In today's Rewarding Moments In Redskins History presented by Maryland Lottery My Lottery Rewards, we look back at Sonny Jurgensen's five-touchdown performance in his first game back in Philadelphia after being traded to Washington during the spring of 1964.
Sonny Jurgensen thought it was an April Fool's joke. But when a man told Jurgensen he had been traded from the Eagles to the Redskins, he was hearing the truth.
On April 1, 1964, the Redskins' NFC East rival traded a gun-slinging Jurgensen to the burgundy and gold. The deal involved four players, with the Eagles and Redskins each swapping a quarterback and defensive back. In making the trade for Jurgensen, former Redskins head coach Bill McPeak desired a new look under center, calling on Jurgensen to revitalize the Redskins offense. Although quarterback Norm Snead was selected to two Pro Bowls in his first three seasons in Washington, McPeak wasn't impressed with his statistics, leading to the acquisition of Jurgensen.
His return to Franklin Field was one Jurgensen and those in attendance would remember for a long time.
After the Redskins started the season 0-4, Jurgensen led them to a resounding 35-20 victory on a chilly October afternoon in Philadelphia. He finished the game with five touchdown passes, totaled 385 yards through the air and completed 22 of his 33 passes.
The Redskins went on to sweep the season series against the Eagles, and over the course of his Redskins career, Jurgensen went on to win 13 of the 16 games in which he faced his former franchise. In those matchups, the Redskins Ring of Fame inductee threw for 33 touchdowns.
"Jurgensen is a great quarterback," said NFL legend Vince Lombardi during his one-year tenure in Washington in 1969. "He hangs in there under adverse conditions. ...He's the best the league has ever seen. He's the best I have seen."
In 18 seasons in the NFL, Jurgensen totaled 255 touchdowns and 32,224 yards. In 1983, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Redskins.
A look back at some of the top images in games between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Washington Redskins Sean Taylor(21) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 11, 2007 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles beat the Redskins 33-25.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, left, is congratulated by his Philadelphia Eagles counterpart, Randall Cunningham following the Redskins 10-3 upset win in NFL game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Nov. 13, 1989. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor (36) is upended by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) after his interception of McNabb's pass in the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, in Philadelphia. Behind them is Eagles' guard Hank Fraley (63) and tackle Tra Thomas (72). (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith is pulled down by Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari)
Quarterback Doug Williams (17) of the Washington Redskins releases a pass n a 17 - 10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 18, 1988 at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Washington Redskins Art Monk catches a 16-yard second quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Rypien as Philadelphia Eagles Eric Allen watches during Wildcard playoff game Saturday, Jan. 5, 1991 at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Washington Redskins tackle Jermaine Haley causes Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) to fumble in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, in Philadelphia. The Redskins recovered on the play. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Eagles' Terry Tautolo tackles Washington Redskins' John Riggins, but is too late to keep Riggins from scoring a touchdown after catching a pass during game at Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1979. (AP Photo/Steven Falk)
Washington Redskins Dexter Manley sacks Philadelphia Eagles Randall Cunningham for a loss of five yards in first quarter NFL action in their game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Nov. 13, 1989. Cunningham fumbled the ball and the Redskins recovered en route to a 10-3 win. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Billy Barnes (32) Washington Redskins back, keeps tight grip on the ball as he scores touchdown from 3-yard line despite swarm of Philadelphia Eagles defenders in second period of Eagles - Redskins pro-football game in Philadelphia on Oct. 21, 1962. Trying to stop Barnes are Eagles backs Bob Harrison (42) and Mike McClellan (23). At top is Redskins end Bill Anderson (42), Redskins won, 27-21. (AP Photo/Bill Ingraham)
Philadelphia Eagles' Greg Lewis, left, and J.R. Reed, center, chase Washington Redskins' Ladell Betts (46) as Betts returns the opening kickoff 70 yards Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, in Landover, Md. The play set up a short touchdown run for Clinton Portis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Philadelphia Eagles fullback Clarence Peaks (26) is brought down by Washington Redskin tackle Will Renfro (71) after a six-yard first quarter running gain at Griffith Stadium, Dec. 6, 1959, Washington, D.C. Swarming in on Peaks is fullback Chuck Drazenovich (36) and end Ed Meadows (83), both of Washington. In the background is Chuck Bednarik (60), Eagles center. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) scores a third-quarter touchdown past Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins (20) and safety Michael Lewis (32), Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
