Washington Commanders

Based in the heart of the United States, Washington D.C., the Washington Commanders have carved a name for themselves in the National Football League (NFL). Playing in the National Football Conference (NFC), the Commanders are two-time NFL champions (1937 and 1942) and have bagged three Super Bowls (1983, 1988, and 1992). Established in 1932 as the Boston Braves, the team adopted a new identity the following year as the Boston Redskins. In 1937, the Redskins moved to Washington, marking a turning point in the franchise’s history. That year, they made a significant addition to their team – quarterback Sammy Baugh, a pioneer in his own right. Baugh steered the team to a championship in his debut season and shattered NFL passing records during his 16-year career.

 

Media Pioneers

Possessing substantial wealth, the Redskins, under the direction of Hall of Famer George Preston Marshall, leveraged their resources to explore sports broadcast media. By 1950, the entire Redskins season was televised, making them a force to reckon with in the media landscape. However, this rise to media prominence coincided with a bleak period for the team on the field, with a dearth of victories between 1946 and 1970.

 

A Turnaround with New Leadership

1971 marked a turnaround for the Redskins with the arrival of head coach George Allen. With Allen’s guidance, the Redskins returned to the postseason in his first year. His tenure peaked in 1972 with the Redskins clinching their first NFC championship, only to lose the Super Bowl to the unbeaten Miami Dolphins.

 

Golden Era under Joe Gibbs

In 1981, the team welcomed Joe Gibbs, who would become the most successful coach in Redskins’ history. His impressive record boasts eight playoff appearances, four NFC championships, and three Super Bowl victories (1983, 1988, 1992). The Redskins’ Super Bowl triumphs came under different quarterbacks – Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien. This golden era also saw the emergence of the “the Hogs,” their robust offensive line, and featured star players like John Riggins, Art Monk, and Darrell Green.

 

Ownership Shift and Recent Struggles

Following Gibbs’ retirement in 1993, the team faced a slump, posting three consecutive losing seasons. A shift in ownership occurred in 1999 when billionaire Daniel Snyder purchased the Redskins. This period saw a return of Gibbs to the sidelines and high-profile player acquisitions. Yet, the team’s success remained sporadic. Despite glimpses of potential, like the standout performance of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III leading the team to a 10-6 record in 2012, the Commanders have struggled to regain their past glory.