Hall of Fame Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen Passes Away at 91
Sonny Jurgensen, the beloved Hall of Fame quarterback, has left an indelible mark on Washington football history. The 91-year-old passer, known for his strong arm, wit, and affable personality, passed away of natural causes in Naples, Florida, after a brief stay in hospice care.
Jurgensen's illustrious career, spanning over four decades, is a testament to his incredible talent, work ethic, and dedication to the game. A surprise trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964 marked the beginning of an era for Jurgensen, who rewrote the team's record books with his pinpoint passing and fearless spirit.
The Washington Commanders organization is paying tribute to their beloved quarterback, saying he will "always be one of the defining legends of Washington football." Josh Harris, controlling owner, described Jurgensen as "the embodiment of what it means to don the burgundy and gold: tough, smart, and endlessly devoted to this franchise and its fans."
Jurgensen's impressive resume includes five Pro Bowl appearances, five NFL passing yards leader awards, and a 99-yard touchdown pass that will forever be etched in history books. As a broadcaster, he was part of the iconic "Sonny, Sam, and Frank" radio trio, bringing humor and insight to fans for decades.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Jurgensen's personality shone through. He was notorious for breaking curfew, joking about his physique, and occasionally questioning coaching decisions. However, his love for the game and loyalty to the franchise were unwavering.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1934, Jurgensen rose to fame at Duke University, where he played as a two-way star before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. His journey with the Washington Commanders began three years later, when he was traded on April Fool's Day and shocked to learn it wasn't a prank.
Sonny Jurgensen may be gone, but his legacy will endure. As Jim Porter, Hall of Fame president, aptly put it, "Watching Sonny throw a football was like watching a master craftsman create a work of art."
Sonny Jurgensen, the beloved Hall of Fame quarterback, has left an indelible mark on Washington football history. The 91-year-old passer, known for his strong arm, wit, and affable personality, passed away of natural causes in Naples, Florida, after a brief stay in hospice care.
Jurgensen's illustrious career, spanning over four decades, is a testament to his incredible talent, work ethic, and dedication to the game. A surprise trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964 marked the beginning of an era for Jurgensen, who rewrote the team's record books with his pinpoint passing and fearless spirit.
The Washington Commanders organization is paying tribute to their beloved quarterback, saying he will "always be one of the defining legends of Washington football." Josh Harris, controlling owner, described Jurgensen as "the embodiment of what it means to don the burgundy and gold: tough, smart, and endlessly devoted to this franchise and its fans."
Jurgensen's impressive resume includes five Pro Bowl appearances, five NFL passing yards leader awards, and a 99-yard touchdown pass that will forever be etched in history books. As a broadcaster, he was part of the iconic "Sonny, Sam, and Frank" radio trio, bringing humor and insight to fans for decades.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Jurgensen's personality shone through. He was notorious for breaking curfew, joking about his physique, and occasionally questioning coaching decisions. However, his love for the game and loyalty to the franchise were unwavering.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1934, Jurgensen rose to fame at Duke University, where he played as a two-way star before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. His journey with the Washington Commanders began three years later, when he was traded on April Fool's Day and shocked to learn it wasn't a prank.
Sonny Jurgensen may be gone, but his legacy will endure. As Jim Porter, Hall of Fame president, aptly put it, "Watching Sonny throw a football was like watching a master craftsman create a work of art."
sonny jurgensen was literally the best ever i mean have u seen those old vids of him playin 4 washington?? he was so funny & witty lol remembir dat time he broke curfew at a game 
& all his jokes on himself tho 
his legacy will def live on thru the commanders tho 
cant wait to see josh harris bring back some new hall of famer jerseys w/ sonny's face on em!!! 
! Anyway, 91 years old is crazy and he deserves all the respect in the world for leaving such an impact on the game 
.
he was literally the coolest quarterback ever i mean who else could break curfew and still manage to be so likable 
what i love most about sonny is how down-to-earth he was, even with all the fame and success he had. he's definitely someone who'll be missed by football fans everywhere 
. and can we just say his broadcasting career with Sam and Frank is a total blast from the past? 
. I mean, his career spanned over four decades and he was still playing with fire till the end - it's a testament to his strength of character and dedication to the game. 
. His memory will live on through all those amazing moments he created with the Commanders and fans everywhere 
! He lived an amazing 91 years, which is totally lit 
, and he had an incredible career that we can all learn from 
!
he was such an iconic figure in washington football history, and his legacy will definitely live on 
i mean, 5 pro bowl appearances and 99 yard touchdown pass are crazy stats for anyone, let alone at 91 years old 
the way he always spoke his mind and joked around was part of what made him so lovable and relatable, you know? 
anyway, let's just say sonny jurgensen will be deeply missed, but his memory will continue to inspire future generations of football players and fans alike 
i remember listening to the sonny, sam, and frank radio show with my dad back in the day 
. Anyway, it's nice that they're remembering him fondly, even if he was known for breaking curfew (who hasn't done that at least once, right? 
).
. Don't get me wrong, Sonny Jurgensen was a legend on the field and all, but 91? That's just crazy old for a sports hero 
The fact that he got to play in four decades is impressive, but let's be real, most people can't even keep their jobs for more than three years 
.
.
. Some ppl say it's true but I'm like, what's wrong with having some confidence in ur skills? 
. I mean, 99-yard TD pass? That's crazy talk! 
. He had this funny personality that just drew you in. Reminds me of Bart Starr, but even more charismatic 
). Anyway, condolences to the Jurgensen family and the Commanders organization 
The fact that he was part of that iconic radio trio with Sam & Frank is just icing on the cake 
. What's crazy is that he still managed to keep people entertained off the field too - who else could get away with breaking curfew? 
. Did you know Sonny was traded by the Eagles in 1964 but didn't even find out it wasn't a prank until after he signed his new contract? April Fool's Day is like that for some people 
. He was also named one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history by the NFL Network 
.
, rather than just a talented quarterback. And you know what? I think they're right 
. The dude was known for breaking curfew and joking around, which shows he wasn't afraid to be himself, even if it meant going against the grain 
, but I do hope more people appreciate his goofy side