SUMMARY
- Sonny Jurgensen ranks 51st in NFL history with 32,224 passing yards and led the league in passing five times.
- His No. 9 jersey is retired by Washington and he is enshrined in both the Eagles and Washington Ring of Fame.
- Jurgensen’s career highlights include a 1960 NFL Championship with the Eagles and multiple All Pro selections.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen, one of the NFL’s most prolific quarterbacks, has died at the age of 91, his family announced Friday.
Jurgensen spent 18 seasons in the league, earning accolades with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Jurgensen’s passing marks the loss of a transformative figure in professional football, remembered for his precision passing and leadership on the field.
His career spanned from 1957 to 1974, bridging the NFL’s early modern era and shaping quarterback play for generations.
Drafted in the fourth round by Philadelphia in 1957 from Duke University, Jurgensen backed up Norm Van Brocklin during the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship.
He became the starting quarterback in 1961, earning first team All Pro honors, and was later traded to Washington in 1964, where he played until 1974.
“Jurgensen’s career exemplifies consistency and elite quarterback skill,” said Michael MacCambridge, NFL historian and author. “His passing statistics and leadership set benchmarks still referenced today.”
Sports analyst John Clayton of ESPN added, “Few quarterbacks have maintained peak performance across nearly two decades. Jurgensen’s influence extends beyond stats to the evolution of the position itself.”
“I grew up watching Sonny dissect defenses like a chess master,” said former teammate Charley Taylor. Washington team spokesperson Lisa Rice said, “Sonny’s legacy is woven into the fabric of our franchise and the NFL.”
NFL historians and franchises are likely to continue honoring Jurgensen through Hall of Fame exhibits, tributes, and educational content highlighting his career’s historical impact.
Sonny Jurgensen’s death closes a chapter in NFL history, leaving a benchmark for quarterback excellence and a legacy celebrated by players, teams, and fans alike.
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