Washington Redskins: 15 best quarterbacks of all-time

You could make a case for Mark Rypien in this spot, as his career with the Redskins, although still relatively brief, was longer than Doug Williams‘. But the story behind Williams’ Super Bowl championship is an impressive one. Had it happened to another team, another quarterback, it would have never happened at all.

Williams’ road to the Redskins was a winding one. He was a first-round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1981, largely due to the influence of Buccaneers offensive coordinator Joe Gibbs. Does he sound familiar?

For five years, Williams provided the Buccaneers with quality quarterback play. When it came time to earn an extension, however, he was shorted the money of a starter, presumably due to his skin color. Williams went to the USFL when the Buccaneers refused to grant his contract request. He played there until the league was disbanded.

Then a free agent, Williams scouted opportunities in the NFL, and was quickly called by Joe Gibbs, now the head coach for the Redskins. Gibbs offered Williams a job as Jay Schroeder’s backup. Williams hastily accepted.

For much of the 1986 and 1987 seasons, Williams sat on the bench. When Schroeder was lost to injury in 1987, Williams stepped in and played well enough to keep the job heading into the playoffs.

From there, he won three-straight games. His run culminated in a Super Bowl blowout of John Elway and the Denver Broncos. Williams became the first African-American quarterback to play, and win, in a Super Bowl. He was the game’s MVP.

Williams would only play one more full season with the Redskins before losing the job amicably to Mark Rypien. He left the team as a legend. Today, he works as the Director of Player Personnel for the Redskins, working to bring back the same success he experienced on the field.