Top 50 Washington Redskins of All-Time: Where Does Your Favorite Rank?
When I was approached to do this slideshow, I felt nervous and excited all at once.
The Redskins are a franchise with so much history that surrounds them, it is not an easy assignment trying to rank them all.
For help with this assignment, I went to www.redskins.com and found the Redskins Ring of Fame for guidance. Many of the players and personnel in this slideshow are from the Ring of Fame, others have not been added yet but may be added one day.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.
Honorable Mention: Terry Allen
1 of 52
1995-1998
Allen ranks in the top running backs in Redskins history.
1043 carries
4086 yards
3.9 average
37 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Jon Jansen
2 of 52
1999-2008
Although Jansen was riddled with numerous injuries during his career, he always played well and blocked from some of the highest rushing running backs in Redskins history.
No. 50: Santana Moss
3 of 52
2005-Present
Santana Moss has been one of the Redskins top wide receivers for quite some time now and only has more time to add to his stats. As of this article, he has 391 catches wearing a Redskins uniform. That puts him only 24 away from topping Redskin great Ricky Sanders for receptions.
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No. 49: Paul Krause
4 of 52
1964-1967
Paul Krause became the NFL interception king. He currently holds the record for interceptions with 81. Krause caught his first 28 with the Washington Redskins who drafted him in the second round out of the University of Iowa.
No. 48: Chip Lohmiller
5 of 52
1988-1994
Chip Lohmiller has a career field goal percentage of 71.8.
During his Pro Bowl season of 1991, Lohmiller became the first kicker to kick four field goals of 45 yards or longer in a single game on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
That same season, he led the league in scoring (149) and outscored the entire Indianapolis Colts team (143) by himself.
No. 47: Champ Bailey
6 of 52
1999-2003
Ronald "Champ" Bailey was Washington's first-round draft pick for the 1999 draft. Coming out of Georgia, Bailey began his new career learning from two of the best defensive backs to ever play the game—Darrell Green and Deion Sanders.
Bailey went to the Pro Bowl every season he was in Washington except his rookie year.
As his contract was about to expire, he was allowed to seek out a trade, and he was the instrumental piece that brought Clinton Portis to Washington from the Denver Broncos.
No. 46: Chris Cooley
7 of 52
2004-Present
Cooooooooooollllllllleeeeeeyyyyyyy.
Arguably becoming the greatest tight end the Redskins have ever had, he is quickly falling in the footsteps of Jerry Smith.
Cooley is a Pro Bowl-worthy tight end every season barring injury.
Playing his college ball at Utah State, he led the NCAA in receptions by a tight end his senior year. He was drafted in the third round. His rookie season got off to a rocky start but ended on a good streak where he managed to catch six touchdown passes.
Cooley is the only tight end in NFL history to catch six or more touchdowns in his first four seasons.
No. 45: Stephen Davis
8 of 52
1996-2002
Stephen Davis was drafted in the fourth round out of Auburn in 1996. He shared time in the backfield with another great Redskins running back Terry Allen. He also spent quite a bit of time as the team's fullback.
He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1999, his first of two Pro Bowl years with the Redskins, with 17.
Many people remember Stephen Davis as the guy who got the bad end of a Michael Westbrook beating before he turned to MMA.
No. 44: Brig Owens
9 of 52
1966-1977
Brig Owens is the current Redskins record holder for interception return yards.
His interception and fumble return during the Redskins 72-41 win over the New York Giants in 1966 helped contribute to the highest scoring NFL game in history.
Check out the Hall of Fame website's recap of the game:
No. 43: Vince Promuto
10 of 52
1960-1970
Vince Promuto was taken in the fourth round of the draft from Holy Cross. He played Guard for the Redskins for his entire career.
He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and the only lineman to be featured on the 1964 Wheaties Stamp Kit as seen above.
No. 42: Dave Butz
11 of 52
1975-1988
"Big" Dave Butz was no understatement. Standing 6'8" tall and weighing around 320lbs, he was one of the largest men to play during his time period.
He was also one the most durable. During his 16-season career with the Cardinals and Redskins, he only missed four games.
He was a one-time Pro Bowl player in 1983 and was selected to the 1980s All Decade Team.
No. 41: London Fletcher
12 of 52
2007-Present
London Fletcher is the NFL's version of Dale Earnhardt—always at the top of his game. Recorded the most tackles from 2000-2009 with 1244 but always seemed to have the Pro Bowl escape him, being named an alternate nine times but never making the Pro Bowl.
Then as captain of Washington's defense, he earned his first Pro Bowl trip in 2010.
A very durable player, Fletcher has played in every game since his rookie season. He has only not started one game since his sophomore season.
No. 40: Gene Brito
13 of 52
1951-1953, 1955-1958
Gene Brito was offensive end turned defensive end that went to five Pro Bowls during the 50's.
Brito also hosted his own pregame show, "The Gene Brito Show," which boosted his popularity immensely. He was one of the first players to have his own show.
No. 39: Mark Rypien
14 of 52
1986-1993
Mark Rypien was Super Bowl MVP and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback that took over the reigns from Doug Williams.
Rypien caused a lot of blood pressure problems for both Redskins fans and opponents with his strong arm and constant threat of throwing deep.
According to former head coach Joe Gibbs, "Rypien's sideline throws would wobble and didn't look all that pretty. But that man could seriously throw the deep stuff."
That quote can be found in this Washington Times article: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/dec/22/20061222-124633-6818r/?page=2
No. 38: Bobby Mitchell
15 of 52
1962-1968
Bobby Mitchell was a four-time Pro Bowl selection—three times with Washington.
Mitchell came to Washington when the Redskins had traded the rights to Ernie Davis to the Cleveland Browns.
Mitchell stayed with the Redskins as part of the front office after retiring. Altogether, Mitchell spent 40 years with the organization and was more than once snubbed for the general manager position. He retired in 2003.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
No. 37: Pat Fischer
16 of 52
1968-1977
Pat Fischer ranks seventh all time in Redskins career interceptions with 27 and fourth all time with 412 career interception return yards.
His motto "get a leg up and you own him" is used today to motivate smaller defensive backs.
No. 36: Mark May
17 of 52
1981-1990
Mark May was a one-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time Super Bowl winner and member of the famous "Hogs" offensive line.
After retiring in 1993, May worked for many different networks covering games on both the professional and college level.
No. 35:Monte Coleman
18 of 52
1979-1994
Monte Coleman played 217 games for the Redskins in three decades, ranking second to Darrell Green.
His 56.5 sacks ranks fourth on the team's list all time.
Coleman played in four Super Bowls, winning three—all with the Redskins.
No. 34: Ricky Sanders
19 of 52
1986-1993
Ricky Sanders was part three of "the Posse" that included himself, Art Monk and Gary Clark. Most teams had extreme problems covering the three wide receivers because they all complimented each other's talents equally and knew their job.
Monk was the one with the reliable hands. Gary Clark was the big and physical wide receiver. Sanders was the speedy, deep threat. What a trifecta.
Sanders caught 414 passes for 5854 yards and 36 tochdowns during his tenure in D.C.
No. 33: Eddie LeBaron
20 of 52
1952-1953,1955-1959
Eddie LeBaron was one of the original, great scrambling quarterbacks. Many blame his small stature for his 50 percent completion ratio and his 104-141 TD-to-INT ratio. He still managed to make four Pro Bowls, three with the Redskins.
LeBaron was a Redskins mainstay, immediately following the departure of the great Sammy Baugh, that served as the team quarterback and punter.
Prior to the 1960 season, LeBaron was taken from the Redskins by the expansion Dallas Cowboys when Redskins owner George Preston Marshall "forgot" to move him to the protected list.
No. 32: LaVar Arrington
21 of 52
2000-2005
LaVar Arrington was drafted second overall in the 2000 draft out of Penn State. He began to draw comparisons to Giants great Lawrence Taylor when he began wearing Taylor's No. 56 and resembled him with very physical play.
Many Redskin and Cowboy fans remember his name as the man that ended Troy Aikman's career.
Known as a kind of "freelance" player, Arrington blitzed constantly and was a punishing run defender.
No. 31: Doug Williams
22 of 52
1986-1989
Doug Williams was the first African-American quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player as the Washington Redskins defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.
Williams, after retiring, turned to the front office and worked with Tampa Bay from 2004-2010. He now returns to Virginia and will be General Manager for a expansion team of the UFL in Norfolk, Virginia.
No. 30: Jerry Smith
23 of 52
1965-1977
Jerry Smith was a great receiving tight end that played his entire career with the Washington Redskins.
He holds the team record for touchdown catches by a tight end with 60.
Smith will be forever remembered as one of the first former athletes to pass away due to complications with AIDS. Smith died on October 15, 1986.
No. 29: Sean Taylor
24 of 52
2004-2007
Sean Taylor was blossoming into a hard-hitting defensive nightmare for teams not named the Washington Redskins until tragedy struck.
November 26, 2007, Taylor's Miami-area home was invaded. When he went to investigate and protect his family, he was shot in the leg. The complications of the wound eventually led to his passing the next morning.
In death, Taylor has become a figure of the franchise and a bigger role model than when he was living. The Redskins have setup a trust fund for his daughter and Taylor has a tribute page still up on www.redskins.com
No. 28: Mark Moseley
25 of 52
1974-1986
Mark Moseley is the only placekicker to ever win the Most Valuable Player award.
He was also a three-time Pro Bowler and is the Redskins all-time leading scorer—1207 points.
No. 27: Billy Kilmer
26 of 52
1971-1978
"I Like Billy"
That's what one of the buttons fans used to wear to the games said when the quarterback door was revolving in Washington back and forth between Kilmer and Sonny Jurgenson.
Known for not throwing the tightest of spirals, Kilmer was still an effective quarterback. He immediately stepped in when Jurgenson was injured and led the Redskins to a 5-0 record in 1971.
He would lead the Redskins to their first Super Bowl in 1972 against the undefeated Miami Dolphins, which the Redskins would lose 14-7.
No. 26: Brian Mitchell
27 of 52
1990-1999
Brian Mitchell is arguably the greatest return man ever.
He was a quarterback in college and was converted to running back and return man when he was drafted by the Redskins in the fifth round of the 1990 draft.
Mitchell had never returned a kickoff before. In his first preseason game in the NFL, he returned his first kickoff for a touchdown.
No. 25: Len Hauss
28 of 52
1964-1977
Len Hauss was a staple center in the middle of the Redskins offensive line for a very long time. For his steady play, he was selected to six straight Pro Bowls and got to play in the Redskins first Super Bowl.
A durable player, he started 192 consecutive games at center.
No. 24: Gary Clark
29 of 52
1985-1992
Gary Clark is a homegrown favorite. He played his college football for local James Madison University where his number was retired.
Clark was part of the "Posse" along with Art Monk and Ricky Sanders. Known for his physical play and slot catching ability, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl winner.
No. 23: Chris Hanburger
30 of 52
1965-1978
Hanburger played his entire career for the Washington Redskins and had the nickname "The Hangman." He got this nickname based on his ability to "clothes-line" tackle an opponent.
His nine Pro Bowl trips is the most in Redskins history and his 14 years with the team is the third longest tenure.
On August 25, 2010 Hanburger was nominated as a senior candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011.
No. 22: Charley Taylor
31 of 52
1964-1977
Charley Taylor was a guy that Brian Westbrook, Frank Gore and Reggie Bush would idolize.
As a rookie, he had 53 catches for 814 yards and 755 yards rushing.
In 1966, Taylor switched positions to wide receiver where he stayed till his retirement. He still ranks second on the Redskins all-time list for receptions with 649.
No. 21: Chris Samuels
32 of 52
2000-2009
After being drafted third overall in 2000, Samuels immediately became the starting left tackle and a star was born.
Even though he consistently missed time throughout his career with knee problems, he started every game he ever played in and was rewarded for his play by earning six Pro Bowl trips.
Based on doctor's orders, Samuels retired March 4, 2010 due to a childhood condition that could have risked a long term injury which had resurfaced after a October 11, 2009 game against Carolina when he was involved in a helmet-to-helmet hit.
No. 20: Jeff Bostic
33 of 52
1980-1993
An undrafted prospect out of Clemson, Bostic went on to become a member of the "Hogs" offensive line and a three-time Super Bowl Champion.
No. 19: Clinton Portis
34 of 52
2004-Present
Whether you like his media antics or not, Portis is a Redskins legend.
He currently ranks second in many rushing categories behind only John Riggins on the Redskins all-time list.
Portis is also quickly closing in on the 10,000 yard club. If he is able to make it, he will be the first Redskin since Riggins to join that elite club.
No. 18: Ken Houston
35 of 52
1973-1980
Ken Houston was a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1986.
Including some of his time playing for the Houston Oilers, he was selected to 12 straight Pro Bowls.
He was named to the NFL 1970's All-Decade Team and NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
No. 17: Larry Brown
36 of 52
1969-1976
Larry Brown was a four-time Pro Bowl running back and 1972 NFL Most Valuable Player.
Then coach Vince Lombardi noticed that Brown was talented but seemed a half step behind the snap count. Lombardi ordered hearing tests done and found that Brown's hearing was partially impaired in one ear. Lombardi ordered a device rigged in Brown's helmet so he could hear the snap count better and the rest was history.
Because of his contributions to his career, Brown lists Coach Lombardi as his greatest inspiration.
No. 16: Dexter Manley
37 of 52
1981-1989
Dexter Manley is the Redskins’ career sack leader with 97.5. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1986 when he registered 18.5 sacks. He unofficially has 103.5 sacks, but the six he recorded his rookie season were not an officially kept statistic at the time.
Manley was convicted of cocaine possession in 1995.
No. 15: Ken Harvey
38 of 52
1994-1999
Ken Harvey came to the Redskins after beginning his career with the Cardinals, and both were glad he did.
Harvey went to four straight Pro Bowls after coming to Washington and finished his career being known as one of the best blitzing linebackers of his time.
No. 14: Russ Grimm
39 of 52
1981-1991
Russ Grimm went to four straight Pro Bowls as a member of the "Hogs" during the 1980's. For his efforts, he was named to the NFL 1980's All-Decade Team.
He stayed with the Redskins after his retirement from playing till 2000 as tight end and offensive line coach. He is credited for being instrumental in the development of Redskin greats Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels.
No. 13: Charles Mann
40 of 52
1983-1993
Charles Mann is a three-time Super Bowl winner and four-time Pro Bowler. He recorded 83 sacks in his career.
He played the other end of a defensive line that featured Dave Butz and Dexter Manley.
No. 12: Sonny Jurgenson
41 of 52
1964-1974
Sonny Jurgenson has the highest completion percentage of the top five Redskins quarterbacks.
One of the great Redskin quarterbacks, Jurgenson was part of the 1972 Super Bowl team, and he ranks second in Redskins history for touchdowns passes, 179.
His Hall of Fame profile provides the following quote about his playing style:
"All I ask of my blockers is four seconds. I try to
stay on my feet and not be forced out of the
pocket. I beat people by throwing, not running.
I won't let them intimidate me into doing
something which is not the best thing I can do."
No. 11: George Allen
42 of 52
1971-1977
Coach George Allen was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
He took over the Redskins and an immediate change could be seen. In his first season as coach, the Redskins made the playoffs for the first time since 1945.
He proved it was no fluke by leading the team to the Super Bowl in 1972.
Allen and the "Over the Hill Gang" went to the playoffs five out of the seven years he coached in Washington. During this time, the "rivalry" with the Dallas Cowboys really took root among football fans hearts.
No. 10: Joe Jacoby
43 of 52
1981-1993
Joe Jacoby was an undrafted free agent that barely made the team at first. Then he became a member of the "Hogs" and was John Riggins lead blocker for his famous Super Bowl XVII run.
A three time Super Bowl winner and four straight Pro Bowl offensive lineman, Jacoby was named to the NFL 1980's All-Decade Team.
No. 9: Sam Huff
44 of 52
1964-1969
Sam Huff is simply an icon of a time long ago.
Huff was a dynamic linebacker who was traded to the Redskins from the New York Giants, and he made an immediate impact.
He made the Pro Bowl his first season in Washington and was part of a Washington defense that was ranked second in the NFL in 1965.
No. 8: George Preston Marshall
45 of 52
1932-1969
Founder of the Redskins. Do I need to elaborate more?
No. 7: Joe Theismann
46 of 52
1974-1985
When it comes down to a list of the Redskins all-time great quarterbacks, Joe Theismann is right at the top the list.
He by far leads the group in attempts, completions and yards. He is third in touchdowns behind Sammy Baugh and Sonny Jurgenson. He had a career completion percentage of 56.7.
No. 6: Darrell Green
47 of 52
1983-2002
Darrell Green is one of only two players ever to play for the same team for 20+ seasons.
He won the NFL's Fastest Man Competition four times and was the only undefeated four time winner.
He holds numerous Redskins records for games played, games started, games played at the same position and most games played by a defensive player.
He also holds numerous NFL records for most consecutive seasons with an interception, multiple oldest player interception records and the oldest person to play cornerback.
No. 5: Joe Gibbs
48 of 52
1981-1992, 2004-Present
Coach Gibbs won three Super Bowls with Redskins during his first stint. During his second stint, Gibbs' guidance helped the Redskins organization through one of their toughest times, the death of Sean Taylor, and he guided them to the playoffs that same season.
Gibbs remains with the team as a special advisor to Dan Snyder to this day.
No. 4: Art Monk
49 of 52
1980-1993
Art Monk broke about every receiving record there was to be broken in a time when the NFL was not as "pass happy" as it is today.
Monk still holds Redskin records for receptions and yards.
He once held the NFL record for receptions before Jerry Rice broke his record.
Monk was the No. 1 receiver on the "Posse" group of Washington receivers that featured Ricky Sanders and Gary Clark as well.
No. 3: John Riggins
50 of 52
1976-1979, 1981-1985
Whether you call him "The Diesel" or "Riggo" John Riggins will go down as a Redskins legend.
A member of the 10,000-yard club, Riggins physical running style was best shown during his 43-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XVII. He was named the game's most valuable player.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
He now hosts his own radio program.
No. 2: Sammy Baugh
51 of 52
1937-1952
Slingin' Sammy Baugh was a true pioneer of the forward pass and held most of the Redskins passing records for many years. He still holds the Redskins record for touchdowns with 187.
Baugh was a multi-position player who handled the quarterback, defensive back and punter duties during his tenure.
As Michael Wilbon of The Washington Post says: "He brought not just victories but thrills and ignited Washington with a passion even the worst Redskins periods can barely diminish."
No. 1: Jack Kent Cooke
52 of 52
1961-1997
Jack Kent Cooke became majority owner of the Washington Redskins in 1974, two years after their first Super Bowl trip.
During his tenure as owner, the Redskins have become one of the largest franchises in the world and have won three Super Bowls.
Before his passing, Cooke was able to finalize a deal to build a new stadium in Landover, Maryland. The new stadium would become the basis for which all NFL teams dream.
The Redskins saw their highest success during Cooke's reign and along with the Cowboys became the NFL's highest valued franchise.
Congratulations! You made it all the way to No. 1! Thank you for reading.
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