Tag: Sammy Baugh

Remembering a Washington-Philadelphia game on a historic December day

Remembering Pearl Harbor and it’s connection to Washington and the NFL.

The Redskins were hosting the Eagles in a big game in Washington to close out the regular season.

Who was the quarterback for Washington that day? No, not Kirk Cousins, Mark Brunnel, Brad Johnson, or Doug Williams. Not even Joe Theismann, Billy Kilmer or Sonny Jurgensen.

You see, this was December 7, 1941, some 83 years ago, and the quarterback was Hall of Fame QB Sammy Baugh. It is what transpired on this day that we understandably recall more than an NFL football game between rivals.

The Redskins were 5-5 on the season, while the Eagles were 2-7-1. Baugh threw three touchdown passes that day, the final in the fourth quarter, giving Washington a come-from-behind 20-14 win.

However, what transcended this game was what occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Eastern time. The Japanese plotted and determined to fly eastward from Japan to Hawaii. Shortly before 8 a.m. in Hawaii, suddenly, the skies over the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor were filled with Japanese planes.

Three-hundred and fifty Japanese aircraft, in a surprise attack, bombed Pearl Harbor for 75 minutes. Twenty American Navy vessels were destroyed, eight Battleships, and more than 340 airplanes. Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the Japanese attack, and many more were wounded.

The Japanese had plotted to surprise and destroy the American Pacific Fleet, giving the Japanese time to move further into the Pacific, taking control without interference from the US Military.

There were no TV cable news networks or cell phones. Word was sent to the nation’s capital via telegraph. The news then traveled to Griffith Stadium at Georgia Ave NW and W. St. NW in Washington, DC.

If this were to occur today, fans across the stadium constantly checking their cell phones would be made aware of the news by their family and or friends. Others also using their phones would receive news updates. Word would spread rapidly throughout the stadium.

But in 1941, the fans had none of these modern conveniences. Consequently, announcements began to be made by the public address announcer during the Redskins-Eagles game.

“Admiral W.H.P. Bland is asked to report to his office at once!”

“Joseph Umglumph of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is requested to report to the FBI office at once!”

“Capt. H.X. Fenn of the United States Army is asked to report to his offices at once!”

Shirley Povich was age 36 and a sports columnist for the Washington Post. Upon the game’s conclusion, his column was entitled, “War’s Outbreak is Deep Secret to 27,102 Redskin Game Fans,” December 8, 1941.

Remember, there was no Washington Post website where you could quickly post a story. Thus, his story would be in the Monday morning paper edition.

That day, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a speech in response to the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…”

The US Congress then declared war on Japan. The US was officially entering World War II.

At once, the Redskins-Eagles game wasn’t such a big game after all.

Best NFL player to wear each jersey number: How many Washington players were picked?

Five former Washington players were named the greatest ever to wear their respective jersey number.

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When you think of the greatest players in Washington’s NFL franchise history, which dates back to 1932, which players first come to your mind?

Sammy Baugh is arguably the greatest player in franchise history. He played 16 NFL seasons, all with Washington. He was the quarterback, punter and safety, a two-time NFL champion, and won numerous individual awards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Unfortunately for Baugh, he last played in 1952, so many casual fans have never heard of Baugh. However, most know Baugh from his iconic jersey number: No. 33. For years, Baugh’s No. 33 jersey was the only one retired by Washington.

How popular was Baugh’s jersey? Check out hip-hop icon Jay-Z wearing Baugh’s No. 33 jersey back in 2001 in the music video for his hit song, “Girls, Girls, Girls.”

Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire recently named the best NFL player to wear each jersey number. Baugh won the title for No. 33.

What other Washington icons made the cut?

Of course, No. 44 belongs to John “Diesel” Riggins, the Hall of Fame running back who played nine seasons for Washington and was the MVP of Super Bowl XVII.

Former Washington running back Stephen Davis was named the best to ever wear No. 48. While the pickings were slimmer for No. 48, Davis did have a solid career, playing seven of his 11 NFL seasons with Washington.

The No. 49 pick was easy. Bobby Mitchell is one of only four Washington players to have his jersey retired by the franchise. Unfortunately, it took far too long for that to happen. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and also enjoyed a long career as a front-office executive for Washington. Mitchell is a true Washington icon.

Bruce Smith made his name with the Buffalo Bills, but he broke the NFL sack record when he was a member of the Washington franchise. He spent the final four seasons of his NFL career with Washington.

If you notice legendary Washington players, such as Darrell Green and Art Monk, missing, they made the honorable mention list for their respective jersey numbers.

The following Washington players received honorable mention for their jersey numbers:

Chris Hanburger, Green, London Fletcher, Adrian Peterson, Russ Grimm, Mark Schlereth, Trent Williams, Monk, Gary Clark, Santana Moss, Clinton Portis and Ryan Kerrigan.

Ranking the top 25 players in NFL history

Did any Washington players make the list?

With the passing of Hall-of-Fame running back Jim Brown, CBS Sports decided to compile their list of the top 25 players in NFL history.

Did any of the former Washington football greats make the all-time top 25 list?

Four former Washington players have had their jersey numbers retired but only one, Sammy Baugh, might be considered as a candidate to make the all-time top 25 list. The others with jerseys retired are Hall of Famers Sonny Jurgensen and Bobby Mitchell. Also, the soon-to-be-former Washington owner Dan Snyder determined to retire the jersey of Sean Taylor, who was tragically murdered during the fourth season of his young career.

As you might have already discerned, no Washington player was voted onto the CBS Sports All-Time Top 25 in NFL History.

Here is the list of the top 25. And if you go here to the original list, you will find a brief description that they provided of each player as to why he made their list.

One thing that remains true, there is no objective way to even construct such a list. So don’t get upset about it. Simply acknowledge it for what it is… a list that results from subjective voting.

25. Bruce Matthews, OL (1983-2001)

24. Night Train Lane, DB (1948-1961)

23. Emlem Tunnell, DB (1948-1961)

22. Don Hutson, WR (1935-1945)

21. Tony Gonzalez, TE (1997-2013)

20. Gale Sayers, RB (1965-1971)

19. Rod Woodson, DB (1987-2003)

18. Alan Page, DT (1967-1981

17. Anthony Munoz, LT (1980-1992)

16. Emmitt Smith, RB (1990-2004)

15. Randy Moss, WR (1998-2010, 2012)

14. Joe Greene, DT (1969-1981)

13. Dan Marino, QB (1983-1999)

12. Aaron Donald, DT (2014-present)

11. Johnny Unitas, QB (1956-1973)

10. Joe Montana, QB (1979-1994)

9. Ray Lewis, LB (1996-2012)

8. Barry Sanders, RB (1989-1998)

7. Reggie White, DE (1985-1998, 2000)

6. Lawrence Taylor, LB (1981-1993)

5. Peyton Manning, QB (1998-2015)

4. Walter Payton, RB (1975-1987)

3. Jim Brown, RB (1957-1965)

2. Jerry Rice, WR (1985-04)

1. Tom Brady, QB (2000-2022)

Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown to wear non-traditional number

New year, new number for Devin Brown. #GoBucks

The Ohio State football team kicked off spring practice this week. All eyes will be on the pending quarterback battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown to see who will take over for the departed C.J. Stroud. These will be big shoes to fill as Stroud set all sorts of records at OSU. And if Devin Brown were to win the job, he’ll have a big jersey to fill as well.

Brown came to practice with a different look than his No. 15 from last season. Instead, the Utah native will sport No. 33 this year. Seems like an odd choice for a quarterback. Typically, the guys under center wear single digits through the teens. However Brown wanted to honor a hero from the past… Slingin’ Sammy Baugh

Baugh wore No. 45 while in college at TCU and then switched to No. 33 in the pros with the Washington Redskins (now Commanders). Baugh was the first quarterback to make it to Canton in the Hall of Fame class of 1963.

At the end of practice, Brown shared with reporters why he decided to make the change.

“The reason behind it was Sammy Baugh. He was the first quarterback inducted into the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame in 1963 with the Washington Football Team, so he’s a legend,” said Baugh. “That’s the original quarterback number, in my opinion. I want to rock the original quarterback number.”

Brown would go on to say that he remembered his dad talking about Baugh in his youth. So he started wearing No. 33 and stuck with it even through high school.

Ryan Day has said one of his criteria for a starting quarterback is one of leadership. It certainly seems like Brown likes to think outside the box and does so with confidence. Now we just need to see if that kind of swagger can translate to on-the-field production.

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7 current and former Washington stars make Top-101 list of greatest NFL nicknames ever

Which seven former — and current — Washington stars made the top-101 nicknames?

When you think of nicknames, specifically NFL nicknames, what is the first one that comes to mind?

Names such as “Sweetness,” “Juice,” “Megatron,” and “Broadway Joe” are just some of the names that first come to mind. Hardcore NFL fans need no more information as they know who those players are just by the nickname.

Touchdown Wire recently put out a list of the top 101 nicknames in NFL history. It is a fun list. Players such as Brett Favre, Calvin Johnson, and, of course, Walter Payton are on the list. Others, such as Ickey Woods, are more popular for their name than their game.

How many former — and current — Washington stars made this unique list?

Seven current and former members of the Washington Football Team made Touchdown Wire’s list of the top nicknames.

Here are all seven of those players — and coach — with Touchdown Wire’s thoughts on each.

Slingin’ Sammy Baugh one of 10 QBs selected to NFL100 All-Time Team

Baugh was one of the greatest players that the Redskins have ever seen, and he’s being honored as part of the NFL100 All-Time Team.

For the 100th season of the National Football League, the NFL has been releasing its list of top 100 players to ever play the game, broken down by position groups.

The release has been coming steadily over the past several weeks, and the naming of the top quarterbacks of all time recently came out to top it all off before the end of 2019. One member of the Washington Redskins was featured in that final grouping of 10, and it’s very well deserved.

Slingin’ Sammy Baugh is one of the best QBs in NFL history, and he’s receiving one of his many days in the sun, more than a decade after his passing in 2008.

Baugh was a renaissance man if there ever was one in the NFL, as he not only excelled at the quarterback position, but he was also a dynamic defensive back and punter as well. In his 15+ plus years with the Redskins, Baugh was a two-time NFL champion (1937, 1942); four-time first-team All-Pro selection; led NFL in completion percentage eight times, passing yards four times, and a member of the inaugural class in Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963).

In our list of the top 100 Redskins in franchise history earlier this year, Baugh ranked as the fifth-best player Washington has ever had, and many could argue that he should be higher. Now he is getting more well-deserved recognition by the NFL itself. Congrats Sammy, we appreciate all you did for the Redskins.

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