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As the NFL world is set to watch the next faces of the league improve their draft status at the annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Washington Redskins can only hope that there is a historical player among the bunch that they could possibly draft.
Is there perhaps a player in Indianapolis that could go on to have a Hall of Fame career wearing the Burgundy and Gold?
The Redskins have had a long, illustrious and tradition-laden history in the National Football League. Over an 80-plus-years span, the Burgundy and Gold have made an indelible mark on the nation’s capital and its avid fan base.
Over this span the Redskins won the 1937 and 1942 Championship games, as well as Super Bowls XVII, XXII, and XXVI. They also played in, and lost, the 1936, 1940, 1943, and 1945 Championship games, as well as Super Bowls VII and XVIII.
Since the inception of the team, the Redskins have produced countless numbers of Hall of Fame players. Some of those players have played all or most of their careers in D.C.
In breaking down the greatest five Washington Redskins players of all time, the criteria was that they had to have played at least 80 percent of their career, if not all of it, wearing the Burgundy and Gold.
5. WR Art Monk and RB John Riggins
Yes, there are two legendary players here in this spot. Not having one or the other would not do their Hall of Fame careers justice.
Wide Receiver Art Monkwas drafted out of Syracuse by the Redskins in 1980 and played until 1993. He then went on to play for the New York Jets in 1994 and just three games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 before retiring.
He finished his career as Washington’s all-time leading receiver with 888 receptions and has the second-most receiving touchdowns in Redskins history at 65. Over a 15-year career, he totaled 12,721 receiving yards.
Monk was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Running back John Riggins, out of the University of Kansas, was an iconic figure with the Redskins. Over his career he rushed for 11,352 yards and 104 touchdowns. In nine seasons with Washington — from 1976 to 1985 — Riggins’ led the team’s vaunted running game under Head Coach Joe Gibbs.
Riggins will always be remembered for his big run in Super Bowl XVII that gave Washington the lead over the Miami Dolphins. Washington went on to win that championship 27-17.
Rigging was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
4. WR Charlie Taylor
The Redskins drafted the versatile Taylor in the first round (third overall) in 1964 and earned the NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year award as a running back. He also became the first rookie in 20 years to finish in the NFL’s Top 10 in both rushing (sixth with 755 yards) and receiving (eighth with 53 catches for 814 yards). The 53 receptions were then a record for running backs.
Taylor played for Washington from 1964 to 1977.
The eight-time Pro Bowler’s career numbers as a member of the Burgundy and Gold were record-driven and earned Taylor a trip to Canton. He finished his career with gaudy numbers: 649 receptions for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. He also netted 1,488 yards rushing in his career with 11 rushing touchdowns and 79 receptions.
3. LB Chris Hanburger
Hanburger just might be the best linebacker to ever wear a Redskins uniform. He was voted to nine Pro Bowls and earned four First-Team All-Pro NFL selections.
He amassed 19 interceptions and three career fumble recoveries for touchdowns which was an NFL record at the time of his retirement.
Hanburger was known as a ferocious tackler and intimidator who patrolled the middle of the field.
He played for Washington from 1965 to 1978 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
2. QB Sammy Baugh
“Slinging’ Sammy Baugh“ as he was called, was as important for changing the way the forward pass revolutionized the NFL to being the Redskins first true legend.
From 1937 to 1952 Baugh played the quarterback, punter and cornerback positions for the Burgundy and Gold. He averaged 45.1 yards per punt and had 31 career interceptions. He produced 21,886 passing yards to go along with 187 touchdowns.
Baugh was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.
And the greatest Redskins player of all time is?
1. CB Darrell Green
Darrell Green had the longest career of any Washington player over a career that spanned 20 years. Every season was played as member of the Burgundy and Gold which solidifies this defensive back’s status in the hearts of Redskins fans both young and old.
Green was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 1990s.
Not only was this player out of tiny Texas A&M University-Kingsville recognized as one of the game’s best-ever cornerbacks, but also as perhaps the fastest player in NFL history.
From 1983 to 2002 Green amassed 1,159 tackles, 54 interceptions and eight touchdowns. He also has most the career interceptions in Redskins history.
Green was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
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