On Saturday, the Washington Redskins held an Alumni Homecoming Reception where some of the team's greatest players received new Hall of Fame rings and former general manager Bobby Beathard was recognized.
The Washington Redskins enjoy one of the NFL's richest histories and each year the team takes out one weekend to honor some of the franchise's greats.
Prior to Sunday's annual Alumni Homecoming Game at FedExField in Landover, Md., the team on Saturday night held a special reception to honor the team's Hall of Famers and former general manager Bobby Beathard, who will officially become the Redskins' 48th member of its Ring of Fame this week.
Beathard will be formally honored with induction at halftime.
Early on in the evening the Pro Football Hall of Fame presented new rings to Darrell Green, Chris Hanburger, Ken Houston, Sam Huff, Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell, Art Monk, John Riggins and Charley Taylor, all of whom were inducted in Canton, Ohio, after their illustrious playing careers were completed.
A little background info on all nine Hall of Famers:
- Darrell Green: played with the Redskins from 1983-2002, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
- Chris Hanburger: played with the Redskins from 1965-78, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Ken Houston: played with the Redskins from 1973-80, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
- Sam Huff: played with the Redskins from 1964-67 and 1969, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
- Sonny Jurgensen: played with the Redskins from 1964-74, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
- Bobby Mitchell: played with the Redskins from 1962-68, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
- Art Monk: player with the Redskins from 1980-93, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
- John Riggins: played with the Redskins from 1976-79 and 1981-85, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
- Charley Taylor: played with the Redskins from 1964-77, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
One-by-one, the legendary players rose from their chairs to accept their rings along with their spouses.
"You've been given your bronze bust and your gold jacket, this is the Hall of Fame ring," said David Baker, president and executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "It takes about 11 weeks to be made. It has your own bust on the side of the ring. It has your number inside. It is about the size of a Volkswagen on your hand, but it is a great reminder that this incredible team, this incredible leap, this incredible game that all of us who are fans love so much, was built on the backs of men like you."
The Redskins also honored Beathard during the evening. In his 11 seasons (1978 to 1989) with the Redskins as the team's general manager, Washington averaged nearly 10 regular season wins per year while racking up a regular season record of 105-63. During that span, the Redskins' winning percentage of .625 was tops in the NFC and second-best in the NFL.
The Redskins would also post the best postseason mark during that time period, going 11-3 in postseason play.
Many of the players that Beathard brought on-board went on to great success even after the general manager left Washington.
In 1991, the Redskins posted a 14-2 regular season record before handily defeating the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. Twenty-five members of that historic team will be in attendance on Sunday.
"He's the best general manager in the history of the National Football League," said fellow former Redskins general manager Charley Casserly, who was on Beathard's staff for 11 seasons. "I was lucky enough to work for people like him. …Bobby was a great human being, excellent eye for talent, very easy to get along with, would listen to you, encouraged you to have your own opinion. He would think outside the box and was very aggressive in his way of doing things."
Redskins owner Dan Snyder left the alum with a reminder: their support will be needed as the current team takes on a talented Vikings squad.
"Last year, you guys helped us on something. After this great, great weekend – our Alumni Weekend – we went on a run," Snyder said. "Let's start that with you guys. Let's get on that run tomorrow."
