By Darin 
Warren Moon shattered expectations by becoming a dominant quarterback in both the CFL, where he won five straight Grey Cups, and the NFL, where he amassed nearly 50,000 career passing yards and earned a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He was a Rose Bowl MVP, but “experts” said he was too small and lacked a strong enough arm for the NFL; Warren knew better, and he would prove it. Born in Los Angeles, California, on November 18, 1956, Warren Moon defied every barrier placed in his path to become one of the most respected and prolific passers in professional football history. After being told by NFL scouts he would need to change positions coming out of the University of Washington—where he had just led his team to a 1978 Rose Bowl victory and MVP honors—Moon made the audacious decision to take his talents to the Canadian Football League. There, with the Edmonton Eskimos, he forged a dynasty, winning five consecutive Grey Cup championships. His undisputed success in the CFL forced the NFL to take notice, leading to a long and celebrated career that culminated in his rightful induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Legend of Moon
November 18, 1956 – Los Angeles, California – Warren Moon, the outstanding long tenured quarterback, was born. When you play quarterback at the professional level for 22 seasons, you know you have to be something special. Warren Moon did it in multiple leagues!
As the offensive leader of the University of Washington Huskies, Moon was named Most Valuable Player in the 1978 Rose Bowl after his team recorded a victory over the Wolverines of Michigan 27-20. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s bio, Warren Moon had NFL scouts confused when he came out of the University of Washington.
NFL teams told Warren he would need to play a position other than quarterback to be drafted. Having faith in his abilities as a signal caller, Warren made a bold choice and opted to play the position he loved in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. All he did was win 5 straight CFL Grey Cup Championships with the Eskimos franchise.
The CFLHOF.ca website states that Warren ended his CFL career in 1983 as the League’s leading passer with 380 completions of 664 attempts for 5,648 yards and 31 touchdowns. The Canadian Football League placed Moon into its Hall of Fame in 2001. Before the 1984 season, Moon took his north of the border experience and signed on with the Houston Oilers, and in his first season in light blue, he set a club record with 3338 yards passing.
Moon helped the Oilers deploy the Run and Shoot offense, which gave NFL defensive coordinators many sleepless nights. Warren was a big hit as an NFL quarterback, just like he had envisioned himself doing. In fact, he stuck with the League that once told him not to play QB for 17 seasons, tossing for just shy of 50,000 career yards playing not only for the Oilers but the KC Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted Warren Moon into their hallowed halls in 2006.
Conclusion
Warren Moon’s 22-season professional career, split between the CFL and NFL, is a powerful narrative of perseverance and skill. He turned an initial NFL rejection into an opportunity, achieving unparalleled success and a CFL Hall of Fame induction with the Edmonton Eskimos. Upon his eventual return to the NFL, he became the architect of the high-powered Run and Shoot offense for the Houston Oilers, proving his doubters decisively wrong. Playing until the age of 44, Moon amassed 49,325 career passing yards and earned nine Pro Bowl selections in the NFL alone, solidifying his legacy as a true ironman, a trailblazer, and one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
College Career (University of Washington Huskies)
- Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player (1978): Led the Huskies to a 27-20 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.
Professional Career (CFL & NFL)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2006).
- Canadian Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2001).
- 5x Grey Cup Champion (1978–1982): Won five consecutive championships with the Edmonton Eskimos.
- CFL Statistical Accomplishments (Edmonton Eskimos):
- Set a league record in 1983 with 5,648 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
- CFL’s leading passer upon leaving the league (380 completions on 664 attempts).
- 9x NFL Pro Bowl Selection: Chosen nine times during his NFL career (1988–1990, 1992–1994, 1997, 1999–2000).
- NFL Production:
- Amassed 49,325 career passing yards in the NFL.
- Played for the Houston Oilers (1984–1993), Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996), Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998), and Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000).
- Set a club record in his first season with the Oilers (1984) with 3,338 yards passing.
- Professional Longevity: Played 22 seasons professionally (6 seasons in CFL, 17 seasons in NFL).