Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen has passed away at the age of 91, the Washington Commanders announced.
Jurgensen was selected in the fourth round of the 1957 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent eight seasons there. He was a backup on the 1960 team that won the NFL Championship. In his first season as a starter, he threw 32 touchdown passes, a mark that remains the franchise’s single-season record, and earned first-time All-Pro honors.
He was traded to Washington before the 1964 season, and played with the franchise for the next 11 seasons, finishing his career with 32,224 passing yards, 255 touchdowns, and 189 interceptions. He led the NFL in passing yards five times during his career.
‘Sonny Jurgensen is, and always will be, one of the defining legends of Washington football. He was a brilliant leader, Hall of Fame quarterback, and had one of the best arms the game has ever seen. After his career on the field, Sonny’s voice became a fixture of Washington Sundays for decades, shaping the way generations of fans experienced the game,’ Josh Harris, the Commanders’ managing partner, said in a statement.
‘For me, Sonny was the embodiment of what it means to don the Burgundy and Gold: tough, smart, and endlessly devoted to this franchise and its fans. He was a giant of the game and a beloved part of our team’s identity. Our hearts and prayers are with Sonny’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him.’
After retirement, Jurgensen spent nearly four decades as an analyst on various Washington football broadcasts.
Jurgensen, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, and the Commanders retired his No. 9 jersey in 2022.