Sonny Jurgensen, Hall of Fame quarterback whose strong arm set many records philadelphia eagles And Washington Commanders and affable personality made him a beloved figure, he died at the age of 91.
Jurgensen’s family announced his death Friday in a statement released by commanders, saying he died of natural causes in Naples, Florida, after a short stay in hospice care.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our husband, father and grandfather, Sonny Jurgensen,” the family said. “We are very proud of his amazing life and accomplishments on the field, marked not only by a golden hand, but also by a fearless spirit and intelligence that earned him a place among the greats in Canton.”
Christian A. A statement from the family of “Sonny” Jurgensen III pic.twitter.com/vbW5bIV9xn
– Washington Commanders (@Commanders) 6 February 2026
Jurgensen spent most of his 18-year career in Washington, joining the team in 1964 in a surprise quarterback swap that sent Norm Snead to Philadelphia. Jurgensen made four of his five Pro Bowls in Washington, leading the NFL in passing three times, and his 31 passing touchdowns in 1967 remain a single-season franchise record.
In Philadelphia, where he played from 1957 to 1963, Jurgensen was the starter for three seasons, starting in 1961, and twice led the NFL in passing. He set a franchise record with 32 passing touchdowns in 1961, which he held until Carson Wentz surpassed him with 33 in 2017.
Jurgensen was a backup quarterback when the Eagles won the NFL title in 1960 – the team’s last championship before their Super Bowl LII victory. His 26 interceptions in 1962 remain an Eagles team record.
He ranks in the top 40 in NFL history in career passing touchdowns (255) and interceptions (189). He topped 3,000 yards rushing in a season five times, including twice with Philadelphia, in an era when rule changes had led to NFL offenses starting more and finished with 32,224 career passing yards.
Jurgensen will always be in the record books for throwing a 99-yard touchdown pass to Gerry Allen in 1968.
His family said, “He lived with a deep appreciation for the teammates, colleagues and friends he met along the way.” “Although he has taken his final photo, his legacy will remain an indelible part of the city he loved and the family he built.”
Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, is in both the Eagles Hall of Fame and Washington’s Ring of Fame, and remains the only Washington player to wear the No. 9 jersey in a game.
“Few players can match Sonny Jurgensen’s true love of the game that continued long after his playing days,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in a statement. “Whether he was standing in front of an opposing lineman as quarterback for the Eagles and Redskins for 18 seasons or later as a beloved broadcaster in Washington for several decades, Sonny captivated audiences and introduced generations of fans to the game. Watching Sonny throw a football was like watching a master craftsman create a work of art.”
Following his playing career, Jurgensen spent 38 years as an analyst on Washington broadcasts before announcing his retirement in August 2018.
“Sonny Jurgensen is and always will be one of the defining legends of Washington football,” said Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris. said in a statement. “He was a tremendous leader, a Hall of Fame quarterback, and he had one of the best weapons ever seen in the game. … Our hearts and prayers go out to Sonny’s family, friends and everyone who loved him.”
Jurgensen also had a great college career rulerHelped the Blue Devils to ACC titles in 1954 and 1955 while playing quarterback and defensive back.
Jurgensen’s tenure in Washington for more than four decades made him a household name in the nation’s capital. He was the only Sonny, the contrarian but loyal, red-headed football player with the out-of-shape belly, who maintained a rapport with the fans but could also drag a cigar and hobnob with the team owner.
Notorious for breaking curfew, Jurgensen was also known for ignoring coaches and joking about his less-than-ideal body. He largely compensated with his pinpoint passing from the pocket, helping make Washington exciting and competitive again, leading the team to more wins in his first three seasons than the club combined in the previous six seasons.
He once said, “I only ask my detractors for four seconds.” “I try to stay on my feet and not get forced out of the pocket. I hit people by throwing, not by running.”
That’s exactly what he did on November 28, 1965, when he shrugged off crowd criticism and led Washington to a 34–31 victory after trailing 21–0. dallas cowboys Throwing for 411 yards and three touchdowns. The game was the highlight of coach Bill McPeek’s five losing seasons with the club.
Jurgensen played through numerous injuries and even got the better of the infamous Vince Lombardi, who had led Washington to its first winning season in more than a decade in 1969. Lombardi said of Jurgensen, “He’s the best I’ve seen.”
But Lombardi died the following year, and Jurgensen never really developed a relationship with his defense-minded successor, George Allen. Washington acquired Billy Kilmer, sparking the great “Sonny vs. Billy” debate that lasted until Jurgensen retired after the 1974 season.
Washingtonians were too young to remember Jurgensen as a player and came to admire him for his astute observations as part of the radio broadcasting trio of “Sonny, Sam and Frank.” Jurgensen, Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff and play-by-play man Frank Herzog would boo and laugh while criticizing the burgundy and gold.
Jurgensen also became an unofficial confidant of the organization. He took over for Gus Frerotte in the mid-1990s when the young quarterback was battling Heath Shuler for the starting job. He became a member of Daniel Snyder’s inner circle after Snyder purchased the team in 1999, arriving in the owner’s helicopter and getting a special sideline seat to watch practice.
Still, Jurgensen would not hesitate to question decisions and performances he did not like, especially when it came to the quarterback. He often longs for the days when quarterbacks were allowed to call their own plays.
Born Christian Adolph Jurgensen III in Wilmington, North Carolina, on August 23, 1934, Jurgensen was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round in 1957. He remained behind Norm Van Brocklin until 1961, when he took over the starting job and threw for 3,723 yards, 32 touchdowns and 24 interceptions – all league highs.
Three years later, on April 1, 1964, he found himself on the way to Washington.
“Somebody came in and said, ‘You were traded to the Redskins,'” Jurgensen said in a 2007 interview. “I said ‘No, it’s April Fool’s Day, you’ve got to be kidding.’ He said, ‘No, I am not joking. I just heard it on the radio.’ So I was shocked.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
