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Redskins Legend Sammy Baugh: 1914-2008


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Sammy Baugh, considered one of the greatest Redskins of all time, passed away on Dec. 17, 2008. He was 94.

Baugh grew up in Sweetwater, Tex., and starred at Texas Christian University from 1934-36, leading the Horned Frogs to a national championship.

He joined the Redskins as a first-round draft pick in 1937 and found instant success, guiding the franchise to an NFL championship in his first year in Washington. He led the Redskins to their second NFL championship in 1942.

Baugh was a three-way player, serving as a quarterback, defensive back and punter. Known as "Slingin’ Sammy," he was the first NFL quarterback to make the forward pass a key component of his game.

Baugh played in 165 games and completed 1,693-of-2,995 passes for 21,886 yards, 187 touchdowns and 203 interceptions.

As a defensive back, Baugh recorded 31 career interceptions. As a punter, he had a 45.1 career punting average.

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Baugh would go on to set numerous NFL and Redskins passing records.

A colorful character to boot, Baugh attained celebrity status in Washington, D.C., and in the NFL during his playing days.

Simply put, they just don’t make them anymore like Sammy Baugh.

Sammy Baugh At a Glance

-- Baugh was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, inducted in 1963.

-- Baugh was the first quarterback in history to lead his college team (Texas Christian University) to a national championship and his pro team (the Redskins) to an NFL championship. (Joe Namath and Joe Montana also accomplished the feat.)

-- Baugh led the NFL in passing six times, a mark tied for most ever with Steve Young.

-- Baugh owns the NFL record of most seasons leading the league with lowest interception percentage, a feat he accomplished five times.

-- In 1943, Baugh led the NFL in passing (133-of-239 for 1,754 yards), punting (45.9-yard average) and interceptions (11).

-- Baugh’s 51.4 punting average in 1940 remains an NFL record.

-- Baugh has the NFL’s second-highest career punting average with 45.1 yards per punt.

-- As a defensive back, Baugh set an NFL record with four interceptions in a game against Detroit on Nov. 14, 1943. The mark is tied with 18 other players.

-- Baugh owns the Redskins franchise record for most passing yards in a game with 446 in a 48-10 win over the Brooklyn Dodgers.

-- On "Sammy Baugh Day" at Griffith Stadium on Nov. 23, 1947, Redskins fans gave Baugh a maroon station wagon. Baugh responded by throwing six touchdown passes in leading the Redskins to a 45-21 rout of the Chicago Cardinals. The six TDs remain a Redskins franchise record.


THE LEGACY OF SAMMY BAUGH

NEWS/FEATURES

Redskins, Fans Honor Baugh At FedExField -- Dec. 21, 2008

For 16 Seasons, Baugh Was Redskins’ All-Around Athlete -- Dec. 18, 2008

 Official Redskins Blog: Remembering Sammy Baugh -- Dec. 18, 2008

Redskins Legend Sammy Baugh Passes Away -- Dec. 17, 2008
 
 

VIDEOS

 

 

QUOTES

-- Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder

"Sammy Baugh embodied all we aspire to at the Washington Redskins. He was a competitor in everything he did and a winner. He was one of the greatest to ever play the game of football, and one of the greatest the Redskins ever had. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

-- Redskins head coach Jim Zorn

-- "I didn’t know him that well. I just know the legend. He’s a legend. It takes something like [Baugh’s passing] to really look into a man’s life in depth. He certainly had a colorful life. What amazed me was to find out that his jersey is the only jersey ever retired by the Washington Redskins. That says a lot, for as many guys who have been through the Redskins and all the legendary play on those fields. The other thing I learned about his is that he played both ways. That’s what a real football player was back then. And he also played without a face mask, and that’s way back when. All of those things bring fond memories of a tough game that was just starting out. He’ll be remembered. He’ll be remembered and adored around here."

-- Redskins Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache

“I remember when I was a young kid seeing highlights of Sammy Baugh. One of the things that inspired me to want to be a quarterback as a kid growing up was watching him compete on the tapes and reels.  I admited the way he competed. I just thought he was a cut above everyone else in the way he competed. I thought he was awesome. It is a sad day in Redskins nation to lose one of our all-time greats. It’s unfortunate, but those things happen. Hopefully he is at peace and his family has some strength at this time.”

-- Bill Dudley, Former Redskins Running Back and Hall of Famer

“He was the best, as far as I’m concerned. He could not only throw the ball. He could play defense, he could punt the football, he ran it when he had to. He and I roomed together, and he was a football man. He knew football, played it, and everybody had a lot of confidence in him.”

-- Ace Parker, NFL Quarterback (1937-46) and Hall of Famer

“He was the best passer I ever saw. He could do everything. He could pass, he could play defense, he was the best kicker, and he still holds the single-season punting record.”

 

SAMMY BAUGH CAREER STATS: QUARTERBACK
Year/Team Games Att. Comp. Yds. TD
1937 Redskins 11 171 81 1,127 8
1938 Redskins 9 128 63 853 5
1939 Redskins 9 96 53 518 6
1940 Redskins 11 177 111 1,367 12
1941 Redskins 11 193 106 1,263 10
1942 Redskins 11 225 132 1,524 16
1943 Redskins 10 239 133 1,754 23
1944 Redskins 8 146 82 849 4
1945 Redskins 8 182 128 1,669 11
1946 Redskins 11 161 87 1,163 8
1947 Redskins 12 354 210 2,938 25
1948 Redskins 12 315 185 2,599 22
1949 Redskins 12 255 145 1,903 18
1950 Redskins 11 166 90 1,130 10
1951 Redskins 12 154 67 1,104 7
1952 Redskins 7 33 20 152 2
TOTALS 165 2,995 1,693 21,886 187
SAMMY BAUGH CAREER STATS: PUNTING
Year/Team Games Punts Yds. Avg. Blk
1937 Redskins 11 0 0 0 0
1938 Redskins 9 0 0 0 0
1939 Redskins 9 26 998 38.4 0
1940 Redskins 11 35 1,799 51.4 0
1941 Redskins 11 30 1,462 48.7 0
1942 Redskins 11 37 1,785 48.2 0
1943 Redskins 10 50 2,295 45.9 0
1944 Redskins 8 44 1,787 40.6 0
1945 Redskins 8 33 1,429 40.6 0
1946 Redskins 11 33 1,488 45.1 0
1947 Redskins 12 35 1,528 43.7 0
1948 Redskins 0 0 0 0 0
1949 Redskins 11 1 53 53.0 0
1950 Redskins 11 9 352 39.1 0
1951 Redskins 12 4 221 55.3 0
1952 Redskins 7 1 48 48.0 0
TOTALS 165 338 15,245 45.1 0