Saturday, February 7, 2026

RIP - Sonny Jurgensen

Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen passed away on February 6, 2026 at age 91.
Jurgensen played for the Eagles from 1957 to 1963, and was their starting QB for his last 3 seasons there. 
 
He was traded to the Redskins, and was their starter from 1964 until George Allen arrived in 1971. (I always thought that Allen preferred the newly-acquired Bill Kilmer over Jurgy, but Sonny was injured early in 1971, thus losing the job to Kilmer.) Jurgensen started all but 3 games during his first 7 seasons with Washington. He stayed on as a backup for 4 more seasons, starting as many as 4 games in three of those years. 
 
He was a 5-time Pro-Bowler (4 with the Redskins) and led the NFL in passing yards 5 times and in pass completions 4 times. He also passed for more then 400 yards in a single game five times, and threw five touchdown passes in a game twice. 
 
Jurgensen retired after the 1974 season, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. 
 
After his playing career he became a broadcaster, first for CBS and then 38 seasons for the Redskins.