The Washington Commanders are about to embark on a different journey – a new team name and the change that all fans have been anticipating. This is one fan’s view of the last fifty-eight years.
The Washington name change is here. The drama was steadily building for nineteen months. We are now at a point of no return. Some fans are excited about the change. Some are withholding judgment. Others are sad and the remainder is angry. No matter what emotions we are feeling, it will take a while to get used to the new name and then everything will be fine – at least the team hopes so.
Today, I hope you will indulge me a bit. My earliest memories of this team date back to the fall of 1963 and it is time to share some of this history with you as the new name arrives. It’s my last look at the old name and a final reflection of each decade, but don’t be surprised if we take a look back on occasion. Historical perspectives never get old, but this is about the team name and that is certainly different than the football performances of yesteryear. With that in mind, let’s take a final few minutes to usher out the old and welcome the new.
The 1960s and 1970s
My first memory of the Burgundy and Gold was the fall of1963. I was four years old and turned five in mid-December. The season ended two days before my birthday and Washington finished with a dreadful 3-11 record. The next spring, quarterback Norm Snead was traded for Philadelphia’s reckless gunslinger – a red-headed, out of shape quarterback named Sonny Jurgensen. My father hated the trade, but he quickly changed that tune within a couple of years.
In 1966, Hall of Famer Otto Graham became the head coach and general manager. All he brought to Washington was a great offense, but a defense that left a lot to be desired. However, Graham’s team was able to win the highest scoring game in NFL history – a 72-41 triumph over the New York Giants. It was one big play after another and the late afternoon games on television were boring compared to what we witnessed. I went outside and tossed a couple of footballs around while pretending to be Sonny. I completed at least 50 passes to imaginary targets.
Remember the season when Charley Taylor, Jerry Smith, and Bobby Mitchell went 1, 2, and 4 in the NFL with receiving yardage? I certainly do. If only they had a decent defense.
Sonny Jurgensen, Charley Taylor, Jerry Smith and Bobby Mitchell, @BrittanyMDonald @skinzmama @diehardskins21 pic.twitter.com/WJpVLnriz8
— leonard kirby (@leonardkirby) January 21, 2016
The legendary Vince Lombardi arrived in 1969 as head coach and general manager. Washington didn’t have a winning season since 1955, but that changed in his only season. Unfortunately, Lombardi died of cancer just prior to the 1970 season, but he taught the team how to win and how to be a winner.
Note: Sonny Jurgensen is my all-time favorite player.
In 1971, Washington hired former Rams coach George Allen and he took the team to a level that it hadn’t experience in nearly thirty years. He took the Burgundy and Gold to the Super Bowl after a very successful season in 1972.
Words of wisdom from Hall of Fame coach and @Redskins great, George Allen. #MotivationMonday #MondayMotivation #Motivate #Inspire pic.twitter.com/qAg8dqg1jg
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 26, 2018
A new level of success for Washington
Following the Super Bowl loss to the Dolphins, Washington enjoyed several additional seasons of success under Allen, but never had the chance to play in another Super Bowl.
It was tough to see Sonny retire after the 1974 season, but he was the leader in passing yardage for the league at age 40. That is amazing, especially when you consider that he shared his duties at quarterback with former player Billy Kilmer. I’m sure he has mixed emotions about the name change, but it’s also nice to see that he is still active at age 87.
Late in the 1975 season, Charley Taylor became the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions. It was even sweeter when he accomplished the feat against Philadelphia.
Former Washington player Jack Pardee was hired as the new coach in 1978 and the Allen magic was gone in a heartbeat. The season finale in 1979 was downright depressing. Washington had a 34-21 lead over the Cowboys with less than two minutes to go. Dallas won 35-34 and I will never forgive Pardee for that loss. It knocked Washington out of the playoffs and put Dallas in. It was also the last regular season game for Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach. I’m still seething about it.