Remembering Sonny Jurgensen: A Gunslinger Ahead of His Time
Sonny Jurgensen, the Hall of Fame quarterback known for his fearless arm and flair for the dramatic, passed away Friday at the age of 91. His family shared the news through the Washington Commanders, the team where he left his most lasting legacy. But before he became a D.C. icon, Jurgensen first made his mark in Philadelphia - and in many ways, he helped redefine what the quarterback position could be.
Drafted in the fourth round by the Eagles in 1957, Jurgensen spent his early years in the NFL as an understudy to Norm Van Brocklin. That meant watching from the sidelines during the Eagles' 1960 championship run, a season that saw Van Brocklin lead the team to glory. But when Van Brocklin retired, the Eagles turned the keys over to Jurgensen - and he wasted no time showing he was ready to drive.
In 1961, his first season as a starter, Jurgensen lit up the league with 32 touchdown passes - a single-season franchise record that stood for over half a century until Carson Wentz edged it by one in 2017. That year, Jurgensen earned his first Pro Bowl nod and the only first-team All-Pro selection of his career. It was clear the Eagles had something special on their hands.
But Jurgensen wasn’t just prolific - he was bold. Sometimes that meant big plays.
Other times, it meant turnovers. He threw 24 interceptions in that 1961 season, then followed it with 26 more in 1962.
Both still stand as franchise records for most picks in a season - a reminder that with Jurgensen, you got the full gunslinger experience. He was willing to take risks few others dared, and in an era where the NFL was still largely run-first and conservative, that made him a rare breed.
In fact, Jurgensen’s style was so unorthodox for the time that it helped push the game forward. He was slinging it deep when most quarterbacks were playing it safe.
He even pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping plays of the early ‘60s - a behind-the-back pass in the 1961 College All-Star Game. Yes, behind the back.
In a live football game.
Despite the interceptions, Jurgensen still led the NFL in passing yards in both 1961 and 1962, racking up 3,723 and 3,261 yards, respectively. Over his seven seasons in Philadelphia, he totaled 9,639 passing yards - good for ninth all-time in Eagles history. And keep in mind, this was an era when 3,000-yard seasons were rare air.
Before the 1964 season, the Eagles traded Jurgensen to Washington, where his career - and his legend - truly took off. Over the next 11 seasons, he led the league in passing three more times (1966, 1967, and 1969), made four additional Pro Bowls, and cemented his place among the all-time greats. His smooth throwing motion, quick release, and fearless mentality made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
In 1983, Jurgensen’s career was immortalized with a bronze bust in Canton, as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was a fitting tribute for a player who helped usher in the modern passing game - one deep ball at a time.
Sonny Jurgensen wasn’t just a quarterback. He was a trailblazer.
A showman. A risk-taker.
And above all, a player who made the NFL a little more exciting every time he took the field.
Rest easy, Sonny. The league you helped shape won’t forget you.