Washington Redskins

The Redskins were founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves, and moved to Washington in 1937. Over their first 14 seasons, they won their division 6 times, winning the NFL championship twice. 

For the 25 seasons from 1946-70 they never made the post-season, winning as many as 8 games only once (1955). In Vince Lombardi’s lone season as head coach (1969) the team posted a 7-5-2 record, their first winning season since 1955. 

Head coach George Allen arrived in 1971, and the team made the playoffs 5 times in Allen’s 7 seasons, losing Super Bowl VII after the 1972 season. In 1966 they posted a 7-7 record, a one game improvement over 1965’s 6-8 record. 

The Dick Shiner and Sam Huff cards were made by RetroCards and are not part of the original set. Of the remaining 11 cards, I only had Vince Promuto and Jim Steffen’s cards since the 1960s, and they are in fair-to-poor condition. I got all the rest in the past 3 months.

Sonny Jurgensen was the Eagles’ 4th-round pick in 1957, who the Redskins acquired from the Eagles after the 1963 season for Norm Snead. He was their starting QB from 1964-70, with Bill Kilmer taking over at the start of the Allen regime. Sonny was a 5-time Pro Bowler, and led the NFL in passing yards 5 times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. 

 

Dick Shiner was drafted by the Redskins in 1964, and was their backup QB for 3 seasons. After a year as a backup in Cleveland, Shiner was the Steelers’ starting QB from 1968-69. From 1971-74, he was a backup for the Giants, Falcons, and Patriots.

 

Charley Taylor – The Redskins’ 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1964, he was their leading receiver from 1966-74. He was the team’s starting halfback for his first 3 seasons, making the Pro Bowl each year. During 1966 he switched to split end, and started there every season through 1977 (although missing 1976 with a knee injury). He made 4 more Pro Bowls in the early-1970s, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984. 

 

Bobby Mitchell was drafted by the Browns in 1958, and was a halfback during his 4 years there. In 1962 he switched teams (Redskins) and positions (flanker). He was a 4-time Pro Bowler, and was named first-team All-Pro in 1962, the year he led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. Like Jurgensen, he was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1983. 

 

Pat Richter was the Redskins’ 1st-round pick in 1963. He played for them from 1963-70, mostly as a backup tight end although he was the starter in ’63 and ’68. He was also a punter for his first 5 seasons.

 

Vince Promuto – The Redskins selected Promuto in the 4th round in 1960, and he was a starting guard every season from 1960-69 (although missing 10 games in 1968). He finished his career as a backup in 1970. He was named to the Pro Bowl in ’63 and ’64. 

 

*Joe Rutgens was the Redskins’ 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1961. He was a starting defensive tackle from 1961-69, except for 1966. Rutgens was named to the Pro Bowl in ‘63 and ‘65. 

 

Sam Huff was the Giants’ 3rd-round pick in 1956, and their starting middle linebacker from 1956-63 (making 4 Pro Bowls in that time). He was also the Redskins’ starting middle linebacker from 1964-67, picking up another Pro Bowl in 1964. He retired after 1967, but new coach Vince Lombardi talked him into coming back for the 1969 season. Huff was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1982. 

 

*Rickie Harris – An undrafted free agent, Harris played for the Redskins from 1965-70. He was a starting cornerback from 1966-68, and their free safety from 1969-70. He was also a starting safety for the Patriots from 1971-72. 

 

*Lonnie Sanders – A 2nd-round pick in 1963, Sanders was a starting cornerback for his first 2 seasons, and a backup for 3 more. He was the Cardinals’ starting right cornerback in 1968, and played 1 game for them in 1969. 

 

Jim Steffen was drafted by the Lions in 1957, and played for them until joining the Redskins midway through the 1961 season. He was a starting cornerback from 1962-63, and a starting safety from 1964-65. He did not play in 1966. 

 

Johnny Sample – The Colts’ 7th pick in 1958, Sample played for Baltimore for 3 seasons, and was their starting free safety in 1960. After 2 seasons as a Steelers’ cornerback, he played for the Redskins from 1963-65. Although limited to 2 games in ‘63, he was their starting left cornerback from 1964-65. He spent his final 3 seasons as the Jets’ starting left cornerback. His last game was Super Bowl III. 

 

Paul Krause – Drafted in the 2nd round in 1964, Krause was a starting safety for the Redskins for 4 seasons, and was named first-team All-Pro in his first 2 years. He was also the Vikings’ free safety from 1968-79, starting every game until his final 2 seasons. He made 6 more Pro Bowls with Minnesota, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. 

 

Hall of Famers - 5

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

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