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Six unsung plays from Washington Redskins history

By Jonathan Eig

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Robert Griffin III #10 of the Washington Redskins looks to make a pass during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at FedEx Field on August 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Robert Griffin III #10 of the Washington Redskins looks to make a pass during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at FedEx Field on August 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 26: Gerald Riggs #37 and Terry Orr #89 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after Riggs scored against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota January 26, 1992. The Redskins won the Super Bowl 37-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 26: Gerald Riggs #37 and Terry Orr #89 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after Riggs scored against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota January 26, 1992. The Redskins won the Super Bowl 37-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

TERRY ORR AND RAVIN CALDWELL, 1-31-88

This is the greatest play in Redskins’ history.

All right – maybe just the greatest play that nobody talks about. It is the greatest because it directly set up the greatest quarter in NFL history. It is the greatest because it was made by the special teams, an area of the game that the forward-thinking Redskins once dominated. It is the greatest because it was made by a couple of mid-level players – players who exemplified a Redskins’ franchise which had such extraordinary depth that their also-rans were better than many teams’ first-liners. Such was the case with tight end Terry Orr and linebacker Ravin Caldwell.

The Denver Broncos came out on fire at the beginning of Super Bowl XXII. Five and a half minutes into the game, Rich Karliss’ 24-yard field goal put them up 10-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Redskins receiver Ricky Sanders fumbled the ball inside his own 20. The Broncos seemed poised to pounce on it.

Had they recovered, they would have again had the ball in scoring position, already up 10-0 and with all the momentum in the world. But they didn’t recover.

Well, maybe they did. At the bottom of the pile, some unnamed Bronco had possession of the ball. Then Orr and Caldwell went to work on him. Caldwell snickers when he recalls what went on at the bottom of those fumble scrambles. He won’t reveal any further details. But when they un-piled, the refs awarded the ball to the Redskins. The Redskins were able to advance the ball to around midfield before punting back to Denver. They had flipped the field. The Broncos would not score again.

As you probably know, the Redskins would. 35 points in the second quarter. Into all the record books.

My favorite part of this scramble play is that we still don’t know for sure who recovered the ball. The official NFL game record says it was Caldwell. But after the game, defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon credited Orr. I tend to believe Coach Petitbon, but I guess it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that somebody in burgundy and gold had the ball, and history was waiting in the next room.

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