Warren Moon may say the right thing, but the Titans should keep jersey No. 1 retired after drafting Cam Ward
The Titans should not let Cam Ward wear Warren Moon’s No. 1 jersey.
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans have already made their decision with the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
When the draft opens on Thursday evening and the Titans are officially on the clock, we have every indication that Miami quarterback Cam Ward is going to be the pick. But once that is done, Ward will have a decision of his own to make.
"What jersey number are you planning to wear?" will certainly be a questioned asked of Ward ruing his media availability after the pick is official. I'm curious what his answer will be.
During his time at Miami and Washington State, Ward wore No. 1. In his recent viral Fortnite stream, Ward teased the idea of wearing the same jersey number for the Titans. There's just one problem with that….It's retired for legendary QB Warren Moon. Hence the decision at hand.
Ward could simply pick a different number, like No. 7, which he wore at Incarnate Word. No. 4 is available. No. 5 is available. No. 17 is available, which could be a clever way to combine his two college numbers (1, 7). There's also a chance that Ward take the more controversial route and asks Warren Moon for his permission to wear No. 1.
According to PaulKuharsky.com, Moon would consider letting Ward wear the number if he asks. “I’m thinking about it,” Moon told Kuharsky.
Ward has indicated he would be willing to change his number if the team that drafts him does not have it available. As it should be, if you ask me.
No. 1 should remain retired
Jersey numbers get retired for a reason. It's an honor, bestowed upon a player by the team, to remember their legacy in that uniform. Often times, as is the case with Moon, the jersey number is synonymous with a particular player in a particular city.
You don't see Patriots players running around in No. 12 jersey. You don't see Packers players suiting up No. 4.
Warren Moon is the greatest quarterback, and arguably the greatest player, in the history of the Titans/Oilers franchise. Cam Ward might turn out to be a special player, but he should still do it while finding his own identity in Nashville.
If Amy Adams Strunk and the Titans are going to claim Oilers history as Titans history, which they have every right to fo, it should be honored all the same.
If Ward wears No. 1 and he's great, the number will quickly represent him more than it represents Moon in the minds of football fans. If he wear No. 1 and he's a bust, it will forever taint a number that should bring about nothing but positive memories of Moon's career.
It will also set an ugly precedent for the future. There's no good that can come from it.
QB Cam Ward teases future Titans jersey number, but it’s not the one he’s actually going to wear in the NFL
Cam Ward teases his Titans jersey number.
