The NFL lost one of its all-time greats on Friday. Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen, the legendary quarterback known for his cannon arm and fearless playing style, has died at the age of 91.

A Golden Arm Falls Silent

The news was announced by Jurgensen’s family, who remembered him not just as a football icon, but as “the steady, humorous, and deeply loving heart of our family.”

“We are enormously proud of his amazing life and accomplishments on the field, marked not only by a golden arm, but also a fearless spirit and intellect that earned him a place among the legends in Canton,” the family statement read. “But to those of us who knew him beyond the stadium lights, he was the steady, humorous, and deeply loving heart of our family.”

18 Seasons of Excellence

Jurgensen’s NFL journey began in 1957 when the Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the fourth round out of Duke University. He spent his early years backing up the legendary Norm Van Brocklin, earning a championship ring when the Eagles won the 1960 NFL Championship.

When his time came to start in 1961, Jurgensen seized the opportunity with both hands. He was named a first-team All-Pro that season, announcing himself as one of the league’s premier passers.

In 1964, Jurgensen was traded to Washington, where he would cement his legacy over the next decade. He remained with the franchise through the 1974 season, earning second-team All-Pro honors in both 1967 and 1969.

By the Numbers

The statistics tell the story of a quarterback who dominated his era:

  • 18 NFL seasons (1957-1974)
  • 32,224 career passing yards (51st all-time)
  • 5 league passing yard titles
  • First-team All-Pro (1961)
  • Two-time second-team All-Pro (1967, 1969)

Jurgensen led the league in passing yards five times over his career—a testament to his consistency and brilliance at the position.

A Legacy Carved in Stone

Jurgensen’s impact on the game was officially recognized in 1983 when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. His number 9 jersey was retired by Washington, and he holds places in both the team’s Ring of Fame and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Hall of Fame.

But his connection to Washington football extended far beyond his playing days. After hanging up his cleats, Jurgensen became a fixture on Washington Sundays as a broadcaster, shaping how generations of fans experienced the game.

Tributes Pour In

Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris released a statement honoring the franchise legend:

“Sonny Jurgensen is, and always will be, one of the defining legends of Washington football. He was a brilliant leader, Hall of Fame quarterback, and had one of the best arms the game has ever seen. After his career on the field, Sonny’s voice became a fixture of Washington Sundays for decades, shaping the way generations of fans experienced the game.

“For me, Sonny was the embodiment of what it means to don the Burgundy and Gold: tough, smart, and endlessly devoted to this franchise and its fans. He was a giant of the game and a beloved part of our team’s identity.”

A Final Request from the Family

In their statement, the Jurgensen family offered a touching suggestion for how fans might honor Sonny’s memory:

“While he has taken his final snap, his legacy will remain an indelible part of the city he loved and the family he built. We are comforted by the knowledge that he brought joy to so many. This weekend as we enjoy the game that he loved so much, join us and raise a glass, share a story and a smile, as we celebrate the extraordinary life of a man who was, to us, the greatest of all time.”

A Legend Remembered

Sonny Jurgensen’s passing comes at a poignant moment, just days before Super Bowl LX. As football fans gather to celebrate the sport’s biggest game, many will pause to remember a man who helped make the NFL what it is today.

His golden arm may have thrown its last pass decades ago, but the memories of his brilliance on the field—and the warmth of his voice in the broadcast booth—will endure for generations to come.

Rest in peace, Sonny. Number 9 forever.

Christian Adolph “Sonny” Jurgensen III (August 23, 1934 – February 6, 2026) was an American professional football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the NFL. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.