Sonny Jurgensen says goodbye after 55 years with Washington Redskins and 62 years in professional football
Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen, one of the original members of the Washington Redskins Broadcast team, and arguably one of the most well known quarterbacks of all times, is calling it quits as color man after 55 years with the organization and 62 years in professional football.
Audio file link of Sonny’s farewell to Washington, click here.
Sonny went from playing on the field to CBS Sports. Then in 1982, recognizing Sonny’s broadcast talent and his vast personal knowledge of the game, Andy Ockershausen, former WMAL Vice President and General Manager, snapped up Sonny to join Pro Football Hall of Famer Sam Huff and veteran sports announcer, Frank Herzog – the original WMAL Redskins’ announcers – to put the finishing touches on what became DC Metro’s beloved Washington Redskins’ broadcast team.
Ockershausen recently said, “It had never been done before on a radio broadcast – but what made it work was the respect and friendship that they had for each other,” ignoring the traditional thinking of “three’s a crowd” – Andy knew at the time that the chemistry was right.
The broadcast team of Sonny, Sam and Frank was the gold standard in the sports arena as the very best in the country, utilizing the skill set of each of the broadcasters. Teammate and former linebacker, Sam Huff played defense, complemented by play by play man Frank Herzog – created the original team. Sonny came on with the offensive perspective and rounded out the dream team. He was most famous for predicting the historic Redskins key plays before they happened. Probably the most memorable in the 1982 game against Dallas that put the Skins in the SuperBowl, saying a few minutes earlier that a moment was approaching where Riggo would have to take over, probably on third down.
All through the glory days of the Redskins’ NFC Championships and the 5 Super Bowl years, Sonny also co-hosted in-season Redskins TV shows with Glenn Brenner (WUSA9) and George Michael (NBC 4 TV)
Larry Michael replaced Frank Herzog in 2005 and Sam Huff bid farewell to the Washington Football broadcast fans in 2015. With Sonny leaving, the Washington Redskins broadcast team is now made up of Larry Michael, Chris Cooley, and Rick “Doc” Walker.
Sonny will be enjoying a few planned travel adventures with his wife Margo this Fall in the US and abroad.
Our Town host Andy Ockershausen and Sonny Jurgensen have been long-time friends. Andy and Sonny came together in two Our Town interviews that are available on this website:
- Sonny Jurgensen – Legendary Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Sonny Jurgensen – Legendary Washington Redskins Quarterback
OR on iTunes:
- Sonny Jurgensen – Legendary Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Sonny Jurgensen – Legendary Washington Redskins Quarterback
*Sam Huff, Frank Herzog & Sonny Jurgensen
3/5/09 “O!” WHAT A NIGHT!! – Spotlights and a red carpet greeted the more than 300 guests who came out to Bethesda’s Imagination Stage when Comcast SportsNet honored Andy Ockershausen with a special edition of Washington Post Live, taped for broadcast to be aired Sunday, March 15, on Comcast SportsNet at 9 p.m.
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