A divided Congress can come together to save our historic stadiums

During my college and professional football careers, I felt no greater rush than competing on the same iconic fields where my childhood heroes once played.

There is an ineffable magic that is felt in historic stadiums across America, from the beautiful sunsets and pageantry of the Rose Bowl to the well-known traditions of the Cotton Bowl; from the home field advantage of Death Valley at night to the home of my alma mater in the Pacific Northwest, Husky Stadium.

I’ll never forget the chills I felt when I first ran out of the tunnel in 1978 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. We were welcomed by a sea of half-Washington’s purple, half-Michigan’s maize and blue at the “Granddaddy of Them All” — the Rose Bowl Game. It felt as if everything I had worked for had led to this moment.

Reflecting on the game decades later, it wasn’t just about football — it was a testament to the power of the entire team, everyone coming from different walks of life to work toward a common goal with a shared passion of being on the biggest stage in college football. It was an acknowledgement of the power heartbeat of the Rose Bowl Stadium and so many other legendary venues.

Back in September, I shared my stories of the gridiron at the U.S. Capitol to help advocate for the stadiums where some of the greatest moments in sports history played out across the country. I was honored to join Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) to officially launch the Historic Stadium Caucus, and I was so encouraged to see the bipartisan support in Congress for these historic venues.

A lot has changed in D.C. since I was last there just a few months ago. But in a time of chaos and division, I have hope that the Historic Stadium Caucus can act as a unifier that transcends party lines and politics. As we will see on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, these historic venues still create a multi-generational memory for millions of fans around the globe, not just for the players and coaches.

The goal of the Historic Stadium Caucus is simple — to preserve and protect some of America’s most treasured venues, while enhancing their capabilities and offerings so they can continue hosting world-class sporting events and concerts for generations to come. This is especially important given the evolution of the college football landscape. College football needs to hold on to something traditional, and the iconic venues that have been inscribed in the history books must continue to be a part of the narrative of college football.

These venues hold a value to society that is unmatched. So far, 22 stadiums have joined the caucus. I’ve had the privilege to play in five of them and have visited many more in my broadcasting career. Even though I’ve been retired for more than two decades now, I still get goosebumps every time I set foot inside one of them. They are just as much museums as they are world-class venues.

And it’s not just about sports, either. These historic stadiums are vital to the fabric of their local communities and, for many, are the heartbeat of local economies across the country. In Happy Valley, Penn State’s football visitor spending alone in 2022 provided over $87 million to the local economy. At Clemson, it’s estimated that a single football game has a minimum economic impact of $2 million. In Pasadena, where one of my crowning on-the-field moments took place, the annual Rose Bowl Game is one of the biggest economic impact events in all of Los Angeles County, the most populous county in America. That type of economic infusion cannot be underestimated or replaced, especially in smaller towns and cities that rely on these iconic stadiums as engines for growth, tourism, and prosperity.

Beyond the dollars and cents, these stadiums create lasting memories, unite diverse communities, and serve as beacons of hope and inspiration for generations. They are so much more than just grass, goalposts, and concrete. Without these stadiums, these small towns would forever be altered. Preserving their legacy is not just a matter of financial prudence; it’s a testament to Congress’ commitment to the well-being and vibrancy of our commonly shared athletic heritage.

I can’t help but draw some parallels between the teamwork it took to win on the field and the collaboration between Representatives Graves and Pocan and the other members of the caucus, coming together across party lines to shine a light on these historic stadiums.

We were heavy underdogs in the 1978 Rose Bowl. To many, we had no business competing in that game, let alone winning it. I have seen firsthand on the field how teamwork can help overcome the odds and achieve greatness. Now, bipartisan teamwork will help America’s historic stadiums. 

Hundreds of millions of Americans have experienced these special venues firsthand — places which have provided countless memories for the last century and continue to do so. I know more will be made for me when I visit Pasadena on New Year’s Day to watch the College Football Playoff Semifinal between Michigan and Alabama at the Rose Bowl.

Let’s keep advocating and fighting so that the next generations of fans can enjoy the historic stadiums just as passionately as the generations before.  

Warren Moon played professional football for 23 seasons and was MVP of the 1978 Rose Bowl Game. He is the first African American quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the only player inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.