Football Daily

In the Northwest corner of the country is a proud football program of the University of Washington. The team has made the students, faculty, alums, and fans proud to support them at home and away games. UW has an excellent tradition of quality pigskin play and is a perennial contender for their respective conference title and sometimes even the National Championship. Dig into UW gridiron history here!

Here is a summary of the Huskies football program:

-Early Years: Washington played independently for 26 years (1889-1915) before joining the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) in 1916.

-Conference Evolution: The PCC morphed into various iterations: AAUW, Pacific-8, Pacific-10, and ultimately the current Pac-12. Washington and California remained members throughout.

-Big Ten Shift: In 2023, Washington and Oregon were accepted into the Big Ten Conference, starting in 2024.

-Championships: Washington claims two national championships: 1960 (Helms Athletic Foundation) and 1991 (Coaches Poll). The latter title was split with Miami (AP Poll).

July 9, 1932 - Boston Braves/Redskins/ Washington Redskins franchise is granted by the NFL. A group headed by George Preston Marshall that included Vincent Bendix, Jay O'Brien and Dorland Doyle were given the remnants of the defunct Newark Tornadoes that folded at the end of the 1930 season according to the SportsTeamHistory.com website.

The professional rights of the franchise go further back than that even. According to Wikipedia, in 1929 Ole Haugsrud, the owner of Duluth Eskimos, sold his NFL franchise rights for the Eskimos to Piggy Simandl, a wholesale meat salesman and sports promoter from Orange, who named his franchise the Orange Tornadoes. The team struggled to a 3-5-4 record and then decided to move to Newark for a fresh start. The next season the team received more bad breaks as head coach Jack Depler left the team to buy the Dayton Triangles and promptly moved them to become the Brooklyn Dodgers, raiding many of his former players of the Tornadoes to fill his roster.

The Newark squad went through three different head coaches in 1930. Now back to the Boston group receiving the old Newark team remnants, well none of the Tornadoes team members ever joined the Braves that didn't start playing until a couple of seasons removed from the Jersey based twisters team. The team lost $46,000 in revenue of that first season hence all of his partners bailed on the team leaving Marshall as the sole owner.

George was a larger than life showman, who thrived on attention. The group  originally named the team after the Boston Braves baseball team that played there but after very little support Marshall knew he had to change things up a bit. Prior to the 1933 season the nickname was changed to the Redskins to give his team their own identity. The team had limited success in Boston, and didn’t get much support from the community. The lack of support by both the fans and the media really came to a head when Marshall noticed that a local field hockey team was getting more press coverage than his beloved Redskins. This infuriated Marshall so a change of surroundings seemed to be in order, and the move to the Nation’s Capital changed the course of the franchise as they were crowned the NFL Champions in their inaugural year in DC. 

It is for good reasons that the NFL does not consider the Redskins to be a continuation of the Tornadoes, just as it does not consider the Tornadoes to be a continuation of the Duluth Eskimoes. Recently the Washington Football Team was rebranded as the Washington Commanders.

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Step into the heart of Washington Husky football, where passion meets performance and tradition fuels the fire. Explore the official athletics site, your one-stop shop for everything purple and gold. Get the latest news, in-depth features, player profiles, and exclusive insider content. Relive historic victories, immerse yourself in the gameday atmosphere, and connect with the Husky community. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to discover the magic of Husky football, this is your ultimate destination for all things Huskies. Go Dawgs!

Check out the UW official link below.

Sammy Baugh was a true pioneer in professional football. He helped redefine the quarterback position in an era that saw the popular single-wing offenses give way to the T-formation and where QBs were the main passers. Here's a quick rundown of his impressive career:

-Dominant Quarterback: Baugh played for the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) from 1937 to 1952. He led the league in passing yards six times, a record that still stands, and revolutionized the quarterback position with his exceptional throwing accuracy and arm strength.

-Triple Threat: Nicknamed "Slingin' Sammy," Baugh wasn't just a passer. He excelled as a punter, leading the league four times, and also played defensive back, even leading the league in interceptions in 1943. His versatility made him a nightmare for opposing teams.

-Championship Pedigree: Baugh led the Redskins to NFL Championships in 1937 and 1942, solidifying his status as a winner.

-Durability and Recognition: Despite playing in a leather helmet era, Baugh enjoyed a long and successful career. He retired with numerous NFL records and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Born March 17, 1914 birth in Temple, Texas on this day. Sammy Baugh, according to the NFF, said that Baugh was also an excellent punter who, as a professional, would lead the league four times.

During a 3-2 TCU victory over LSU in the Sugar Bowl, Baugh punted 14 times for a 48-yard average, placing many kicks inside the Tiger five-yard line. Baugh gained All-America status in 1935 and repeated as a consensus All-America in his 1936 senior season. The National Football Foundation saluted the great career of Sammy Baugh by placing his stats and story in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

When Baugh left TCU he joined the Washington Redskins when they used the number one overall pick in the 1937 NFL Draft to select him. In 16 professional seasons Sammy played on five division and two league championship teams.

As a passer Baugh led the league six times and still holds many NFL passing records tossing an amazing for the time 187 TDs. In addition to being a great passer and punter, Baugh was also an extremely efficient defensive player as he led the NFL in interceptions in 1943 and finished his NFL career with 31. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Sammy Baugh's gridiron legacy in 1963.

Born August 22, 1909 - Mel Hein was a Washington State center who entered into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. Hein was also a great pro player in the NFL for the New York Football Giants. He was also enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and was selected to the 50th, 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Hein was an All-Pro in 8 consecutive seasons from 1933 through 1940.

Per Wikipedia, Hein also served as the head football coach at Union College from 1943 to 1946 and as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1947 to 1948, the New York Yankees of the AAFC in 1949, the Los Angeles Rams in 1950, and the USC Trojans from 1951 to 1965. He was also the supervisor of officials for the American Football League from 1966 to 1969 and for the American Football Conference from 1970 to 1974.

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The Washington Huskies, synonymous with purple and gold, boast a storied history in college football. Since their inception in 1892, these gridiron warriors have compiled a legacy filled with impressive statistics, captivating moments, and enduring traditions. From the legendary Don James era to the modern resurgence under Chris Petersen, the Huskies have consistently captivated fans and challenged for national titles. Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the remarkable statistical achievements that define Washington Husky football.

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A Pigskin Dispatch One Minute of Football History on the legendary QB Sammy Baugh and his entrance into the NFL.

Baugh's ascent was meteoric. He stormed onto the collegiate scene at TCU, dazzling crowds with audacious throws and electrifying runs. His audacity knew no bounds; he once famously punted the ball with his left foot while holding it in his right hand, leaving stunned opponents wondering what trickery he'd conjure next.

But it was with the Washington Redskins that Baugh's legend truly exploded. He entered a league still clinging to outdated ground-and-pound tactics, a run-first, pass-later mindset. Baugh, however, possessed a revolutionary vision. He saw the potential of the forward pass, of unleashing the aerial assault.

And unleash it he did. Baugh's throws defied physics, zipping through the air with uncanny accuracy. He could thread the needle between defenders, launching spirals that seemed to hang in the air just a moment longer, tantalizingly out of reach. He mastered the art of the roll-out, weaving through tacklers while unleashing lasers that found their targets like homing missiles.

Baugh's impact wasn't just statistical. He transformed the game, paving the way for generations of aerial assassins. He wasn't just a quarterback; he was a showman, a magician weaving gridiron spells, a gunslinger leaving defenses scrambling for cover.

For a hundred years, the Washington Huskies have thrilled fans with their exciting brand of football, leaving a trail of memorable moments etched in college football history. From legendary victories to individual feats of brilliance, let's rewind and relive some of the defining chapters in Husky football history:

Early Days & Triumphs:
1949 Apple Cup: Witness the "phantom of Compton," Hugh McElhenny, as he carves through the Washington State defense for a record-breaking 296 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Huskies to a dominant 52-0 victory.
1960 Rose Bowl: Quarterback Bob Schloredt and running back George Fleming orchestrate a thrilling upset over the heavily favored Minnesota Golden Gophers, securing a 17-7 Rose Bowl victory and marking the program's first-ever bowl win.

The Don James Era & Championship Glory:

1984 Orange Bowl: Under the leadership of legendary coach Don James, the Huskies pull off a captivating win against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl, solidifying their place among the nation's elite.

1991 National Championship: Witness the crowning moment of the Don James era as Billy Joe Hobert leads the Huskies to an undefeated season, culminating in a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan and the program's first and only national championship.

Modern Era & Pac-12 Dominance:

2000 Apple Cup:
Relive the electrifying finish of the 2000 Apple Cup, where Marques Tuiasosopo connects with Reggie Williams for a last-second touchdown pass, securing a share of the Pac-10 championship and engraving a legendary moment in Husky lore.

2016 College Football Playoff: Coach Chris Petersen orchestrates the rise of a Pac-12 powerhouse, leading the 2016 Huskies, featuring quarterback Jake Browning and dynamic running backs, to a berth in the prestigious College Football Playoff, showcasing their talent on the national stage.

Beyond Victories: Individual Brilliance:

The Husky legacy extends beyond team triumphs, with individual moments of greatness etched in memory. From Hugh McElhenny's electrifying runs to Jake Browning's record-setting passing performances, these individual feats have impacted the program and its fans.

A Legacy of Excellence:
The history of Husky football is a testament to the dedication, passion, and talent that have defined the program for over a century. The unforgettable moments, from iconic victories to individual heroics, continue to inspire future generations of athletes and fans. As the Huskies continue to write their story in the annals of college football, their legacy of excellence and passion will undoubtedly endure.

Born September 1, 1903, in Lamont, Washington was Ray Flaherty was a player and head coach in the early NFL and he spent a total of 18 years in pro football. Flaherty played football at Washington State before transferring to Gonzaga. After school in 1926 he joined the original AFL's LA Wildcats team before playing end with Red Grange's New York Yankees in 1927 and 1928. After this Yankees franchise folded, Ray played in the NFL for the New York Football Giants. After his playing days were over he took the job of coaching the Boston Redskins in 1936 and in his 7 seasons at the helm, his Redskin teams won two NFL Championships and four division titles. We have to keep in perspective George Halas and his Chicago Bears were the dominant force in the NFL during this era. Despite the powerful Bears Flaherty's squads defeated the Chicago teams in 2 out of 3 NFL championship games where they opposed each other.  Coach Flaherty was also an innovator as he introduced a couple of significant items to football, the screen pass behind the line of scrimmage and the two platoon system where one group specialized in passing and the other in the run game. Mr. Flaherty left the Redskins after the 1942 NFL Championship win to serve his country during World War II. After the war Flaherty returned to coach the New York Yankees in the brand new All American Football Conference and quickly guided the Yanks to two straight AAFC titles. He coached his final season in 1949 with the AAFC's Chicago Hornets and closed the brilliant coaching career with a record of 80-37-5 and an awesome .676 winning percentage! The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined this great coach in the entry class of 1976 as a coach.

John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel" for his punishing running style, carved out a unique and impactful career in the NFL. Here's a glimpse into his journey:

-Early Success: Drafted by the New York Jets in 1971, Riggins established himself as a powerful runner, leading the team in rushing yards in his final season with them (1975).

-Redskins Era: In 1976, Riggins joined the Washington Redskins, becoming a cornerstone of their offense. He enjoyed several productive seasons, rushing for over 1,000 yards five times.

-Workhorse Back: Known for his relentless running and ability to grind out tough yards, Riggins was a vital cog in the Redskins' offensive machine. He even led the league in rushing touchdowns in 1983.

-Super Bowl Hero: Despite a one-year contract holdout in 1980, Riggins returned to the Redskins in 1981. His dominant performance culminated in a legendary Super Bowl XVII victory in 1983, where he rushed for a game-winning 43-yard touchdown. He was named Super Bowl MVP for his efforts.

-Durability and Legacy: Riggins played for 14 seasons, rushing for over 11,000 yards and 104 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.