RIP Sonny. I’ll share my favorite story about him from 10 or so years ago
Was at a card show in Chantilly waiting in line to get an autograph from him. Guy in front of me had an 8X10 photo of him playing the Fins that he wanted signed. When he met Sonny, he mistakenly thought the photo was from Super Bowl 7 which Sonny didn’t play in due to injury. Sonny corrected him and said photo was from 74 game at RFK and that he led a late rally to win. Guy didn’t seem to care so he took his signed photo and bailed. Then it was my turn.
I stepped up and said, “I want to hear more about the 74 game”, realizing Sonny wanted to talk more about it. He leaned back in his chair, chewed on his cigar, and proceeded to describe the game-winning TD drive play by play, complete with huddle conversations. I later looked up Washington Post accounts of the game and his recollection was perfect. Funniest note was about the guy who caught the winning TD, Larry Smith. At one point in the drive, Larry returned to the huddle and told Sonny, “I think I broke my leg”. Sonny told him, “Like hell you did. We got a game to win. You’re staying in!” Sure enough, accounts showed he did indeed break a bone in his leg before scoring winning TD.
Sonny was great at everything. Rest easy sir.
Thread Replies (8)
Former Redskin great and HOF QB Sonny Jurgensen has passed at 91.
-- great2bahokie
Feb 06, 2026 at 10:44 AM ET
great2bahokie
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02/06/26 10:44 AM ET
RIP Sonny. I’ll share my favorite story about him from 10 or so years ago
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-- Burke Hokie
Feb 06, 2026 at 01:58 PM ET
Burke Hokie
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02/06/26 01:58 PM ET
Probably the most entertaining broadcast trio "OF. ALL. TIME!"
-- TomTurkey
Feb 06, 2026 at 12:02 PM ET
TomTurkey
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02/06/26 12:02 PM ET
I wasn't even a Redskin fan but...
-- SteveInBaltimore
Feb 06, 2026 at 01:44 PM ET
SteveInBaltimore
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02/06/26 01:44 PM ET
Statement from the Commanders...**
-- great2bahokie
Feb 06, 2026 at 10:48 AM ET
great2bahokie
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02/06/26 10:48 AM ET
Sonny was great. I used to turn the tv down and listen to Sonny, Sam, and
-- No Clue
Feb 06, 2026 at 11:44 AM ET
No Clue
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02/06/26 11:44 AM ET
I do that with the Virginia Tech radio broadcast.
-- EDGEMAN
Feb 06, 2026 at 01:08 PM ET
EDGEMAN
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02/06/26 01:08 PM ET
My dad and uncle did the exact same thing with the radio, good times.**
-- HokieNoVA
Feb 06, 2026 at 12:13 PM ET
HokieNoVA
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02/06/26 12:13 PM ET