The quarterback is arguably the most important position on the gridiron.
It requires a combination of athleticism, skill, and smarts.
Sonny Jurgensenwas born in Wilmington, North Carolina, on August 23, 1934.
In 1955, Jurgensen took over as starting quarterback while also starting on defense.
In 1956, Jurgensens final year at Duke, the team finished 5-4-1.
He also rushed for 109 yards and intercepted ten passes.
Billy Kilmerwas born in Topeka, Kansas, on September 5, 1939.
He was also named Most Valuable Player in the 1961 College All-Star Game and received the1960 W.J.
Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding college football player on the Pacific Coast.
Jurgensen was picked in the fourth round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, 43rd overall.
He served as backup to quarterback Bobby Thomason in 1957, and Norm Van Brocklin in 1958-60.
Kilmer sat out the entire 1963 season.
In 1965, he didn’t play.
The Redskins finished the season 5-6-3.
Jurgensen played injured in 68, and the Redskins finished 5-9.
Kilmer had been arrested once for being intoxicated and was gaining a reputation for being ahell-raiser.
In 1969, the Redskins madeVince Lombarditheir Head Coach.
He said of Jurgensen,Jurgensen is a great quarterback.
He hangs in there under adverse conditions.
He may be the best the league has ever seen.
After Lombardis sudden passing, assistant Bill Austin stepped in and finished a dismal 6-8 in 1970.
Kilmers most memorable night on the town in 1971 came when he got arrested in an Arlington coffee shop.
Kilmerwon the hearts of fans when he told the waitress she could keep the $100 as a tip.
Kilmer was more of a ball-control guy.
The Sonny and Billy quarterback time-share had worked out very well.
Kilmer was 7-2 as a starter that year, with 12 touchdown passes in ten games.
NFLBad Boystill the end…
