Sonny Jurgensen, Redskins Legend and Hall of Famer, Dies at 91

Sonny Jurgensen, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Washington Redskins history and one of the finest pure passers the NFL has ever seen, died Thursday. He was 91.

The franchise announced Jurgensen’s passing in a statement, calling him “one of the defining legends of Washington football.” He died in Naples, Florida, after a brief stay in hospice care.

Jurgensen spent 11 seasons as the face of the Redskins during the 1960s and early 1970s, redefining the quarterback position in an era dominated by the running game. His rare arm strength, accuracy and toughness made him a star in Washington and a nightmare for opposing defenses.

He led the NFL in passing yards three times (1966, 1967, 1969), led the league in touchdown passes in 1967 and finished his career with 32,224 passing yards, 255 touchdowns and five 3,000-yard seasons. Jurgensen was a four-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team.

Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris said Jurgensen embodied the identity of the franchise long before the modern era.

“Sonny was the embodiment of what it means to don the Burgundy and Gold — tough, smart and endlessly devoted to this franchise and its fans,” Harris said. He also noted Jurgensen’s impact beyond the field, where his voice became a fixture of Washington Sundays for decades as a broadcaster.

Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jurgensen starred at Duke University before being selected in the fourth round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He helped Philadelphia win the 1960 NFL championship before being traded to Washington in 1964 in a deal that reshaped the Redskins’ future.

Jurgensen quickly became a fan favorite in the nation’s capital, known for his fearless style and confidence. In 1968, he threw a 99-yard touchdown pass, tying the NFL record for the longest pass play in league history.

After retiring in 1974, Jurgensen transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, spending nearly four decades as the radio voice of Redskins football before retiring in 2019.

In a statement, his family remembered him as more than a football legend.

“Beyond the stadium lights, he was the steady, humorous and deeply loving heart of our family,” the statement said. “While he has taken his final snap, his legacy will remain an indelible part of the city he loved.”

Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and had his No. 9 jersey retired by Washington in 2023. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Margo Hurt, four sons, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.