Warren Moon returns to spotlight in new NFL documentary
Oct 2, 2014, 2:59 PM | Updated: 6:42 pm
Pro Foootball Hall of Famer Warren Moon is profiled in a new NFL Films documentary premiering this week. (AP file)
(AP file)
Former University of Washington and Seahawks great Warren Moon returns to the spotlight this week when NFL Films debuts a documentary chronicling the Hall of Famer’s unprecedented life and career.
It’s considered a high honor to be profiled on the Emmy-nominated series, and Moon is certainly most deserving. But he tells KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson he wasn’t sure he wanted to do it, especially because of the impact on friends, family and others.
“They would have to take time out of their schedules to do the interviews and you never know, you might take three or four hours out of your day and then all of a sudden you don’t even make it into the film because they can’t use everything they shoot,” Moon says.
Ultimately, he decided it was worthwhile.
It’s an exhaustive look at his life, from his formative years growing up in Los Angeles to his illustrious college career at the University of Washington followed by a record setting run in the Canadian Football League and his subsequent record-setting run in the NFL.
“They’ve probably talked to some 25-30 people in my life throughout the different stages and I’ll be interested to see how it all works out,” he says.
The film explores the racism that pervaded football at the time, as Moon fought to prove a black quarterback could succeed on football’s biggest stage. And he tells Dori that while frustrating, he’s not bitter about how long it took to accomplish his dream of playing in the NFL.
“I really feel good about the things I was able to accomplish. If I had to do the journey again I wouldn’t change it,” he says.
“Warren Moon’s long road to the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame included stops at different schools and in different countries,” NFL Films producer Ryan Kelly told Seahawks.com. “He faced bigotry from without and disquiet from within; and along the way he became a stereotype-shattering superstar who helped open the door for other African-American quarterbacks.
“This is a story that fans should know and appreciate, and we’re honored to help tell it.”
The film premiers at 6 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 3 on NFL Network. You can watch a preview here.
