let him play at the position he wanted to, quarterback, so Moon became a Huskie and started that long trek to Canton. His days at the University of Washington culminated in 1978 and a Rose Bowl appearance and victory. The championship capped by his being named MVP. A pretty spectacular ending to the University game and one that should have made the scouts sit up and take notice. Turns out they didn’t.
After his University days came to a close, that age old problem came back to haunt yet another talented quarterback, the NFL apparently not quite ready to accept change, tried to change Moon from a quarterback to a positional player. That wasn’t his dream, nor his plan so other arrangements would just have to be made.
Instead, he headed north to Edmonton, the third stringer on a team featuring the amazing Tom Wilkinson and the equally competitive Bruce Lemmerman. He sat at times, he watched, he learned and he waited. For his first two years he shared the duties with the dominant Eskie QB’s, learning the intricacies of the Canadian game. His chance to run his own show would come in 1980, seizing the reins of an Eskimo squad and making the position his for the next three years.
His name became that of legend in the CFL as his Eskimos became one of the leagues enduring dynasties during his time in the Alberta capital. By the time he moved on to the NFL in 1984, Moon had five consecutive Grey Cup rings (1978-82) to his name and was able to write his own ticket into that exclusive club of NFL QB’s
Moon joined the troubled Houston Oilers and their new head coach Hugh Campbell (his former head coach in Edmonton) and immediately began to change that team’s football fortunes, his ten years in Oiler Blue brought post season games to Houston fans in all but three.
He continued his magic in Minnesota for three seasons, moving on back to the scene of college days with a two year tour with the Seahawks. He ended his career in Kansas City, where it seems a year away from the game in 1999, seemed to take its toll on his body, as he finished off his time in the NFL in 2000.
Moon was denied that one jewel of the NFL that all aspire to, that of a Super Bowl Championship (and accompanying ring), many talk of 1993 and the remarkable comeback of the Bills to deny the Oilers their shot at NFL glory. Perhaps it could be his biggest disappointment, but if so, he’s never wallowed in it, never used it as an excuse. Much like you never heard him complain about the talent he was surrounded with in some of his stops. Some of those Oilier, Viking and Seahawk teams weren’t very good, not very protective of a quarterback, nor sure of hand or fleet of foot.
Still Moon’s talent can’t be denied, check the CFL history pages or leaf through the pages of the NFL bible and you’ll find Warren Moon listed often and prominently.
Two numbers out of all of his remarkable statistics loom large for any aspiring Quarterback, they are 70,553 and 435. His combined yards from both the CFL and NFL total that 70,553, his touchdown passes from both leagues 435. They are numbers which will forever mark the true test of his talents and stand as a testimony to his impact on both leagues.
Saturday he joins Bud Grant as one of only two enshrined in the Canton Hall, that have had a similar honour bestowed upon them in Canada at our Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Moon joined the Canadian ranks in 2001, it’s nice to see the Americans catch up!
Canadians long ago realized what a competitor Moon was, how he could change a game with one pass, lead a team to victory by sheer will. Canton is lucky to have him join their hallowed halls this Saturday, much like Canada was lucky to have him prowl our fields in those amazing days of Eskimo football.
Moon by the numbers
Carrying the label of the first black QB to go to the Hall
The trail blazer
Reflections on a career
Moon looks back at his Canadian start
CFL recollections
The Class of 2006
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