Warren Moon Considering Allowing Cam Ward to Wear Retired No. 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon says he is considering whether to allow Cam Ward to wear his retired No. 1 jersey if the Tennessee Titans select him with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Moon, a nine-time Pro Bowler, stated, “I’m thinking about it,” while emphasizing that he needs more time to come to a decision. The Titans retired the No. 1 jersey in honor of Moon, who is considered a franchise legend.

Ward has worn the No. 1 jersey during his college career at Washington State and the University of Miami, where he excelled as a player, leading the FBS with 39 passing touchdowns in 2024. He expressed hope to continue wearing No. 1 in the NFL, stating, “It just depends on what team I go to, what number they got. So we’re hoping to stay with one. If not, I’ll just switch my number.”

Before choosing No. 1, Ward wore No. 7 at Columbia High School in Texas and at Incarnate Word, but that number was not available at Washington State due to its retirement in honor of Mel Hein.

Unretiring jersey numbers is not an uncommon practice in the NFL. Recent examples include the New York Giants, who reissued No. 1 to Malik Nabers last year after receiving permission from the family of Hall of Famer Ray Flaherty. In another instance, Peyton Manning wore the retired No. 18 jersey with the Denver Broncos after Frank Tripucka granted permission.

Moon holds franchise records for passing yards (33,685), touchdown passes (196), and game appearances (141) during his tenure with the Houston Oilers, which lasted from 1984 to 1993 before the team rebranded as the Titans in 1999.

If Moon decides against allowing Ward to wear No. 1, Ward may opt for No. 7, which is currently not assigned to any player on the Titans roster.