In today's Rewarding Moments In Redskins History presented by Maryland Lottery My Lottery Rewards, we look back at when the Redskins signed wide receiver PierreGarçonon March 13, 2012..
Pierre Garçon only needed four years with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts to prove he could be one of the better receivers in the NFL.
Garçon is one of the rare Division III college players to get a shot at joining the professional ranks. After leading Mount Union College to back-to-back Division III Football Championships, the Colts selected him in the sixth round with the 205th overall pick.
In his four seasons with the team, Garçon averaged 13.4 yards per catch while amassing 2,519 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had at least 760 yards in each of his last three seasons in Indianapolis.
As one of Manning's favorite targets, Garçon became one of most sought-after free agents in 2012. That's when the Redskins signed him to a 5-year, $42.5 million deal so he could be a reliable pass catcher for rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins.
In his first season donning the burgundy and gold, Garçon caught 633 yards and four touchdowns while helping the Redskins to claim the NFC East division title.
Garçon's five years with the Redskins proved to be the best strech of his career. He had more yards (4,549), touchdowns (21) and catches (376) than the Colts or the San Fransisco 49ers, who signed him to a two-year deal in 2017. His only two 1,000-yard seasons (2013 and 2016) came when he was playing for the Redskins.
Garçon finished as one of the best receivers in Redskins' history. He is 10th all-time in receiving yards, and his catch percentage of 64.9% is one of the best among receivers.
