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Legendary Oilers QB Warren Moon gifts retired No. 1 jersey to Titans' top overall pick Cam Ward

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•04/25/25•

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Titans QB Cam Ward, Warren Moon
Denny Simmons | The Tennessean | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 1 for the Tennessee Titans, albeit during a previous iteration, had been retired since 2006. With the arrival of a new quarterback in Nashville, though, it’s been brought back by one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

The Titans held their introductory press conference for QB Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as of last night, on Friday. In that first appearance in Music City this morning, Warren Moon walked in at the start and gave Ward a jersey with his name and with the No. 1 on it.

“Well, I just came here because, um, I have a lot of respect for this young man right here,” Moon said at the podium. “A lot of our journey is similar as far as all the things that he was told throughout the journey about not being good enough, nobody wanted to give him that great opportunity but he just kept fighting, he kept working, kept showing leadership, perseverance and here he is today, the number one overall pick in the National Football League Draft. So, that’s the reason why I wanted to be here just to, uh, let him know how proud I am of him.”

“As far as the number and everything’s concerned, I wore the number one for a lot of different reasons and I wore it for a long time, starting back in 1976 when I was in college. And, I think I wore it very, uh, honorably for the Houston Oilers’ organization to the point to where I, I created a Hall of Fame career for myself,” said Moon. “Now I’m part of the Tennessee Titans’ family and, my Houston Oiler jersey will probably never be worn again – I hope it won’t. But, the Tennessee Titans’ jersey is going to be worn by Cam and Cam will be starting a new, not regime here, but just a new freshness in this organization to kind of revitalize it and get it back to where it was a number of years ago, one of the more successful organizations in the league.

Moon played for the franchise when they were the Houston Oilers back through the middle of the 1980s and into the 1990s. He’d throw for 33,685 yards, 196 touchdowns, and 166 interceptions on 57.9% completion during a decade with the team. That’d make him a six-time selection as a Pro Bowler and, in 1990, he’d be Second Team All-Pro as well as AP Offensive Player of the Year. Add in stop with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Kansas City Chiefs and, after his final season in 2000, Moon was an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Moon remains the all-time leading passer in franchise history for the Titans while ranking highly on the all-time passing lists in the NFL. With that, Tennessee retired No. 1 back in 2006 as one of just eight in their history with six from the Oilers’ era and two from the Titans’.

However, coming out of college, Ward had expressed some interest in staying with No. 1 as his number, which he wore at Washington State and Miami. He just so happened to land with a team where that number was unavailable

Still, after hints at it, Moon has made it official by allowing the digit to be worn again within the franchise. Ward is now responsible for living up to it as the next quarterback in Nashville.

“I’ve been asking him, um. I called him about a month ago. And so, you know, I didn’t know this was going on but, you know, I knew this was going to happen,” said Ward. “I’m excited that, you know, Mr. Moon was able to, you know, bless me with giving me this number. But, you know, I think, to me, the number will never mean anything. It’s all about the plays you make on the field, you know, so I’m ready for this opportunity with my teammates…It’s just all about how you play on the field. The person doesn’t make the number. The player makes the number.

“I’m excited to see what he’s going to do with his legacy wearing this number,” said Moon. “Cam, I’m going to be watching your career. I’m here for you. I’m going to help you as much I can possibly do whenever you need me. And, just wish you the best of luck…I think you’ll do well here. So, congratulations on being the number one overall pick and now the work gets started.”