Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 41 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 41?
Mike Bass (1969-75) was a Michigan Wolverine who was drafted 314 overall by Vince Lombardi and the Packers in the 1967 NFL draft. But Bass was traded before the regular season to the Lions.
Playing for the Lions his rookie season, he was released and remembered by Lombardi, who brought the free agent Bass to Washington in 1969. Bass who had only played in two games for the Lions (starting neither), was an instant starter for Lombardi’s Redskins.
Bass was an iron man for Washington, starting all 14 games all seven seasons in Washington at cornerback. Mike has the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in Washington’s five Super Bowl games. In the final quarter of Super Bowl VII, Miami attempted a field goal when Washington’s Bill Brundige blocked the kick. When kicker Garo Yepremian bobbled the ball, it was Bass who caught the “fumble,” returning it 49 yards for a touchdown.
Concluding his seven Washington seasons, Bass had started all 98 games he could have played, intercepted 30 passes, returned three for touchdowns and recovered six fumbles.
Joining us is Mike Bass #Redskins #NFL https://t.co/34T6e0PDMM pic.twitter.com/O9v05c6WIV
— TNTRadio (@TNTPodcast) July 1, 2016
In the 1971 season, Bass intercepted eight passes in the 14 games and was “not” chosen for the Pro Bowl. He was a solid starter at right cornerback for the playoff teams of 1971-74 and was voted All-Pro second team in 1974.
Being named one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002, Bass was then named to the franchise’s Ring of Honor in 2022.
Check out this highlight package of Mike Bass
How good were those Redskins defenses in the early 1970s? All four defensive back starters from 1973-75 were voted as the 70 Greatest Redskins. They were Pat Fischer (1968-77) and Bass (1969-75) at cornerback, and Ken Houston (1973-80) and Brig Owens (1966-77) at safety.