Ray Flaherty
Inducted:
1976
Player Stats
6-0, 190lb (183cm, 86kg)
Born:
September 1, 1903
Lamont, Washington, U.S.
Died:
July 19, 1994
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
Position:
Offensive End
Coach
College:
Washington State (1922)
Gonzaga (1923–1925)
Ray Flaherty was a standout player and visionary coach whose impact on the NFL helped shape the game’s early decades. As a sure-handed end for the New York Giants in the 1930s, Flaherty earned All-Pro honors for his precise route running and dependable catching ability. But it was on the sidelines where he truly left his mark. As head coach of the Washington Redskins from 1936 to 1942, Flaherty led the team to two NFL championships and introduced innovative tactics—most notably, the use of the screen pass, which revolutionized offensive strategy.
Under his leadership, Washington became a powerhouse, highlighted by dominant performances from stars like Sammy Baugh. Flaherty’s teams were known for discipline, balance, and preparation. His coaching record remains one of the best in league history, and his influence is still seen in the modern passing game. Ray Flaherty was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976 for his dual legacy as a player and coach.
Flaherty's Awards and Honors
- NFL champion (1934)
- 7× First-team All-Pro (1926–1929, 1932–1934)
- Third-team All-Pro (1931)
- 2× NFL champion (1937, 1942)
- Washington Commanders 90 Greatest
NFL Records
- NFL receptions leader (1932)
- NFL receiving yards leader (1932)
- NFL receiving touchdowns leader (1932)
NFL Teams
As a player:
Los Angeles Wildcats (1926)
New York Yankees (1927–1928)
New York Giants (1929; 1931–1935)
As a coach:
Gonzaga (1930)
Boston / Washington Redskins (1936–1942)
New York Yankees (1946–1948)
Chicago Hornets (1949)
Number Worn:
20, 11, 17, 6, 1
NFL Stats
Games Played:
64
All-Pro Selections:
4× (1928, 1929, 1931, 1932)
Touchdowns (Receiving):
20+
Coaching Career Record:
80–37–5
NFL Championships:
2 (1937, 1942)
Winning Percentage:
.678