Washington Football Icon Sonny Jurgensen Dies At 91

Sonny Jurgensen, the charismatic Hall of Fame quarterback whose golden arm and vibrant wit made him a legend in Washington football, has died at age 91. His family announced his passing on February 6, 2026, marking the end of an era for the Washington Commanders and the broader NFL community. Jurgensen’s journey through football—spanning from his early days in Wilmington, North Carolina, to his decades as a player and broadcaster in the nation’s capital—left a legacy that will long be cherished by fans and peers alike.

Born Christian Adolph Jurgensen III on August 23, 1934, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jurgensen was destined for gridiron greatness. His athletic prowess was evident from a young age, and he opted to stay close to home, attending Duke University. There, he excelled as a defensive back, quarterback, and punter, earning first-team All-ACC honors twice, helping the Blue Devils to multiple conference titles and a victory in the 1955 Orange Bowl. His versatility and leadership on the field set the stage for what would become a storied professional career.

Jurgensen entered the NFL when the Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the fourth round of the 1957 draft. Initially, he spent four seasons as a backup, but when he finally took over as starting quarterback in 1961, he wasted no time making history. That season, he passed for an NFL-record 3,723 yards and tied Johnny Unitas’ single-season record with 32 touchdown passes—a mark that stood as the Eagles’ team record until 2017. Jurgensen led the league in passing yards again in 1962, cementing his status as one of the game’s premier passers.

In a move that would redefine two franchises, Jurgensen was traded to Washington in 1964 in exchange for Norm Snead and Claude Crabb. Reflecting on the trade years later, Jurgensen said, "When I looked back on it, being shocked initially, it was an opportunity to start fresh and to start anew. It was a team I had followed because the Redskins were part of the South. I had come up to see them play as a high school team. My family could come up and see me play. I enjoyed that."

It didn’t take long for Jurgensen to make his mark in Washington. Selected to the Pro Bowl and named a Second Team All-Pro in his very first season with the team, he quickly became a fan favorite. His style was unmistakable—clinical throws, a fearless spirit, and a sense of humor that endeared him to teammates and supporters alike. Jurgensen’s “golden arm” was legendary, and his pinpoint passing helped make the then-Redskins competitive and exciting once more.

During his 11 seasons with Washington, Jurgensen led the league in passing yards in 1966, 1967, and 1969, passing touchdowns in 1967, and completion percentage in 1970. He was named to the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team, and by the time he retired in 1974, he had amassed 2,433 completions, 32,224 passing yards, and 255 touchdowns—along with five 3,000-yard seasons, a remarkable feat in the pre-modern passing era. He made the Pro Bowl five times and led the NFL in passing yards five times.

Jurgensen’s career was filled with unforgettable moments. Perhaps none was more dramatic than the game on November 28, 1965, when he shrugged off boos from the home crowd and engineered a comeback from a 21-0 deficit to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31, throwing for 411 yards and three touchdowns. After the game, he quipped, "I'm glad the crowd let me stay in. It was decent of them, and maybe Bill McPeak appreciates it, too." That performance remains one of the most celebrated in Washington football history.

Known for his out-of-the-pocket thinking—sometimes literally—Jurgensen was notorious for breaking curfew, ignoring coaches, and joking about his less-than-ideal physique. Yet, his football IQ and passing accuracy more than compensated. "All I ask of my blockers is four seconds," he once explained. "I try to stay on my feet and not be forced out of the pocket … I beat people by throwing, not running. I won't let them intimidate me into doing something which is not the best thing I can do."

Jurgensen played through injuries and even won over the legendary Vince Lombardi, who coached Washington to its first winning season in over a decade in 1969. Lombardi once said, "Jurgensen is a great quarterback. He hangs in there under adverse conditions. He may be the best the league has ever seen. He is the best I have seen." The mutual respect between the two icons was evident, but after Lombardi’s untimely death, Jurgensen’s relationship with successor George Allen was less harmonious, leading to the famous "Sonny vs. Billy" quarterback debates with Billy Kilmer. Despite the rivalry, the two became lifelong friends and both contributed to Washington’s run to the 1972 Super Bowl, the team’s first NFL championship appearance in nearly thirty years.

Jurgensen’s records are etched in NFL lore. In 1968, he tied the league record for the longest pass play with a 99-yard touchdown throw to Gerry Allen. His career passer rating of 82.6 stood as the highest for any player in the "Dead Ball Era" before the NFL’s passing-friendly rules took effect in 1978. He is the only Washington player to have worn the No. 9 jersey in a game, and in 2023, the Commanders retired his number, making him just the fourth player in franchise history to receive that honor.

After retiring as a player, Jurgensen transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming part of the beloved "Sonny, Sam and Frank" radio trio that entertained and informed Washington fans for nearly four decades. Whether rooting for or critiquing the team, Jurgensen’s insights and humor made him a fixture in the city’s sports culture. He officially retired from broadcasting in 2019, closing a remarkable chapter of service to the franchise.

Jurgensen passed away in Naples, Florida, after a brief stay in hospice care. He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty years, Margo Hurt, four sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His sister, Betty Moscoso, predeceased him two years to the day, on February 6, 2024. The Commanders, NFL, and fans everywhere mourn the loss of a true original—one whose impact on the game and the city of Washington will never be forgotten.

As the city reflects on his legacy, Jurgensen’s memory endures—not just in the record books, but in the hearts of those who cheered for him, played alongside him, and listened to his unmistakable voice on fall Sundays. The burgundy and gold faithful will always remember Sonny as the quarterback who made football fun, thrilling, and, above all, unforgettable.