Sonny Jurgensen
Inducted:
1983
Player Stats
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
202 lb (92 kg)
Born:
August 23, 1934
Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
Position:
Quarterback
College:
Duke (1953–1956)
Sonny Jurgensen was one of the most precise and prolific passers of his era, known for his remarkable accuracy, deep-ball touch, and football intelligence. Born on August 23, 1934, he began his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957 before becoming a Washington Redskins legend. Over 18 seasons, he amassed 32,224 passing yards and 255 touchdowns, leading the league in passing five times.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Jurgensen was celebrated for his strong arm and cool leadership under pressure. His partnership with top receivers and ability to dissect defenses made him one of the defining quarterbacks of the 1960s. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, he remains an enduring symbol of precision and poise in professional football.
Jurgensen's Awards and Honors
- NFL champion (1960)
- First-team All-Pro (1961)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1966, 1967, 1969)
- 5× Pro Bowl (1961, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969)
- 5× NFL passing yards leader (1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1969)
- 2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1961, 1967)
NFL Records
- One of the first quarterbacks to surpass 30,000 career passing yards
- Held multiple franchise passing records for both Philadelphia and Washington
- Renowned for one of the most accurate and powerful throwing arms in NFL history
NFL Teams
Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1974)
NFL Draft:
1957: 4th round, 43rd overall pick
Philadelphia Eagles
Number Worn:
9
NFL Stats
Seasons:
18 (1957–1974)
Games Played:
218
Game Started:
147
Pass attempts:
4,262
Pass completions:
2,433
Completion percentage:
57.1%
TD–INT:
255–189
Passing yards:
32,224
Passer rating:
82.6