TK Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 For Immediate Release August 8, 2019 STATEMENT BY SONNY JURGENSEN ON RETIREMENT: "I've decided to hang up my headphones and my clipboard. It's been a great 55 years in Washington. I want to thank our Redskin fans for being so generous to me and our teams, we owe it all to you. I've had so many wonderful memories of thousands of teammates I've played with and talked about during my years in radio and television in Washington D.C. The relationships with coaches and executives over the 50 years like Bill McPeak, Otto Graham, Edward Bennett Williams, Vince Lombardi, Jack Kent Cooke, Joe Gibbs, Bobby Beathard, Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder have been special. My special broadcast partners such as Sam Huff and Frank Herzog and later with Larry Michael, Chris Cooley and Doc Walker on radio and the great TV talents such as Glenn Brenner and George Michael. We lived through the glory years together -- the NFC East championships and five Super Bowls, all great memories. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention my good friend Andy Ockershausen who was responsible for bringing together the original broadcast team of Sonny, Sam and Frank. After 62 years in professional football, I still have my health and wonderful family with a special thanks to my beautiful wife Margo for letting me work the weekends for all those years. I'll always be a fan of professional football and appreciative of all that it has done for me, my family and our city. I'll leave you with these word, Hail to the Redskins!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Thanks for everything Sonny, I never had an opportunity to watch you play, but I've listened to you on the radio since I was a child. I appreciate all you have done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justice98 Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 It was a good run, but it's time. Glad he got to do it on his own terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dissident2 Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Legend. Don't make 'em like Sonny anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsailand Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 9 minutes ago, justice98 said: It was a good run, but it's time. Glad he got to do it on his own terms. I doubt he was given a choice. Regardless, 35+ year broadcasting career after a hall of fame NFL career. He's a legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticsalmon Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 One of the very few class moves by the organization- letting Sonny retire when he was ready. Clearly, with the cluttered broadcast booth and his advancing age, Sonny was becming marginalized. We all knew it was time, but the organization allowed the HOFamer to gracefully step aside when it would have been understandable if they let him go a few years ago. Hail to #9! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veteranskinsfan Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 We will miss you Sonny! I remember meeting you at a 10K race in DC. You and Sam were there and you were enjoying a cigar. I enjoyed talking with you for about ten minutes. It made my year!! We would have won that Super Bowl if Allen had put you into the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rook Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Thank you Sonny. One of the finest QB's , and the team of Sonny, Sam and Frank was one of the all-time best broadcast teams. The Rook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Sonny, Sam and Frank are part of the soundtrack to my childhood. Always remember my dad turning down the TV and turning up the radio. Always loved Sonny's voice. A true legend. Thank you, Sonny! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonesbr549 Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Sir you were my first QB idol. Thankyou thankyou. Will miss you in the booth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sknsnation Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Thanks For All The Memories, You Frank and Sam were The Best. So Glad I got to catch the last part of your playing career. Enjoy your retirement, Gods speed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsGuy Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Enjoy your retirement, Sonny. You've earned it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTBIRD 227 Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 God bless you Sony. I am recounting my memories of a young boy at 10 years old watching you slinging the ball down the field at old RFK stadium. Thanks for those memories Sony. Enjoy retirement. Hail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILikeBilly Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 HoF qb, but possibly an even better announcer. I was one of the large group that would mute the TV and and put on the radio so that I could hear the Sonny, Sam and Frank broadcast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goskins10 Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Sonny is one of the reasons I became a Redskins fan. What a great ambassador for Redskins football and the NFL in general. Glad to see him go with class and dignity. He will be missed for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goskins10 Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 6 hours ago, ILikeBilly said: HoF qb, but possibly an even better announcer. I was one of the large group that would mute the TV and and put on the radio so that I could hear the Sonny, Sam and Frank broadcast. Always did that. The tv announcers were garbage. Much rather listen to sonny Sam and frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinn Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Sonny IS the reason I am a Redskins fan. In my youth , living in Maine, I peeled the label off a Hi C can and to my delight, on the back was a small Sonny poster. I then started watching Sonny whenever I could. In good times and bad, I still remain a fan. Thanks Sonny !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCB Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Total legend. Thank you, sir! As a DC native living away from the area for a long time, tuning in to the radio was always a delight. In honor of the great one, let me just say, "Now'd be a good time to throw it deep." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonesbr549 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 On 8/11/2019 at 9:53 AM, goskins10 said: Always did that. The tv announcers were garbage. Much rather listen to sonny Sam and frank Me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 One of my favorite memories of Sonny - not as a player or even a broadcaster - occurred in the early to mid 2000's during pregame at FedEx Field. It was a cold, drizzly day and the Skins were on the field going through warm ups. Sonny, who must have been in his late 60s or early 70s at the time, was down on the field in a trench coat, smoking a cigar and wandering among the players doing their drills. He strolled over to the quarterbacks throwing routes to wideouts, and - cigar in mouth - started taking shotgun snaps and firing the ball down field to receivers. Perfect passes. As fans started noticing, a buzz in the stands grew to loud cheering. When that caught his attention, he gave a sheepish wave and moved on. It was only four or five passes, and I swear he was nailing receivers in stride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profusion Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 It's an even debate whether the greatest QB in team history is Sonny or Sammy. Congratulations to Sonny on an amazing career and a well-earned retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinzplay Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Sonny is all Redskins. I wish we could've given him something more inspiring to watch these last several years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 I remember the first time Sonny picked against the Redskins on Channel 4. Everyone was stunned. Sonny was a homer in the best of ways: Hopeful, idealistic, enthusiastic, and yet realistic. When I think of him, I like to remember the glory days. He was a part of that ride. I'm a bit too young to remember him as QB, but he carried himself always with dignity, class, and fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 One of the all time greats and glad I've gotten to watch and listen to him over the years. Enjoy that retirement Sonny. You've earned it and then some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 One of the best pure passers EVER. Watch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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