Two Old School NFL Hall of Famers - Flanker Tommy McDonald and quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. McDonald played 12 seasons in the NFL (7 in Philadelphia) and finished with 495 catches. Jurgensen played 18 seasons (7 as well with the Eagles), passed for 255 touchdowns and over 32,000 yards.
Sonny Jurgensen led the NFL in passing yards five times during the 1960s and 1970s, finishing his career with over 32,000 yards at a time when the league was far more run-heavy than today.
In 1961, Sonny Jurgensen took over as the Eagles starting quarterback and set a new NFL Passing Records of 3723 Passing Yards and 32 Touchdown Passes. Here he is setting up to throw against Bob Lilly and the Dallas Cowboys defense - we think in 1961 - where Sonny threw for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns. Eagle #30 is fullback Theron Sapp.
Taken from a page of a 1968 Sports magazine - Sonny Jurgensen was the league's to quarterback for the 1967 NFL season. His rating of 87.3 was best too. Unfortunately, the redskins finished with a 5-6-3 record, third behind Dallas and Philadelphia.
Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen shows offs his Hall of Fame Physique. But, like he said, he didn't throw with his stomach.
![Sonny Jurgensen goes does under a heap of Cowboys in some 1960s-NFL action. George Andrie, Bob Lilly and #77, [could be] Jim Colvin.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sonny-jurgenson-sacked-bob-lilly-george-andrie-dallas-cowboys-defense.webp)
Sonny Jurgensen goes does under a heap of Cowboys in some 1960s-NFL action. George Andrie, Bob Lilly and #77, [could be] Jim Colvin.
Redskins Great Sonny Jurgensen in the heat of the moment against Dallas. Redskin legend Len Hauss is on the left while Cowboys lineman George Andrie is on the right.
Sonny Jurgensen as a young quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles, circa 1961. Following the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin after the 1960 season, Jurgensen found himself competing for the Eagles' starting quarterback position. This photograph accompanied a 1961 magazine article that questioned whether the young quarterback had what it takes to fill Van Brocklin's shoes and lead the team.
Sonny Jurgensen, Washington Redskins quarterback gets the pass away in time as Bob Lilly of the Dallas Cowboys presses the issue. In 18 NFL seasons Jurgensen had 255 touchdown passes. Lilly, in 14 seasons, is credited "unofficially" with 95½ sacks.
Redskin Sonny Jurgensen gets the ball away none-to-soon against a Cardinal rush. In 1966 Jurgensen led the NFL with 254 passing attempts, 436 completions and 3209 passing yards. Pictured here are Redskin lineman and Len Hauss and Vince Promuto while the Cardinals are Don Brumm, Joe Robb, Dave Long with linebacker Dale Meinert in the background.
Sonny Jurgensen leads the Philadelphia Eagle offense. The Eagles 4th round pick out of Duke in 1957 Jurgensen became their full-time starter in 1961 as he led the NFL in Passing Yards and Touchdowns. Today, over 60 years later, he still ranks #9 on the Eagles All-Time Career Passing Yards list and #8 for All-Time Passing Touchdowns.
Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen is considered by many to be the best quarterback of his time - During his 18-year career lead the NFL in pass completions 4 times, passing yards 5 times, passing touchdowns twice and in the categories of completion percentage, yards-per-attempt and passer rating was the league's best once in each. The only metric he didn't excel was victories. His lifetime record ended up 69 wins to 71 losses and 7 ties.
Mean Joe Greene, a rookie in 1969 gets through and dumps Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Behind Greene is Steelers veteran Ben McGee of Jackson State. Greene was Pittsburgh's best at sacking the quarterback in 1969 with 9½ sacks.
Redskins great Sonny Jurgensen
Redskins Head Coach Otto Graham speaks with his quarterback Sonny Jurgensen on the sidelines around 1966. Graham coached Washington from 1966 to 1968 and while Jurgensen was the NFL's top passer 2 of those years, the Redskins managed a total of just 17 wins during that time.
Cowboys-Eagles early 1960s. Running back Clarence goes wide on Chuck Howley and the Dallas Cowboys defense. Cowboy Bob Lilly as well as Eagle Sonny Jurgensen can be seen the background, Could that be Chuck Bednarik blocking Howley?
Rookie Charley Taylor gets outside of New York Giant defenders Jim Katcavage (#75) and John LoVetere (#76). #9 in the back is Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.
Just 3 Cowboys between him and his receiver! Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen tries to get the pass over Dallas defenders Dave Edwards (#52), Lee Roy Jordan (#55) & Bob Lilly (#74).
Charley Taylor makes one of his 8 touchdown catches he had in 1969. Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen with Pro Bowl center Len Hauss are seen in the background.
Redskin Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen comes under some heat from Cowboys defender Georeg Andrie
One of the top quarterbacks of his day.
Redskin QB Sonny Jurgensen hangs in the pocket under pressure from the Chicago Bears defense. Bear #55 is longtime linebacker Doug Buffone. We think this picture is from around 1968 and the Bear in the background #86, Loyd Phillips.
Sonny Jurgensen - from the Redskins win over the Steelers in 1969. Former Packers head coach Vince Lombardi had just taken over the Redskins and led them to one of their best seasons since the mid 1950s. One of the NFL's top passers in 1969 Jurgensen was named to the Pro Bowl.
Also seen above are #31 - Redskins running back Charlie Harraway & #60 - Steelers veteran defensive lineman Ben McGee.
One of the greatest quarterbacks of his time - Sonny Jurgensen lines up behind 14-year Pro Bowl center Len Hauss
In 1969 his 3102 yards was tops among NFL passers. His 62% percentage completion rate was the best as well.
Surrounded by Colts defenders Bubba Smith (#78), Roy Hilton (#85) & Billy Ray Smith (#74) Redskins QB Sonny Jurgensen gets the pass off from deep in own territory. From 1969 - despite a 339-yard, 2-touchdown day by Jurgensen his Redskins were dominated by Baltimore 41-17.
From around 1965 - Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl defensive end Bill Glass gets through to put some pressure on Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Redskin #74 looks like Jim Snowden.
Eagles Tommy McDonald (#25) and Sonny Jurgensen (#9) take a celebration photo after a game-winning score against the Washington Redskins in 1961. Down 20-24 Jurgensen hit McDonald with a 41-yard strike with 16 seconds left to give Philadelphia a 27-24 win.
One of the NFL's top passers of the early 1960s - as an Eagle he was tops in passing yardage 1961 and 1962 as well as passing touchdowns in 1962.
After his success with Green Bay in the 1960s, head coach took over the Washington Redskins as Head Coach and General Manager in 1969. He led them to their first winning season in almost 20 years with a 7-5-2 record. Sadly he was diagnosed with colon cancer before the start of the 1970 season and passed away September of that year.
Here he is seen with Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Lombardi described Jurgensen as "the best he's ever seen".
Members of the Redskin offensive line manage to hold off on coming Cowboys great Bob Lilly (#74) long enough for quarterback Sonny Jurgensen to get the pass off in 1967 Redskins-Cowboys action.
With the help of a Redskins lineman, quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (#9) eludes the advances of Eagles defensive end Mel Tom (#58).
Eagles QB Sonny Jurgensen (#9) gets some playing time against the Steelers during Philadelphia's 1960 NFL Title season. Pictured above are, Eagles - Halfback Tim Brown (#22), fullback Theo Sapp (# 30), Jurgensen (#9), guard Jerry Huth (#65), center Chuck Bednarik (#60) & guard John Wittenborn (#52). On the Steeleers defense are Joe Krupa (#71) and Joe Lewis (#75)
Eagles fullback Clarence Peaks is caught between 2 Giants as big Rosey Grier (#76) and Dick Modzelewski (#77) put the heat on quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (#9).
Eagles QB Sonny Jurgensen (#9) gets sandwiched between Giants lineman Jim Katcavage (#75) & Andy Robustelli (#81). In 1961, the season this picture is from, all 3 men made the Pro Bowl while Katcavage and Jurgensen were named All Pro.
Philadelphia's 4th round pick from Duke in 1957 he played 7 seasons for the Eagles. Here he is around 1961 when he led the NFL with 24 interceptions. He made up for that dubious honor by also leading the league with 32 touchdown passes, 3723 passing yards and making the All-Pro Team.
The NFL's top quarterback in 1961 for passing yards and passing touchdowns - 3723 yards (an NFL record at the time) and 32 touchdowns. Named All-Pro.
Sonny Jurgensen of the Washington Redskins is brought down by Cleveland Browns veteran defensive end Bill Glass.
Redskins Quarterbacks Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen with Pro Bowl center Len Hauss
A scene from the end of the October 8, 1967 confrontation between the Cowboys and Redskins that ended in a 17-14 Cowboys win. With 1:10 left in the game Meredith took over and drove Dallas 71 yards for the game winning drive. On 4th down, he connected with Dan Reeves as Reeves swung out of the backfield and galloped 36 yards for the game-winning score.
From the 1969 season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite losing to the Cowboys he led the Redskins to one of their best seasons in 8 years. 7 victories as well as All-Pro Honors while leading the NFL in passing attempts, completions and passing yards. The Redskin lineman here look like Len Hauss (#56) & Walt Rock (#76).
1969 Season Totals:
| Year |
Age |
QBrec |
Cmp |
Att |
Cmp% |
Yds |
TD |
TD% |
Int |
Int% |
Long |
AY/A |
Y/G |
Rate |
Sacked |
|
1969 |
35 |
7-5-2 |
274 |
442 |
62.0 |
3102 |
22 |
5.0 |
15 |
3.4 |
88 |
6.5 |
221.6 |
85.4 |
40 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Otto Graham was a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 to 1955. During that period he led the Browns to 7 League Titles between the AAFC and the NFL. In his three years as head coach of the Washington Redskins (1966-1968), he wasn't so successful. Here he is with Sonny Jurgensen. Jurgensen is also enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Racked up a career total of 50 interceptions. Here he returns one as linebacker Joe Schmidt puts Eagle quarterback Sonny Jurgensen to the ground with a ferocious block.
A 5-time Pro Bowler Sonny Jurgensen played 11 seasons with Washington passing for over 22,500 yards and 179 touchdowns. He also completed 58% of 3155 passes as a Redskin.
A sketch of the heralded Redskin quarterback in the 1966 issue of Pro Football Almanac
Under pressure from Cowboys George Andre (#66) and Bob Lily (#74) the Redskin quarterback sets up to pass in a December 1966 game where he was 18 of 33 as he passed for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also drove the Washington offense down the field to a game-winning Charlie Gogolak field goal for a 34-31 victory.
Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (#9) gets set behind his offensive line as runningbacks Larry Brown (#43) and Charley Harraway (#31) move into position.
Lamar Lundy (#85) leads a Los Angeles Rams pass rush against Sonny Juregensen and the Washington Redskins.
Redskin Legend Sonny Jurgensen, 1964-1974
Washington_Redskin_QB_Sonny_Jorgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
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Veteran quarterback of 18 NFL seasons. Made the Pro Bowl 5 times and passed for over 32,000 yards. Played for Philadelphia and Washington.
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
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Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
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Saints defender Doug Atkins closes in on Redskin Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen
Might be the greatest passer of all time
That is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Greatest pure passer ever????
Loved watching sonny play when he was with the Redskins. He was great
Sonny was my favorite quarterback of all time , he is the best quarterback the Redskins has ever had !!
His death leaves a void in millions of us older pro football fans…..remembering how excited I’d get when chances came up to see him on TV! …and when I couldn’t , radio gave me the same goose bumps. Sincerest condolences to his family and all who loved his swingin’ style…but ALL FOOTBALL when the whistle sounded.