Today in black history: First black quarterback inducted into NFL Hall of Fame

On Feb. 4, 2006, Harold Warren Moon became the first black quarterback to be inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame. He first played for the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos before playing for the NFL’s Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Kansas City Chiefs.

He was born in 1956 in Los Angeles, California. He held the record for most passing yardage in professional football until surpassed by Damon Allen on Sept. 4, 2006; held the record for most passing touchdowns until surpassed by Brett Favre on Nov. 22, 2007; held the record for most pass completions until surpassed by Favre on Dec. 23 that same year; and held the record for most pass attempts until surpassed by Favre on Dec. 14, 2008.

He won five Grey Cups, and is notable for helping to erase the prejudice within the world of sports that black quarterbacks could not succeed in professional football.

He currently works as a broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks on radio and television.

Photo: Warren Moon. Wikipedia (CC)


CONTRIBUTOR

Special to People’s World
Special to People’s World

People’s World is a voice for progressive change and socialism in the United States. It provides news and analysis of, by, and for the labor and democratic movements to our readers across the country and around the world. People’s World traces its lineage to the Daily Worker newspaper, founded by communists, socialists, union members, and other activists in Chicago in 1924.

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