Warren Moon

Warren Moon, born on November 18, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, emerged as a prominent figure in professional football despite facing significant challenges in his early life. The middle child in a family of six sisters, he lost his father at a young age and took on household responsibilities to support his mother, Pat, a nurse. Choosing to focus on football in high school, Moon made a name for himself at Alexander Hamilton High School, becoming the starting quarterback in his junior year and earning all-city honors during his senior season in 1973.

Moon continued his football journey at West Los Angeles College, where he broke several records as a freshman in 1974. He transferred to the University of Washington, where his impressive skills caught the attention of offensive coordinator Dick Scesniak. As a senior in 1977, he led the Huskies to a Pac-8 championship and a memorable Rose Bowl victory over Michigan, capturing the MVP title with his dynamic plays.

Despite his collegiate achievements, Moon went undrafted in the NFL and joined the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1978. Over six seasons, he won five Grey Cups—a record that remains unbroken—and became the first quarterback to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season.

In 1984, Moon signed with the Houston Oilers, where he solidified his status as an NFL star. His exceptional 1990 season included leading the league with 4,689 passing yards and earning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. Notably, he set an NFL postseason record with 36 completions in a playoff game.

Retiring in 2001 with 49,325 passing yards and 291 touchdowns, Moon was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. His legacy was honored with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, making him the first African-American and undrafted quarterback to achieve this honor, and he remains a celebrated