Finally, the Burgundy and Gold No. 9 will be retired.
Tuesday, on his 88th birthday (August 23, 1934) the Washington Commanders announced they are retiring Sonny Jurgensen’s No. 9 jersey.
Jurgensen quarterbacked the former Redskins from 1964-1974 so well, that he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 1983 class.
Straight from 𝟵 pic.twitter.com/N5gdRoMK35
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 23, 2022
The Commanders will honor Sonny, officially retiring his jersey during this season’s Week 18 home contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Jurgensen being 88 years old, we hope he will be able to attend.
Sonny led the NFL in completions and passing yards in 1966, 1967 and 1969, despite his offensive line giving up the most sacks in 1969 (40). Also in 1967, Sonny set a franchise record that remarkably still stands today, when he passed for 31 touchdowns (in only a 14-game season).
In 1970 on a 6-8 team, he led the NFL in completion percentage. In 1972 the Redskins had their best team since the 1940’s. Sonny led the team to four straight victories including an exciting come from behind 24-20 win over Dallas at RFK, where Dallas had led 13-0 and 20-7.
The next week in New York against the Giants, Sonny was untouched when he stepped in an uneven section of turf, tearing his Achilles tendon. At age 38, Washington continued to win, becoming NFC Champions before losing Super Bowl VII to Miami 14-7. Sadly, Sonny had to watch on crutches.
Jurgensen retired after the 1974 season and continued being hugely popular in the DMV, working for WTOP TV 9 and later WRC TV 4, providing Redskins analysis. He then joined the Radio Broadcast team of Frank Herzog and Sam Huff, announcing games for the team he loved from 1981-2018.
Consequently, Sonny Jurgensen quarterbacked Washington for 11 seasons and was part of the legendary radio broadcast team for another 38 seasons. When we think of retired Washington Redskins jerseys, who have actually put in the time and work that Sonny Jurgensen has?
Could there even be anyone else as deserving as Sonny Jurgensen?
