Washington Football Team History

Skip to main content Washington Commanders Team History: Washington Legends

Representing the thousands of players who've worn the Burgundy & Gold since 1932, Washington Legends celebrates those who have built our legacy and inspire our new era. Through their time on and off field, this group has left a deep impact in our community, and many former players continue to be active in business, philanthropy and more across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.

One Family, One Legacy, Forever Washington.

The NFL Legends Community was launched in 2013 to build the NFL's relationship with former players, streamline communication and serve as a central source for NFL Legends to learn about available programs, resources and benefits. The program aims to support Legends and their families in their transition to life after football. To learn more about the NFL Legends program, click below.

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Ring of Fame

The Ring of Fame includes 52 members of the most hallowed names in Washington history.

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Hall of Fame

The Washington franchise has had 32 former players, coaches and administrators inducted for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.

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90 Greatest Legends

The 90 Greatest Washington Legends present a tableau of accomplishments from the franchise's very beginnings.

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Career Stats Leaders

The top 5 Washington players in passing, rushing, receiving, scoring, and more!

View Stats Team Photos 1 / 35 2 / 35 3 / 35 4 / 35 5 / 35 6 / 35 7 / 35 8 / 35 9 / 35 10 / 35 11 / 35 12 / 35 13 / 35 14 / 35 15 / 35 16 / 35 17 / 35 18 / 35 19 / 35 20 / 35 21 / 35 22 / 35 23 / 35 24 / 35 25 / 35 26 / 35 27 / 35 28 / 35 29 / 35 30 / 35 31 / 35 32 / 35 33 / 35 34 / 35 35 / 35 Advertising This Ad will close in 3 Legends In the Community 1 / 24 Joseph Noyes 2 / 24 Joseph Noyes 3 / 24 Joseph Noyes 4 / 24 Emilee Fails/Washington Commanders 5 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 6 / 24 7 / 24 Taylor McLaughlin/Taylor McLaughlin/Washington Football Team 8 / 24 Taylor McLaughlin/Taylor McLaughlin/Washington Football Team 9 / 24 Joseph Noyes 10 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 11 / 24 Paris Malone/Washington Football Team 12 / 24 Joseph Noyes Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 13 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Joseph Noyes 14 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 15 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 16 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 17 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Joseph Noyes 18 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 19 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 20 / 24 Joseph Noyes/Washington Commanders 21 / 24 Joseph Noyes 22 / 24 Joseph Noyes 23 / 24 Joseph Noyes 24 / 24 Joseph Noyes Advertising This Ad will close in 3

Super Bowls

Super Bowl XXVI

Washington capped perhaps the greatest season in franchise history on Jan. 26, 1992. In a 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI at the Minneapolis Metrodome, Mark Rypien passed for 292 yards and two touchdowns to earn MVP honors, while a stifling defense led by Charles Mann, Wilber Marshall, Kurt Gouveia and Darrell Green limited Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas to just 13 yards on 10 carries. Washington finished 17-2 in 1991--the franchise's most wins ever in one season.

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Super Bowl XVII

It is perhaps the most famous play in Washington history: John Riggins' 43-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XVII carved him a spot in football immortality in the 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 30, 1983. It was Washington's first NFL championship in 40 years. Riggins earned MVP honors with 166 rushing yards, while the defense limited Miami to just 176 yards of total offense. It was also the first Super Bowl win for Joe Gibbs, then in only his second season as a head coach.

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Super Bowl XXII

Five possessions, 18 plays, 35 points and 356 yards--it was an offensive clinic and it all came in one magnificent quarter. In Super Bowl XXII in San Diego, Washington turned a 10-0 first-quarter deficit to John Elway and the Denver Broncos into a 35-10 halftime lead. MVP Doug Williams engineered a second-quarter offensive explosion that remains unparalleled in NFL postseason history. The decisive 42-10 victory on Jan. 31, 1988, was Washington's second championship in five years.

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Relive History

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A Look Back On Washingtons Super Bowl Appearances

Flashbacks

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Flashback: Coleman Defied the Odds

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Flashback: Kilmer's Greatest Throw

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Flashback: Stanfel Named a Hall of Fame Finalist

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Flashback: A Forgotten Washington-Philly Game

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Flashback: Petitbon Honored With Ring of Fame Induction

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Flashback: Huff Had His Revenge vs. Giants

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Flashback: An Agonizing Loss to Patriots

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Flashback: When Riggins Played For the Jets

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