Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 9 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 9?
In May 2002, Steve Spurrier was conducting one of those offseason minicamps in his first year as head coach of the Redskins.
Quarterback Shane Matthews was wearing a No. 9 jersey in the workout. After all, he had worn No.9 in his four seasons with the Chicago Bears and also during his days as a Florida Gator. The ole ball coach of those Gator teams was also Steve Spurrier.
Not one person in the organization knew to tell Spurrier and Matthews that No. 9 was off-limits? Apparently not. But once the media and fans saw the video, it was news. After the outrage, owner Daniel Snyder stepped up and objected. No. 9 was not going to be available.
Of course, No. 9 was not available! Are you kidding me?!!
March 31, 1964, the Redskins sent starting quarterback Norm Snead and Claude Crabb to division rival Philadelphia for Sonny Jurgensen and Jimmy Carr.
How did Sonny perform once becoming a Redskins quarterback?
He was a Pro Bowler for four seasons (1964, 1966, 1967, 1969). Jurgensen was also All-Pro 2nd Team twice (1967, 1969). The former Duke Blue Devil led the NFL in pass completions in three seasons (1966, 1967, 1969).
Happy 88th Birthday to Christian Adolph "Sonny" Jurgensen III.
The smoothest passer in #Redskins history – maybe in league history.
What a gem. pic.twitter.com/LBYwqkawZc
— TheHogsdotNetv2 (@TheHogsdotNetv2) August 23, 2022
How about passing yards? Jurgensen led the NFL in passing yards three seasons (1966, 1967, 1969).
Happy birthday to the great Sonny Jurgensen! #Redskins pic.twitter.com/aHF58Y57gQ
— Four Verts 🏈 (@FourVerticals_) August 23, 2019
How about a 99-yard touchdown pass? Jurgensen did that as well in the 1968 season opener at Chicago when he connected with Gerry Allen deep down the left sideline.
Team records? Well, Sonny never played a 16 or 17 game season schedule. But even in only 14 games, and with those rules Sonny passed for 31 touchdowns in 1967 and would you believe no Washington quarterback has done that since?
Also in that season, Jurgensen led the NFL in passing yards per game, passer rating, adjusted yards per pass attempt, and 4th Quarter comebacks.
Sonny’s last season that he was healthy the entire season (1970), he led the NFL in passing completion percentage.
Congrats to Sonny Jurgensen on the #Commanders deciding to retire his No. 9. Best pure passer in franchise history. And when you combine that with his legendary work on Redskins radio broadcasts, he is perhaps the greatest icon in team history. pic.twitter.com/oVAVnWCsSS
— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) August 23, 2022
Jurgensen’s last four seasons, he fought injuries, and head coach George Allen not wanting to play him. Yet his record in games he started was 11-2. He retired following the 1974 season.
At Sonny’s retirement press conference, Allen declared the Redskins would retire Sonny’s No. 9. Allen was the coach and general manager for three more seasons (1975-77), but he did not follow through on that promise.
Jurgensen worked with CBS as a commentator for NFL games before becoming a part of the Redskins Radio Broadcast team in 1981 with Frank Herzog and former teammate Sam Huff. Sonny continued in that role through the 2018 NFL season.
The greatest radio broadcast team ever. (Sam, Sonny and Frank)
@WashingtonNFL pic.twitter.com/4v2OhDrhkJ
— BMP is on 🎯 (@BigManPauly) November 13, 2021
Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 1983, along with former teammate Bobby Mitchell.
Sonny was voted one of the 70 best Redskins in 2002 and is also a member of Washington’s Ring of Fame.
Finally, over 40 NFL seasons after George Allen’s promise, the franchise finally retired Sonny’s No. 9 during the 2022 season finale at FedEx Field.