NFL Legend Warren Moon On The Importance Of Patience And Hard Work

By David Jordan Jr

Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon’s journey exemplifies perseverance and resilience. His career as a quarterback in both the National Football League and the Canadian Football League personifies trusting the process and putting in the work to achieve goals. As a college player, Moon’s dedication to hard work would see him lead the University of Washington Huskies to the Pac-8 Championship and a victory in the 1978 Rose Bowl, with him winning MVP of the game.

Despite a legendary college career, Moon would go undrafted in the 1978 NFL Draft and begin his career north of the border in Canada with the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos. From 1978 to 1983 Moon led the Eskimos to five Grey Cup championships, and was named Grey Cup MVP twice in 1980 and 1982 and he was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the CFL in 1983.

In 1984, he made his NFL debut with the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) and finished his first year with a single-season passing record of 3,338 yards. Before retiring from the NFL in 2000, Moon left an undeniable mark on the game and the quarterback position. His records and accolades earned could be read from a scroll; Moon’s most notable achievements include:

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1990)
NFL Man of the Year (1989)
Second-team All-Pro (1990)
9× Pro Bowl (1988–1995, 1997)
2× NFL passing yards leader (1990, 1991)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1990)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (1984)
Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor
Tennessee Titans No. 1 retired

Moon’s legacy was sealed with inductions into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. To date, Moon is the first and only Black Quarterback to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He spoke to ESHE about the importance of patience and hard work in pursuing greatness.