Sonny Jurgensen, NFL Hall of Fame QB, Dies At Age 91

Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen has died at the age of 91.

Jurgensen's family issued a statement via the Washington Commanders announcing the news:

Josh Harris, the Commanders managing partner, and Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter also issued statements about Jurgensen:

Jurgensen entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. He spent most of his four seasons as a backup, winning an NFL championship in 1960.

After Norm Van Brocklin's retirement in 1961, Jurgensen took over as Philadelphia's starting quarterback. He set an NFL record with 3,723 passing yards and tied the league record with 32 passing touchdowns in his first season as a starter.

Jurgensen would spend two more seasons with the Eagles before getting traded to Washington, where he played out the final 11 years of his career. He led the league in passing yards three times and touchdowns once during that stretch.

The Duke alum ranks second in Commanders franchise history in passing yards (22,585), passing touchdowns (179) and victories (52). He was named to the All-Pro team three times, including a first-team selection with the Eagles in 1961.

Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1983. He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame four years later. His No. 9 jersey was retired by the Commanders during a ceremony in Week 18 of the 2022 season against the Dallas Cowboys.