Sonny Jurgensen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who thrilled fans with his cannon arm during an iconic career with the Washington franchise, passed away at age 91. The news was confirmed by his family on Friday (February 6), prompting an outpouring of condolences from the NFL community.
Washington Commanders’ heartfelt post
“Sonny Jurgensen is, and always will be, one of the defining legends of Washington football,” the team stated. “He was a giant of the game, and a beloved part of our team’s identity. Our hearts and prayers are with Sonny’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him.”
From North Carolina roots to NFL stardom
Christian Adolph “Sonny” Jurgensen III was born August 23, 1934, in Wilmington, North Carolina. A multi-talented athlete, he starred at Duke University as quarterback, defensive back, and punter, earning first-team All-ACC honors twice and contributing to conference championships plus a victory in the 1955 Orange Bowl.
Selected 43rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1957 NFL Draft, Jurgensen began as a backup. He played a role in the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship triumph over Green Bay. In 1961, he took over as a starter and exploded for an NFL-record 3,723 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, tying Johnny Unitas’ single-season mark, earning First-Team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl berth.
A transformative trade to Washington Commanders
In a franchise-altering 1964 trade, Jurgensen moved to Washington Commanders in exchange for Norm Snead and Claude Crabb.
He quickly became a star in the capital, earning Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors in his debut season. Over 11 years with Washington, Jurgensen led the NFL in passing yards three times (1966, 1967, 1969), touchdown passes once (1967), and completion percentage (1970). He amassed 32,224 yards, 255 touchdowns, 2,433 completions, and five 3,000-yard seasons while earning a spot on the 1960s All-Decade Team.
Memorable performances and team impact
Jurgensen delivered unforgettable moments, including a 411-yard comeback from 21-0 down against Dallas in 1965 for a 34-31 win. Under Vince Lombardi in 1969, he helped Washington post a 7-5-2 record, its strongest since 1955.
The 1970s featured a friendly quarterback competition with Billy Kilmer that split fan loyalties but strengthened their lifelong friendship. Jurgensen contributed to the 1972 Super Bowl run, though Washington fell to Miami. Retiring at 40 in 1974, he claimed his third passing title with a career passer rating of 82.62, the highest of the pre-1978 era.
Broadcasting legacy and lasting honors
After retiring, Jurgensen became a beloved broadcaster, first with CBS and then alongside Sam Huff and Frank Herzog for 38 seasons until 2019. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1983), Washington Ring of Fame, Eagles Hall of Fame, and North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. In 2023, the team retired his No. 9 jersey.
Sonny Jurgensen leaves behind wife Margo Hurt, four sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His precision, personality, and passion remain etched in NFL history.
