Tag: DB Ken Stone (1973-75)

Thanksgiving Day, 50 years ago: A bad day for Washington

This was not a Happy Thanksgiving memory for Washington fans.

It was Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1974, Washington at Dallas.

The NFL had 26 teams in those days, and get this: only the top four in each conference qualified for the playoffs. Washington was coached by George Allen (Bruce’s father), and he led the Redskins to a winning record in all seven of his seasons (1971-77) in Washington.

The Redskins under Allen to this point had been 9-4-1 (1971), 11-3 (1972), 10-4 (1973), and were now 8-3 in this 1974 season. Dallas won the NFC in 1970 and 1971, losing the Super Bowl and then winning. Washington had won the NFC in 1972, losing to the Miami Dolphins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII.

Just two weeks earlier, Washington had raced out to a 28-0 first-half lead, but it had to hold on to defeat Dallas 28-21 at RFK Stadium. Now, on this Thanksgiving Day, 1974, the two teams would meet at Texas Stadium in Irving.

Redskins DT Diron Talbert, in those days, liked to talk trash, attempting to distract Cowboys QB Roger Staubach. He spoke of how the Redskins were going to knock Staubach out of the game. From the start, the Redskins defense harassed, chased, and hit Staubach.

Washington led 16-3 in the third quarter when Staubach was hit hard again, this time knocked out of the game. Enter Cowboys’ rookie QB Clint Longley. Longley would only last to play in three NFL seasons (1974-76). However, on this day, he didn’t know the pressure and expectations that would follow. He simply threw the ball carefree and made Cowboys history.

Longley quickly hit Billy Joe Dupree on a 35-yard touchdown down the middle of the field, narrowing the Redskins’ lead to 16-10. When RB Walt Garrison scored from one yard, Dallas led 17-16.

The Redskins woke up to reality, and Duane Thomas ran to his left for a 19-yard touchdown, regaining the lead at 23-17.

Dallas had one last chance. With 28 seconds remaining, Longley dropped back and heaved the ball downfield, where Drew Pearson caught the game-winning 50-yard touchdown for the 24-23 Cowboys win.

Washington defensive back Ken Stone seemed absolutely lost on the play. He was picking up Pearson in coverage, but he wasn’t. Then, he saw Pearson run by him, and it was too late. Stone’s amazingly inept play made a hero out of Longley.

Redskins fans old enough to remember ( I was age 11) will never forget. They can never forget such a poor defensive performance in the second half against an NFL rookie who appeared in only nine games, starting only two.

Longley proved not to be a very good NFL quarterback, but on this one day, his special day, he brought the Redskins one of their worst, unexpected, inexcusable losses in franchise history.

It was not a Happy Thanksgiving for Redskins fans 50 years ago today.

Commanders season opener in 20 days: Washington’s best No. 20

20 Joe Lavender days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 20 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 20?

Two players will get a special mention, while one player stands far and away as the best in franchise history to wear No. 20.

Gerry Allen (1967-69) was a running back who did not have a stellar career. But he is known for one huge play in Washington NFL history. In week 1 of the 1968 season, Washington traveled to Chicago to face the Bears. Backed up on their one 1-yard line, Sonny Jurgensen dropped back into the end zone, looked downfield toward the left sideline, and found Allen in stride for a 99-yard touchdown.

Ken Stone (1973-75) was drafted by Washington 245 overall in the 1973 draft. Stone played mostly free safety. Unfortunately for Stone, his most agonizing memory in the NFL occurred while a Redskin. It was Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974. The Washington defense battered Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach on several plays, the last resulting in Staubach being knocked out of the game. Rookie Clint Longley entered with Washington leading 16-3 and threw a touchdown pass to Billy Joe Dupree, making it 16-10. Then with Washington leading 23-17, Stone appeared confused in coverage, and Drew Pearson ran right by him; Longley saw him and hit Pearson for the game-winning 50-yard pass. Stone actually had five interceptions that 1974 season for Washington, but unfortunately is most remembered for this historic moment.

Joe Lavender (1976-82) came to Washington in a trade where the Eagles received a No. 6 pick in 1977, a No. 5 in 1978 and a No. 4 in 1979 for Lavender. George Allen had made the trade, and when Bobby Beathard became Washington GM in 1978, knowing Lavender had already been a starter in 1976 and 1977 said, “I think the trade for Lavender was a real good deal.”

Here is why: Lavender intercepted 8 passes in 1976 and four more in 1977. In his seven Washington seasons, the former San Diego State corner played in 99 games, starting 91. He intercepted 29 passes, returning 1 for a touchdown, and also recovered four fumbles.

Lavender was a Pro Bowler in both the 1979 and 1980 seasons. His greatest game came in 1980 when Lavender intercepted San Diego Chargers QB Dan Fouts three times, returning the first for a 51-yard touchdown.

In Joe Gibbs’s first season (1981), Lavender started all 16 games at age 32, intercepting four passes. In his final season of 1982, Lavender was a nickel back as the Redskins won the NFC and Super Bowl XVII over Miami.