Wearing No. 1, Warren Moon was a six-time Pro Bowler for the Oilers in the 80s and 90s. Now, the franchise goes by a new name and Cam Ward will don No. 1.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — From one No. 1 to the next.
During his introductory news conference on Friday, Tennessee Titans top draft pick Cam Ward was surprised by another No. 1 who used to play quarterback for the franchise and even had his number retired.
Warren Moon showed up and presented Ward with a No. 1 jersey, the same number Moon wore as a member of the Houston Oilers for 10 years.
Moon left the Oilers after the 1993 season.
The Houston Oilers then moved to Tennessee to become the Tennessee Oilers in 1997. The franchise changed its name and logo to the Titans in 1999. His No. 1 was officially retired by the franchise in 2006.
Video of the “passing of the torch” was posted to social media:
Ward’s path to the NFL has been much different than Moon’s.
Moon wasn’t drafted and instead played in the Canadian Football League for several years before joining the Oilers in 1984.
Ward was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with Washington State before transferring to Miami, where he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting during his only season in South Florida.
Ward played in high school for Columbia HS in Brazoria County. He was a zero-star recruit to Incarnate Word out of high school.
The NFL Draft continues on Friday. After trading their first-round pick on Thursday, the Houston Texans are set to make two picks in the second round and three in the third round.