Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time: No. 16: Sammy Baugh

In selecting the 25 greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, I took into account QB stats, accolades (Pro Bowls, All-Pro selections, Offensive Player of the Year honors, MVP's, etc.), as well as regular season and postseason success--making note of the era each signal caller played in and how the game operated at that time. 

In this post, I depict the career of Sammy Baugh, the 16th greatest quarterback in NFL history.
16. Sammy Baugh

Washington Redskins, 1937-1952

AP Photo

A three-sport athlete at Texas Christian University, Sammy Baugh was selected by the Washington Redskins with the sixth overall pick in the 1937 NFL Draft. Before Baugh had even graduated from TCU, Washington showed immense interest in the versatile athlete. Redskins’ owner George Marshall offered the senior QB $4,000 to sign with the club. Baugh—unsure if he wanted to pursue a professional career in football, baseball or basketball—turned down Marshall’s request. Marshall held no rancor towards Baugh, though, as the owner knew the talent Baugh possessed and wisely chose him with a first-round draft pick in the ensuing draft.

            The rookie QB earned $8,000 in the 1937 season, making him the highest paid player on the team. The multifaceted first-year pro was worth every penny, playing quarterback, punter and defensive back for the Redskins.

            Baugh was the forefather of the passing game in the NFL. In the league’s first 17 years of existence (1920-1936), NFL teams relied heavily on the running game for offense. Passing the ball was not banal—plays designed to air the ball out were taken with strong precaution. “Slingin’ Sammy” made the forward pass a primary offensive option by the time his career had ended.

            In his rookie season, Baugh set an NFL record for completions, throwing for a league-high in passing yards in the process. Behind Baugh, the Redskins won the 1937 NFL Championship over the Chicago Bears. In the title-clinching victory, Baugh threw for three TDs and 335 yards—the second-most passing yards thrown by a rookie QB in a postseason contest in NFL history, trailing just Russell Wilson’s 385-yard performance in the Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round of the 2012 NFL Playoffs.

            The Redskins returned to the NFL Championship game in 1940, only to be humiliated by the Bears, 73-0, the most lopsided playoff contest in league history. Washington redeemed itself two years later. The Baugh-led Redskins upset the previously undefeated Bears to win the 1942 NFL title.

            The best season of Baugh’s career followed in 1943. He led the NFL in passing yards and punting, netting 45.9 yards per punt. Baugh also registered a league-high 11 interceptions at cornerback. The most notable game of Baugh’s Hall of Fame career came in 1943 in a victory over the Detroit Lions. In a blowout win, Baugh threw for four TDs and intercepted four passes on the defensive end.

Baugh led the Redskins to the NFL Championship contest in 1943 and 1945, but came up short in the title game in each year.

            The two-time NFL champion won six NFL passing titles—tied for the most in league history with Steve Young. A 16-year pro, Baugh recorded the league-low in interception percentage five times—the most seasons by a QB in NFL history.  His 70.33 completion percentage in 1945 ranks second highest by a QB in a single-season in NFL history, trailing only Ken Anderson, who completed 70.55% of his pass with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1982.

            Baugh led the NFL in completions five times. Only Steve Young had more seasons (6) leading the league in completions. Baugh also led the league in completion percentage in seven seasons, second all-time behind Len Dawson (8).