Legendary Washington Redskins quarterback “Slingin’” Sammy Baugh died Wednesday night at the age of 94.
Sammy Baugh was the last surviving member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of 1963.
After starring at TCU, “Slingin’ Sammy” played with the Redskins from 1937 to 1952, leading them to the NFL title in his rookie season and again in 1942.
Baugh was the best all-around player in an era when versatility was essential. In 1943, he led the league in passing, punting and interceptions. In one game, he threw four touchdowns and also intercepted four passes. He threw six touchdowns passes in a game twice. His 51.4-yard punting average in 1940 remains the NFL record.
“There’s nobody any better than Sam Baugh was in pro football,” Don Maynard, a fellow West Texas Hall of Famer who played for Baugh, said in a 2002 interview. “When I see somebody picking the greatest player around, to me, if they didn’t go both ways, they don’t really deserve to be nominated. I always ask, ‘Well, how’d he do on defense? How was his punting?'”
I never saw Sammy Baugh play, but I do know he was one of the many great players that paved the way for current athletes. R.I.P. Sammy.
