Hall of Fame QB Sonny Jurgensen Dies at 91: Celebrate the Legendary Washington & Eagles Star’s Iconic Career

Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen, the golden-armed passer who electrified the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, died Friday at age 91, his family announced through the Commanders organization. The franchise said Jurgensen passed peacefully at his home in Washington after a brief illness. Jurgensen’s death closes a remarkable NFL chapter that began as a fourth-round pick in 1957 and blossomed into one of the league’s most prolific aerial careers. The Wilmington, North Carolina native led the NFL in passing five times, broke the single-season yardage record in 1961 and retired in 1974 with 32,224 yards and 255 touchdowns—then second only to Johnny Unitas. His deep-ball duels with contemporaries such as Unitas and Fran Tarkenton helped usher pro football into the modern, pass-oriented era. After seven seasons in Philadelphia, Jurgensen was dealt to Washington in 1964 for quarterback Norm Snead and defensive back Claude Crabb, a trade still debated by fans on both sides of the NFC East rivalry. In D.C., “Sonny” became synonymous with swagger, pairing with coach George Allen and receivers Charley Taylor and Bobby Mitchell to turn RFK Stadium into a weekly showcase of long bombs and comeback wins. He capped his career with an NFC title appearance in the 1972 season and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. Tributes poured in Friday. Commanders managing partner Josh Harris called Jurgensen “the original gunslinger who defined Washington football for generations”. The Eagles hailed him as “one of the franchise’s all-time great competitors,” while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell cited Jurgensen’s “timeless influence on quarterback play.” Former teammate Billy Kilmer said, “Nobody ever threw a prettier spiral.” Beyond the field, Jurgensen enjoyed a second act spanning four decades in the broadcast booth, teaming with legendary voice Sam Huff on Washington radio broadcasts until retiring from media duties in 2019. His conversational style and penchant for predicting play calls endeared him to yet another generation of fans. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, the Jurgensens request donations to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s youth outreach programs. Fans are invited to share memories on social media with the hashtag #ThankYouSonny, ensuring the legacy of Christian Adolph “Sonny” Jurgensen III continues to inspire quarterbacks—and dreamers—well into the league’s next 100 years.