How Sonny Jurgensen Became A Redskin
April 27th, 2009 | Published in How They Became Redskins
Since I have been collecting Redskins football cards, I have noticed how many Washington Redskins stars were somehow acquired during the mid 1960’s through the early 1970’s. This is the first entry in series called “How They Became Redskins”.
Recently, the Redskins have been doing anything possible to obtain a replacement for Jason Campbell. Before they chased Mark Sanchez, the Redskins threw everything they had to try to acquire Jay Cutler. During the chase, the press frequently made mention of the fact that “franchise” quarterbacks in their prime were never put on the trading block.
While I agree that it is rare, it led me to the question, “How did Sonny Jurgensen Become a Redskin?”
Sonny was drafted in the 4th round of the 1957 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. They developed him for several years and Jurgensen took over full-time in 1961. Jurgensen promptly set an NFL record by passing for 3,723 yards. Naturally, he was named All-Pro. In 1963, Jurgensen had an injury filled season and after the 1963 season the Eagles hired a new coach.
As Jurgensen told Casey Husband in an interview for the Redskins web site:
“I was shocked in a way,” he said. “I had just met with the new coach of the Eagles who had come in with the new owner. I met with him, sat in his office for a few hours talked about what we were going to do, what offense we were going to have and how we were going to win again.
“I left, went to lunch, met some friends of mine. Then someone came in and said you were traded to the Redskins. I said ‘No, it’s April Fool’s Day, you’re kidding.’ He said, ‘No, I’m not kidding. I just heard it on the radio.’ So I was shocked.”
Jurgensen was traded to the Redskins along with Jimmy Carr for Norm Snead and Claude Crabb. The circumstances Jurgensen was traded under were remarkably similar to the circumstances that led the Broncos to trade Cutler (however, it should be noted that Jurgensen did not throw a temper tantrum). Perhaps the Eagles were frustrated with Jurgensen’s interceptions, injuries, and appreciation of a good night on the town.
Jurgensen’s Hall-of-Fame career is proof that the Redskins got the better end of that deal. As much as I like Jason Campbell, I think the Redskins were justified in their pursuit of Cutler. Prior to the Cutler deal, Jurgensen was the last All-Pro quarterback traded in his twenties and that certainly worked out pretty well for the Redskins.
After everything that Campbell has been through the past two months, he should have the town and team in the palm of his hand. I believe his true ability and leadership skills will emerge this season.
However, it will take a decade of All-Pro performances for Campbell to become as popular as Sonny Jurgensen is in D.C.