Commanders to retire Sonny Jurgensen’s No. 9 jersey in Week 18 finale

The Washington Commanders off-field reputation will always be tainted as long as Dan Snyder remains the owner, but president Jason Wright has done an excellent job incorporating former players in the franchise’s rebrand.

On Tuesday, the Commanders took another admirable step in honoring a revered player in the organization’s history. Per multiple reports, Washington will retire former quarterback Sonny Jurgensen’s No. 9 jersey at FedEx Field in the Week 18 finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Arguably the best pure passer in Washington history, Jurgensen is a legend on and off the field for his work on the team’s radio broadcast for decades.

What a classy move by the organization.

The Commanders will retire former quarterback Sonny Jurgensen’s No. 9 jersey this season.

This is fantastic news. Not only does Jurgensen deserve the honor, but it’s his 88th birthday today. Little details like that might no unnoticed to some, but they really make a gesture like this that much more applause-worthy. Why announce it on some random day when you can make it official on Sonny’s birthday?

Credit to every involved in the decision-making process.

Jurgensen quarterbacked Washington from 1964-74 and ranks second in franchise history in passing yards (22,585), touchdowns (179), passer rating (83.9), completions (1,831) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (1.54). He’s also third in completion rate (58.0 percent) and fourth in yards per attempt (7.16).

If you can believe it, Jurgensen is still the only Commanders quarterback to compile 30 or more passing touchdowns in a single season. The hope is Carson Wentz will shatter that record, but the fact it’s stood for this long (54 years if our math is correct) is just a testament to how prolific he was under center.

This is admittedly a long overdue honor for Jurgensen, but better late than never, right? By the time Week 18 rolls around, the Hall of Famer will become the fourth Washington player to have his jersey retired, joining Sammy Baugh (No. 33), Bobby Mitchell (No. 49) and Sean Taylor, whose No. 21 was retired last year.

Jurgensen’s career accolades include leading the NFL in passing five times and making five Pro Bowls. He won the NFL Championship with Philadelphia in 1960, but wasn’t the starter so that softens the blow from a Washington perspective.

The Duke product didn’t become the full-time starter until the following season and all he did was become a First-Team All-Pro.

Jurgen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and cemented his status as a Washington legend for his work on the radio broadcast.

What a way to celebrate your 88th birthday.