Washington Football Legend Sonny Jurgensen Dies At 91

The football world is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, as Sonny Jurgensen, the Hall of Fame quarterback whose golden arm and magnetic personality electrified Washington fans for more than a generation, has died at age 91. Jurgensen’s family announced his passing on Friday, February 6, 2026, and the news quickly reverberated through the NFL community, with tributes pouring in from teammates, rivals, and the wider sports world.

Jurgensen’s legacy is woven tightly into the fabric of Washington football. From his arrival in a blockbuster 1964 trade to his final snap in 1974, he didn’t just rewrite the team’s record books—he helped define an era. Known for his strong arm, quick wit, and an everyman charm that made him a beloved figure both on and off the field, Jurgensen’s impact stretched far beyond the gridiron.

Born Christian Adolph Jurgensen III on August 23, 1934, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Sonny was a football prodigy from the start. At Duke University, he starred as a quarterback, defensive back, and punter, earning first-team All-ACC honors twice and helping the Blue Devils capture multiple conference titles and the 1955 Orange Bowl. His versatility and leadership set him apart, and the Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the fourth round of the 1957 NFL Draft.

Jurgensen’s early years in Philadelphia were spent learning behind Norm Van Brocklin, but when he finally got his shot in 1961, he made it count. That year, he passed for a then-NFL record 3,723 yards and tied Johnny Unitas’ mark with 32 touchdown passes, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. He led the league in passing yards again in 1962 and was a member of the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship team, which famously bested Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers.

But it was in Washington where Jurgensen’s legend truly blossomed. Traded to the nation’s capital in 1964 in exchange for Norm Snead and Claude Crabb, Jurgensen quickly became the face of the franchise. “When I looked back on it, being shocked initially, it was an opportunity to start fresh and to start anew,” Jurgensen later recalled of the trade. “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.”

Jurgensen’s debut season in Washington saw him selected to the Pro Bowl and named Second Team All-Pro, and his dominance only grew from there. During his 11 seasons with the Burgundy & Gold, he led the NFL in passing yards three times (1966, 1967, 1969), passing touchdowns once (1967), and completion percentage in 1970. He was named to the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team, a testament to his sustained excellence and innovation at the quarterback position.

Fans adored Jurgensen not just for his pinpoint throws but for his fun-loving persona. He was notorious for breaking curfew, joking about his less-than-ideal physique, and for his infamous request: “All I ask of my blockers is four seconds,” he once quipped. “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’s on-field heroics became the stuff of legend. On November 28, 1965, he shrugged off boos from the home crowd and led Washington back from a 21-0 deficit to stun the Dallas Cowboys 34-31, passing for 411 yards and three touchdowns. Moments like these cemented his status as a clutch performer and a fan favorite. His 99-yard touchdown pass to Gerry Allen in 1968 remains one of the longest in NFL history—an untoppable record that stands as a monument to his arm talent.

Even the great Vince Lombardi, who coached Washington to its first winning season in over a decade in 1969, was effusive in his praise. “Jurgensen is a great quarterback,” Lombardi said. “He hangs in there under adverse conditions. He may be the best the league has ever seen. He is the best I have seen.”

Jurgensen’s career numbers are staggering, especially considering he played in the so-called “Dead Ball Era,” before NFL rule changes opened up offenses. He retired after the 1974 season with 2,433 completions, 32,224 passing yards, 255 touchdowns, and a career passer rating of 82.6—the highest for any quarterback of his era. He topped 3,000 yards in a season five times, including twice with the Eagles, and earned five Pro Bowl selections. In 1983, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and in 2023, Washington retired his No. 9 jersey, making him just the fourth player in franchise history to receive that honor.

Jurgensen’s influence didn’t end with his playing days. He transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, first with CBS and then as part of the legendary “Sonny, Sam and Frank” radio trio alongside Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff and play-by-play man Frank Herzog. For decades, their lively banter and candid analysis became essential listening for Washington fans. Jurgensen’s astute observations, delivered with humor and honesty, made him an unofficial confidant and critic within the organization—never hesitating to question decisions or pine for the days when quarterbacks called their own plays.

Off the field, Jurgensen was cherished by his family and the wider Washington community. “We are enormously proud of his amazing life and accomplishments on the field, marked not only by a golden arm, but also a fearless spirit and intellect that earned him a place among the legends in Canton,” his family said in a statement. “While he has taken his final snap, his legacy will remain an indelible part of the city he loved and the family he built.”

Washington Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris, who grew up a fan, echoed the sentiment: “Sonny Jurgensen is, and always will be, one of the defining legends of Washington football. 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.”

Jurgensen’s passing marks the end of an era for Washington football and the NFL at large. He is survived by his wife of nearly five decades, Margo Hurt, his four sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His sister, Betty Moscoso, predeceased him on the same day two years earlier. The outpouring of tributes from fans and former colleagues alike is a testament to the indelible mark he left on the game, the city, and the hearts of all who knew him.

Though Sonny Jurgensen has taken his final snap, his golden arm and irrepressible spirit will echo through the stadiums and airwaves of Washington for generations to come. His legacy is secure: a true craftsman, a peerless passer, and, above all, a beloved son of football.