Sonny Jurgensen

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{{NFL player 

  |Image= 
  |Caption=
  |DateOfBirth=August 23, 1934
  |Birthplace=Wilmington, NC
  |DateofDeath=
  |Position=QB
  |College=Duke
  |DraftedYear=
  |DraftedRound=
  |Awards=
  |Honors=
  |Records=
  |Retired #s=
  |DatabaseFootball=JURGESON01
  |years=1957-1963
1964-1974
  |teams=Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
  |ProBowls=5
  |HOF=1983}}

Christian Adolph "Sonny" Jurgensen III (born August 23, 1934) is a famed American football quarterback.

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NFL career

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Philadelphia Eagles

Jurgensen grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, attended Duke University and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. He apprenticed under Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin for 4 years, winning an NFL title in 1960. In 1964, he was traded to the Washington Redskins.

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Washington Redskins

Jurgensen riddled enemy defenses with picture-perfect passes for the next 11 seasons in Washington. In 1969, Vince Lombardi took over the Redskins’ coaching. Lombardi quickly developed a strong admiration for the quarterback. "Jurgensen is a great quarterback," the coach said without hesitation. "He may be the best the league has ever seen. He is the best I have seen."

Particularly in Washington, Jurgensen became somewhat of a folk hero. Whether the Redskins won or lost, the often injured Jurgensen provided game-long excitement, throwing long and short, dissecting defenses, and working the clock. A classic drop-back quarterback, Sonny was respected as an exceptional passer, superb team leader, intelligent, determined, competitive, and poised against pass rush.

The Redskins enjoyed a resurgence in the early 1970's under Coach George Allen and made it as far as Super Bowl VII, losing to the Miami Dolphins. However, Billy Kilmer started in place of an injured Jurgensen. At the age of 40 in his final season in 1974, Jurgensen won his third NFL passing crown.

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Honors

In many circles, he is recognized as the finest pure passer of his time. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, he earned three NFL individual passing titles. With a career rating of 82.6, his stats include 2,433 completions for 32,224 yards and 255 touchdowns.

Jurgensen wore jersey number 9. Although the Redskins do not have an official policy of retiring player numbers, no Redskin since him has worn that number in a regular season game.

After retiring from the Redskins' following the 1974 season, Jurgensen began another career as a sports broadcaster. Later teaming with Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff, Jurgensen continues to cover the Washington Redskins.

Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

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External links

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