Sonny Jurgensen, Hall of Fame quarterback and Washington sports icon, has died. He was 91. A spokesman for the commanders confirmed that the team was informed of his death on Friday.
Former Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen sits on a golf cart in a tunnel before an NFL football game (AP)”We are extremely proud of his amazing life and accomplishments on the field, not only with a golden arm but also with a fearless spirit and intellect that have made him one of the legends of Canton,” his family said in a statement. “He lived with deep gratitude for the teammates, colleagues and friends he met along the way. When he took his final snap, his legacy will remain an integral part of the city he loved and the family he built.”
Update on Sonny Jurgensen’s cause of deathWhile the family did not reveal the exact cause of death, we can report that Sonny Jurgensen struggled with health issues throughout his career and beyond. During his NFL career, Jurgensen was known for his durability but faced significant physical challenges.
In 1968, he played through broken ribs and chronic elbow pain caused by calcium deposits. Later, in 1972, he missed significant time, including Super Bowl VII, while battling various injuries.
The 91-year-old retired from his longtime role as a Washington radio broadcaster in 2019 at the age of 84. In his later years, he was occasionally seen using a golf cart to get around during public appearances at FedEx Field.
An amazing quarterbackJurgensen came to Washington in 1964 in a surprising quarterback swap that sent Norm Snead to the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the next 11 seasons, Jurgensen rewrote the team’s record books.
He topped 3,000 yards five times, including twice with Philadelphia, in an era before rule changes opened up NFL offenses. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and is the only Washington player to wear the No. 9 jersey in a game.
“Sonny Jurgensen is, and always will be, one of the defining legends of Washington football,” said controlling owner Josh Harris. “For me, Sonny was the embodiment of the meaning of the burgundy and gold outfit: tough, smart and relentlessly dedicated to the franchise and its fans.”
(with AP input)
