Pro Football Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh dies

[Meg 368]

I imagine many of you haven't heard of Sammy Baugh.   I see his name all the time at FedEx field in the ring of honor.   He was the last surviving member of the original inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh dies

Mercury News Wire Services

Article Launched: 12/17/2008 07:28:59 PM PST

Slingin' Sammy Baugh, the ultimate three-way threat who revolutionized the use of the forward pass as a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Washington Redskins, died Wednesday. He was 94.

Baugh died at Fisher County Hospital in Rotan, Texas, his son said. David Baugh said his father had battled Alzheimer's disease and dementia for several years and recently had been ill with kidney problems, low blood pressure and double pneumonia.

Baugh was the last surviving member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's inaugural class. After starring at Texas Christian University, he played with the Redskins in 1937-52.

Baugh was the best all-around player in an era when such versatility was essential. In 1943, he led the league in passing, punting and defensive interceptions. In one game, he threw four touchdown passes and intercepted four passes as well. He threw six touchdowns passes in a game twice. His 51.4-yard punting average in 1940 is an NFL record.

"There's nobody any better than Sam Baugh was in pro football," Hall of Fame receiver Don Maynard said in 2002. "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?' "

When Baugh entered the NFL, the forward pass was used mostly in desperate situations. But Baugh turned the pass into a regular feature of the offense.

Baugh guided the Redskins to five title games and two championships. He holds Redskins records for career touchdown passes (187) and completion percentage in a season (70.3). His 31 interceptions on defense are third on the team's career list.

"Sammy Baugh embodied all we aspire to at the Washington Redskins," team owner Dan Snyder said.

Eddie LeBaron, who took over as Washington's quarterback in Baugh's last season, said in 2002: "He was amazing, just tremendously accurate. He could always find a way to throw it off balance. I've seen him throw the ball overarm, sidearm and underarm and complete them."

In 2002, Baugh said of modern-day football: "I'll watch it all day long. I like the football they play. They got bigger boys, and they've also got these speed merchants that we didn't have in those days. I'd love to be quarterback this day and time." quote>

[MrCinatit 30]

It is always quite tough when a pure legend passes away, especially a guy like Baugh (though, I am guilty to admit, I did not know he was still around).

[patriots_1228 51]

maybe we should put this in the ST NFL thread?

Sammy Baugh will be missed. he was indeed an NFL legend and the game wouldnt be the same today with out him.

[Easy Bakes 253]

An amazing career. Still holds several Redskins passing records.