Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. As quarterback, defensive back, and punter for the Washington Redskins between 1937 and 1952, he set 13 NFL records, two of which still stood at his death. Raised in south central Texas, he was a multi sport star in high school whose ambition was to play baseball. He received a scholarship to Washington State but it fell through after a knee injury; attending Texas Christian University (TCU) instead, he played football, baseball, and basketball. In an era when the running game was dominant, he threw 39 touchdown passes, was All-America in 1935 and 1936, and was MVP of the 1937 Cotton Bowl. The Redskins made him the sixth player chosen in the 1937 NFL draft while he was also signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a third baseman, though limited playing time and lack of progress in the minors led him to choose football where he established passing as a key part of the game and became the first 'modern' quarterback. In 1937 he led the Redskins to the NFL championship then in 1945 he completed 70.33% of his passes, a record that stood until broken by Ken Anderson 1982 and is still second all-time. Baugh even appeared in a Republic serial of the 1940s called "King of the Texas Rangers". Over his career he completed 1693 of 2995 passes for 21,886 yards, was a nine time All Pro, and a five time All Star. At his demise his record for most years leading the league in passing (six) still stood as did his his five years of having the lowest percentage of interceptions. Baugh was the first defensive back to intercept four passes in one game while as a punter he retired with a 45.1 yards per kick average, still second all time. After leaving the gridiron, he coached at Hardin-Simmons University from 1955 to 1959 then in 1960 and 1961 was the first coach of the New York Titans (now, Jets). Following a single season of coaching the Houston Oilers in 1964 he retired to his Texas ranch. He never returned to Washington for Redskins' functions, was a 1963 charter inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was listed on the 75th Anniversary All NFL team; his number 33 is retired by the Redskins. He died in a nursing facility of the infirmities of advanced age.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. As quarterback, defensive back, and punter for the Washington Redskins between 1937 and 1952, he set 13 NFL records, two of which still stood at his death. Raised in south central Texas, he was a multi sport star in high school whose ambition was to play baseball. He received a scholarship to Washington State but it fell through after a knee injury; attending Texas Christian University (TCU) instead, he played football, baseball, and basketball. In an era when the running game was dominant, he threw 39 touchdown passes, was All-America in 1935 and 1936, and was MVP of the 1937 Cotton Bowl. The Redskins made him the sixth player chosen in the 1937 NFL draft while he was also signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a third baseman, though limited playing time and lack of progress in the minors led him to choose football where he established passing as a key part of the game and became the first 'modern' quarterback. In 1937 he led the Redskins to the NFL championship then in 1945 he completed 70.33% of his passes, a record that stood until broken by Ken Anderson 1982 and is still second all-time. Baugh even appeared in a Republic serial of the 1940s called "King of the Texas Rangers". Over his career he completed 1693 of 2995 passes for 21,886 yards, was a nine time All Pro, and a five time All Star. At his demise his record for most years leading the league in passing (six) still stood as did his his five years of having the lowest percentage of interceptions. Baugh was the first defensive back to intercept four passes in one game while as a punter he retired with a 45.1 yards per kick average, still second all time. After leaving the gridiron, he coached at Hardin-Simmons University from 1955 to 1959 then in 1960 and 1961 was the first coach of the New York Titans (now, Jets). Following a single season of coaching the Houston Oilers in 1964 he retired to his Texas ranch. He never returned to Washington for Redskins' functions, was a 1963 charter inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was listed on the 75th Anniversary All NFL team; his number 33 is retired by the Redskins. He died in a nursing facility of the infirmities of advanced age.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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