RIP #9 & Thanks for the Memories

My favorite Jurgy experience... Blade and I made a memorable trip to the Hall of Fame game in Canton when Gibbs came back. We were walking around before the game and saw Jurgy come out of a trailer with a big stogie in his mouth. I brought my camera up to get a shot and he yelled at me...

'You can take my picture but I ain't signing SHIT!'

I told him that just made me love him more.

RIP #9
 
Whether you are old enough to have seen him play, or like most of us, old enough to hear him impart his wisdom on the radio during games, or perhaps you’ve only heard the stories and never seen or heard the man, the one thing you should know is this man is a legend. I am in the second group and got to hear him on the radio a lot. Growing up in the 80s, driving around to soccer games, traveling to and from family gatherings, if the Redskins were on, the radio was on. My dad preferred hearing the radio guys over the TV guys, so when we were at home, he would turn down the TV and listen to the radio. Monday night games, I’d have the radio on in my room listening to the game as I lay in bed trying to get to sleep. Even as a kid, one thing I recognized was that Sonny knew the game. He could see the plays before they happened. People were amazed when Romo got his job at CBS and would “predict” plays. To those of us who grew up listening to Sonny, this wasn’t anything new. This was what we heard for many many years. We heard from a better QB and a better analyst who could routinely see the plays before they developed. And his ability to see that from the booth didn’t run out after a few years. He was still doing it 30 years after his playing days. He taught many of us the game of football, and he did it in a humble and sometimes understated way.

Living to 91 was an amazing run as a man, but beyond amazing as a football player. Those guys don’t live long due to what they put their bodies through, yet he made it to an age most do not.

Rest in peace Sonny, a true Redskins legend.
 
Redskin through and through, nice guy as well
 
My son and I went to the playoff game in Seattle in 2005. The night before the game we went to the team’s hotel to see what was up and with a new football for potential autograph possibilities.

Sonny was holding court in a corner of the lobby. My son hesitatingly approached him and asked politely for his autograph. He was very cordial and accommodating and signed the ball with his HOF signature.
 
Boone said:
My favorite Jurgy experience... Blade and I made a memorable trip to the Hall of Fame game in Canton when Gibbs came back. We were walking around before the game and saw Jurgy come out of a trailer with a big stogie in his mouth. I brought my camera up to get a shot and he yelled at me...

'You can take my picture but I ain't signing SHIT!'

I told him that just made me love him more.

RIP #9
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Your story reminds me of my own encounters with #9. The first one was at the Park during the last Super Bowl run. I asked some of the staff if they still had any publicity pics of Sonny, and someone dug one up for me. A little while later Mom was doing something for Mr Cooke and I bumped into JKC in his office as he was getting ready to go to the practice field. I asked if he knew Sonny was around and he said he was in the building somewhere. As it turned out, he was right outside in the foyer talking to some people. I stood there until he got done talking and walked up and said, "Mr Jurgeson, my Dad is a huge fan of yours, would you mind signing this picture for him?". Without a word, he snatched it out of my hand, scribbled something on it and walked away. I thought, "Man, what a dick". A little while later, we all gathered up and went out to the practice field. It was misty and shitty and cold. Mr Cooke said to someone, "Get these people some chairs and an unbrella" and me and Mrs Sarge sat and watched practice. As I got settled in my nice, comfy chair and under the big ol umbrella, for some reason I turned around and looked back toward the office. There, standing in the frame of the door trying to stay dry and warm, was Sonny. I waived :). Here I am sitting next to the team owner and Sonny was having to try and find some place dry :). Seemed karma was in play that day. Now, a few years later, I bumped into him in Frostburg. He and Riggo were walking down a pathway and as they approached, they slowed up and Sonny said, "I remember you. (Which was shocking). Your Mom works in the office for Mr Cooke". I said "Yes Sir" and I asked Riggo if he would sign my hat, as it was the only thing I had for him to sign. Riggo gladly signed it and as soon he did, Sonny reached in, signed it, winked and they walked away. Not such a bad dude after all. RIP Sonny. You were legend.
 
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I got lucky enough to spend a little time with Sonny. Covering the Tampa game with Art, I just finished chow and was headed back from the rest room to find somebody in my seat.... Sonny. Got to listen to him tell stories for over an hour before he had to head to the broadcast booth. A morning I'll never forget.... much gratitude to those who made it possible for me to be there...
 
Boone said:
My favorite Jurgy experience... Blade and I made a memorable trip to the Hall of Fame game in Canton when Gibbs came back. We were walking around before the game and saw Jurgy come out of a trailer with a big stogie in his mouth. I brought my camera up to get a shot and he yelled at me...

'You can take my picture but I ain't signing SHIT!'

I told him that just made me love him more.

RIP #9
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That is hilarious and perfect reaction by you. My sister jmsully4 saw him at a restaurant about 10 years ago. She said he was very nice and stopped for a picture together.

FB_IMG_1736479498424.jpeg
 
I caught the final chapter of Sonny's playing career. Injuries, I like Sonny v I like Billy, and a few stellar moments. Like most everyone else, I was intoxicated by his affable, gregarious personality. Nobody else ever had a more appropriate nickname.

Retirement came but he started working at Channel 9 up the street. That led to Sonny, Sam, & Frank, Redskins Report, and other endeavors which kept him current. So much so, that I dubbed him Redskin Emeritus.

As Super Bowl XVII approached, I was nervous we would lose. Memories of VII were still fresh. But there was Sonny on tv, calmly and confidently explaining how the Redskins would indeed win. He was right.

Sonny- thank you for your time and service to our team and my hometown. You gave us thrills and a lot of laughs too. You made us better.

RIP Redskin Emeritus

Hail to the Redskins
 
One of the first games I remember from RFK in 1974 was being with my father and being demonstrably upset that the Redskins were being beaten at home by the New York Giants, 24-3 in the third quarter.

Allen sat Kilmer before the start of the fourth quarter and #9 came into the game and everyone stood up.

A quarter later the Redskins had come all the way back and won the game 27-24 late.

That was my most lasting memory of Sonny Jurgensen as a player. My father said I should have seen him in his prime throw the ball.

But what's most amazing is his post-playing career which is for many younger fans (at the time) what defined him.

He refused to ever pick against the Redskins even though at times the odds were long in particular games and always brought an atmosphere of fun and energy to the broadcasts even when Sam Huff at times would get down a bit on the team.

His visits to Children's Hospital were also notable as he went and brought things for the kids and staff but never had a news crew hanging around to tape it like a lot of other celebrities.

Rest in Peace Sonny.
 
We moved to Sterling Park when I was 7, sort of in the middle of the Sonny v. Billy thang. I was a Sonny fan.
My stepbrother who passed his 17 Kilmer jersey to me passed away today. Mom and I talked about all of that.
Just been a really weird SB weekend.
 
Kel Varnsen said:
Whether you are old enough to have seen him play, or like most of us, old enough to hear him impart his wisdom on the radio during games, or perhaps you’ve only heard the stories and never seen or heard the man, the one thing you should know is this man is a legend. I am in the second group and got to hear him on the radio a lot. Growing up in the 80s, driving around to soccer games, traveling to and from family gatherings, if the Redskins were on, the radio was on. My dad preferred hearing the radio guys over the TV guys, so when we were at home, he would turn down the TV and listen to the radio. Monday night games, I’d have the radio on in my room listening to the game as I lay in bed trying to get to sleep. Even as a kid, one thing I recognized was that Sonny knew the game. He could see the plays before they happened. People were amazed when Romo got his job at CBS and would “predict” plays. To those of us who grew up listening to Sonny, this wasn’t anything new. This was what we heard for many many years. We heard from a better QB and a better analyst who could routinely see the plays before they developed. And his ability to see that from the booth didn’t run out after a few years. He was still doing it 30 years after his playing days.
Click to expand...

Bulldog said:
But what's most amazing is his post-playing career which is for many younger fans (at the time) what defined him.
Click to expand...

Sonny, Sam, and Frank were the voices of the Redskins during my formative years. My family also turned the TV down to listen to them during the glory days. They are legendary.

Have a listen to this:

 
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I knew Sonny the broadcaster much more than Sonny the quarterback. Sonny, Sam, and Frank were the soundtrack to my Redskins youth.

Thank you Sonny for your contributions to our team both on and off the field, and most importantly from all accounts being a great decent man.

You will be missed Legend.
 
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