In today's Rewarding Moments In Redskins History presented by Maryland Lottery My Lottery Rewards, we look back at Darrell Green's impromptu punt return against the Chicago Bears in 1988.
Not often used as a punt returner, it did not go unnoticed when No. 28 stood back to field a Bryan Wagner punt in the Redskins' divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Jan. 10, 1988.
Approaching sub-zero temperatures on the frigid Soldier Field turf, Green was inserted to resurrect what seemed like a frostbit Redskins team that found itself down, 14-0, early on.
Fielding the ball at his own 48-yard line, Green seemed trapped. But as Bears special teamer Cap Boso approached, the 5-foot-9 Green proceeded to leap over the 6-foot-4 Boso staying on his feet despite having torn the cartilage in his ribs after landing awkwardly.
Green continued his trek down the sideline and into the end zone, using the ball as a stabilizer pressed against his injured ribs. Green's legendary play put the Redskins up, 21-14, in the third quarter, a lead they would not relinquish. The win sent the Redskins to the NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings, where Green would go on to produce another memorable play that helped the franchise reach its fourth Super Bowl in franchise history.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Vikings trailing, 17-10, but inside the red zone, Green stepped in front of Minnesota running back Darrin Nelson to knock away a fourth-down throw. The pass break-up sealed the Redskins' victory and punched their ticket to Super Bowl XXII, where the burgundy and gold would go on to rout the John Elway-led Denver Broncos, 42-10.
