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38-563: The Touchdown Club of Columbus gave several awards to recognize outstanding athletes. The Sammy Baugh Trophy was awarded annually to the nation's top collegiate passer. This honor went to the NCAA's top running back, named for Hall of Famer Jim Brown . Named for Paul Warfield , this honor was given to the nation's top collegiate wide receiver . Given yearly to the top collegiate offensive lineman . Named for Ohio State great and Hall of Famer Jim Parker . Named for Bill Willis , this award

76-675: A punter and safety , leading the NFL in punting average five times and in defensive interceptions with 11 in 1943. After his playing career, he served as a college coach for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys before coaching professionally for the New York Titans and Houston Oilers . Baugh was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and was named to the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time teams. Baugh

114-560: A 10–1 record. In the 1942 Championship game , Baugh threw a touchdown pass and kept the Bears in their own territory with some strong punts, including an 85-yard quick kick, and Washington won 14–6. "I didn't know how much pro players were making, but I thought they were making pretty good money. So I asked Mr. Marshall for $ 8,000, and I finally got it. Later I felt like a robber when I found out what Cliff Battles and some of those other good players were making. I'll tell you what

152-668: A football through a swinging automobile tire, often on the run. Baugh practiced punting more than throwing. However, he really wanted to become a professional baseball player and almost received a scholarship to play at Washington State University . About a month before he started at Washington State, however, Baugh hurt his knee while sliding into second base during a game, and the scholarship fell through. After coach Dutch Meyer told him he could play three sports ( football , baseball , and basketball ), Baugh attended Texas Christian University . While at TCU, he threw 587 passes in his three varsity seasons for 39 touchdowns. Baugh

190-466: A girl. Edmonia died in 1990, after 52 years of marriage to Baugh, who was her high school sweetheart. According to his son, Baugh derived far more pleasure from ranching than he ever had from football, saying that he enjoyed the game, but if he could live his life over again, he probably wouldn't play sports at all. Similar to the nicknaming of fellow football great Byron "Whizzer" White of Colorado, sportswriters had tagged "Slinging Sammy". However, Sam

228-668: A league-high 1,127 yards. He led the Redskins to the NFL Championship game against the Chicago Bears , where he finished 17 of 33 for 335 yards and his second-half touchdown passes of 55, 78 and 33 yards gave Washington a 28–21 victory. His 335 passing yards remained the most ever in a playoff game by any rookie quarterback in NFL history until Russell Wilson broke the record in 2012 . The Redskins and Bears met three times in championship games between 1940 and 1943. In

266-486: A pro football player during 1943 in which he led the league in pass completions, punting (45.9-yard average) and interceptions (11). One of Baugh's more memorable single-game performances during the season was when he threw four touchdown passes and intercepted four passes in a 42–20 victory over the Lions . He was selected as an All-Pro tailback that year. The Redskins again made it to the championship game , but lost to

304-602: Is now in the hands of Baugh's son David and is still a cow-calf operation , on 20,000 acres (81 km ). The Associated Press quoted Baugh's son on December 17, 2008, saying Baugh had died after numerous health issues, including Alzheimer's disease , at Fisher County Hospital in Rotan, Texas . He is interred at Belvieu Cemetery in Rotan. # denotes interim head coach # denotes interim head coach # denotes interim head coach 1937 NFL draft The 1937 NFL draft

342-577: The 1940 Championship game , the Bears recorded the most one-sided victory in NFL history, beating Washington 73–0. After the game, Baugh was asked what would have happened if the Redskins' first drive had resulted in a touchdown. He shrugged and replied: "What? The score would have been 73–7". Baugh's heyday came during World War II . In 1942, Baugh and the Redskins won the East Conference with

380-467: The 1945 Championship game against the Cleveland Rams . The one-point margin of victory came under scrutiny because of a safety that occurred early in the game. In the first quarter, the Redskins had the ball at their own 5-yard line. Dropping back into the end zone , Baugh threw to an open receiver, but the ball hit the goal post (which at the time was on the goal line instead of at the back of

418-676: The American Football League (AFL) in 1960 and 1961 compiling a record of 14–14. He was an assistant for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in 1963 under head coach Glenn Dobbs . At Tulsa, he coached All-American quarterback Jerry Rhome . In 1964, Baugh coached the Houston Oilers and went 4–10. Baugh also took up acting. In 1941, he made $ 6,400 for starring in a 12-week serial as a dark-haired Texas Ranger named Tom King. The serial, called King of

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456-410: The Bears 41–21. During the game, Baugh suffered a concussion while tackling Bears quarterback Sid Luckman and had to leave. During the 1945 season, Baugh completed 128 of 182 passes for a 70.33 completion percentage, which was an NFL record then and remains the fourth-best today. He threw 11 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. The Redskins again won the East Conference but lost 15–14 in

494-501: The Catholic University Cardinals , and went with them to the 1940 Sun Bowl . Baugh left Washington, D.C., in 1952. He chose not to return for Redskins team functions, despite repeated organization invitations. After his playing career, he became head football coach for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys , where he compiled a 23–28 record between 1955 and 1959. Baugh was the first coach of the New York Titans of

532-609: The NFL Player of the Year. This award is not to be confused with the original Joe F. Carr Trophy which was the official National Football League MVP award from 1938–46. However, both trophies are named after Carr, a former NFL commissioner. Named for the club's founder, this trophy was presented annually to the National High School Player of the Year. The James A. Rhodes Trophy was awarded annually to

570-539: The Washington D.C. Touchdown Club honored him at Griffith Stadium and gave him a station wagon . Against the Chicago Cardinals he passed for 355 yards and six touchdowns. That season, the Redskins finished 4–8, but Baugh had career highs in completions (210), attempts (354), yards (2,938) and touchdown passes (25), leading the league in all four categories. Baugh played for five more years—leading

608-660: The Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs , where he was a two time All-American prior to being selected by the Redskins in the first round of the 1937 NFL draft . With the Redskins, Baugh won NFL Championships in 1937 and 1942 and led the NFL in completion percentage eight times, passing yards four times, and passing touchdowns once. Baugh also played as

646-585: The minor leagues to play with the American Association Columbus Red Birds , after being converted to shortstop . He was then sent to the International League's Rochester, New York Red Wings, St. Louis's other top farm club. While there he received little playing time behind starting shortstop Marty Marion and was unhappy with his prospects. He then turned to professional football. As expected, Baugh

684-467: The "Baugh/Marshall Rule". "The best, as far as I'm concerned. He could not only throw the ball, he could play defense, he could punt the football, he ran it when he had to. He and I roomed together, and he was a football man. He knew football, played it, and everybody had a lot of confidence in him." — Bill Dudley , on Sammy Baugh. One of Baugh's more memorable single performances came on " Sammy Baugh Day " on November 23, 1947. That day,

722-575: The 1940 season was held for 82 seasons until Titans rookie punter Ryan Stonehouse broke it with a 53.1 average in the 2022 season. As a safety, he was the first player in league history to intercept four passes in a game, and is the only player to lead the league in passing, punting, and interceptions in the same season. As one of the best-known of the early NFL quarterbacks, Baugh is likely to be compared to more recent great players. As noted by Michael Wilbon in The Washington Post ,

760-543: The FBS all-time leader in wins by a quarterback after going 50–3 as the starter at Boise State . Named for Ozzie Newsome , this award was presented annually to the top collegiate tight end . Named for Woody Hayes , this award recognized the top collegiate coach. The Robert C. Zuppke Award trophy was given to the Touchdown Club of Columbus's selection for national champion college football team. Given yearly to

798-543: The Ohio High School player of the year. It was named for former Governor of Ohio James A. Rhodes , who was state auditor when he made the suggestion that led to the founding of the Touchdown Club of Columbus. The Touchdown Club also gave the annual TDC Lifetime Achievement Award to a selected athlete. Sammy Baugh Samuel Adrian Baugh (March 17, 1914 – December 17, 2008) was an American professional football quarterback who played 16 seasons with

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836-644: The Texas Rangers , was released by Republic Studios . The episodes ran in theaters as Saturday matinees; it also starred Duncan Renaldo , later famous as TV's Cisco Kid . Robert Duvall patterned the role of Gus McCrae in the television series Lonesome Dove after Baugh, particularly his arm movements, after visiting him at his home in Texas in 1988. After retiring from football, Baugh and his wife Edmonia Smith Baugh moved to his Double Mountain ranch west of Aspermont, Texas , where they had four boys and

874-585: The contract until after the College All-Star Game , where the team beat the Green Bay Packers 6–0. Baugh was also a baseball player at TCU, where he played third base . It was during his time as a baseball player that he earned the nickname " Slinging Sammy ", which he got from a Texas sportswriter. After college, Baugh signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and was sent to

912-501: The end zone) and bounced back to the ground in the end zone. Under the rules at the time, this was ruled as a safety and thus gave the Rams a 2–0 lead. It was that safety that proved to be the margin of victory. Owner Marshall was so angry at the outcome that he became a major force in passing the following major rule change after the season: A forward pass that strikes the goal posts is automatically ruled incomplete. This later became known as

950-424: The football of Baugh's era was rounder at the ends and fatter in the middle than the one used today, making it far more difficult to pass well (or even to create a proper spiral). Additionally, it is important to point out that pass-interference rules have intensified dramatically, inflating modern quarterbacks' statistics. While playing for the Redskins, Baugh and teammate Wayne Millner were assistant coaches for

988-521: The highest-priced boy in Washington was getting the year before—not half as much as $ 8,000! Three of them—Cliff Battles, Turk Edwards and Wayne Millner —got peanuts, and all of 'em in the Hall of Fame now. If I had known what they were getting I'd have never asked for $ 8,000." —Baugh, on his $ 8,000 salary. Baugh had what many consider to be the greatest single-season performance by

1026-455: The league in completion percentage for the sixth and seventh times in 1948 and 1949. He then retired after the 1952 season. In his final game, a 27–21 win over Philadelphia at Griffith Stadium , he played for several minutes before retiring to a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd. Baugh won numerous NFL passing titles and earned first-team All-NFL honors four times in his career. He completed 1,693 of 2,995 passes for 21,886 yards. By

1064-493: The league in yards gained (four) and most seasons leading the league in completion percentage (seven). As a punter, Baugh retired with the NFL record for highest punting average in a career (45.1 yards), and is still second all-time (only Shane Lechler has passed him with 46.5 yards), and has the second-best (51.4 in 1940) and fifth-best (48.7 in 1941) season marks. He led the league in punting from 1940 through 1943. His single-season record of 51.4 average yards per punt during

1102-713: The only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin of Ohio State . Named for Chic Harley , this award was presented to the College Football Player of the Year. Previously called the Quarterback of the Year Award , this accolade differed from the Sammy Baugh Trophy in that it went to top quarterback, rather than the top passer. Its name was changed to its current identity in 2012, honoring two-time winner Kellen Moore , who became

1140-409: The time he retired, Baugh set 13 NFL records in three player positions: quarterback, punter, and safety. He is considered one of the all-time great football players. He gave birth to the fanaticism of Redskins fans. As Michael Wilbon of The Washington Post says: "He brought not just victories but thrills and ignited Washington with a passion even the worst Redskins periods can barely diminish". He

1178-515: The top college football newcomer. Named in honor of Vlade Janakievski , one of the most accurate placekickers in Ohio State football history, this award was given yearly to the most accurate college football kicker. Named for Paul Brown , this trophy was presented annually to the NFL Coach of the Year. Named for Joseph Carr , this trophy was presented annually (from 1955–1978) to

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1216-534: Was born on March 17, 1914, in Temple, Texas , the second son of James, a worker on the Santa Fe Railroad , and Lucy Baugh. His parents later divorced and his mother raised the three children. When he was 16, the family then moved to Sweetwater, Texas , and he attended Sweetwater High School . As the quarterback of his high school football team (Sweetwater Mustangs), he practiced for hours throwing

1254-536: Was given yearly to the top collegiate defensive lineman . Named for Jack Lambert , this award was given yearly to the top collegiate linebacker . Starting in 1991, the Jack Tatum Trophy was given yearly to the top collegiate defensive back . Named after the legendary Jack Tatum The Archie Griffin Award signifies college football's most valuable player for the entire season. It was named in honor of

1292-571: Was his preferred name for most of his life. He always introduced himself as Sam Baugh and signed his papers and autographs that way. TCU named its football practice facility the Sam Baugh Football Center with that perspective in mind. Baugh's health began to decline after the death of his wife. During his last years, he lived in a nursing home in a little West Texas town called Jayton , not far from Double Mountain Ranch. The ranch

1330-646: Was named an All-American in 1935 and 1936. He also led the Horned Frogs to two bowl game wins, a 3–2 victory over LSU in the 1936 Sugar Bowl , and a 16–6 victory over Marquette in the first annual Cotton Bowl Classic in 1937 after which he was named MVP . He finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1936. In early 1936, Washington Redskins owner George Preston Marshall offered Baugh $ 4,000 to play for them. Originally unsure about playing professional football, he did not agree to

1368-520: Was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1937 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins , the same year the team moved from Boston . He signed a one-year contract with the Redskins and received $ 8,000, making him the highest-paid player on the team. During his rookie season in 1937, Baugh played quarterback (although in Washington's formation he was officially lined up as a tailback or halfback until 1944), safety, and punter, set an NFL record for completions with 91 in 218 attempts and threw for

1406-471: Was the first to play the position of quarterback as it is played today, the first to make of the forward pass an effective weapon rather than an "act of desperation". Two of his records as quarterback still stand: most seasons leading the league in passing (six; tied with Steve Young ) and most seasons leading the league with the lowest interception percentage (five). He is also fourth in highest single-season completion percentage (70.33), most seasons leading

1444-633: Was the second draft held by the National Football League (NFL). The draft took place December 12, 1936, at the Hotel Lincoln in New York City. The draft consisted of 10 rounds, with 100 player selections, two of which would later become members of the Professional Football Hall of Fame . Notable for this draft were the league's draft selections for a planned expansion team, the Cleveland Rams , who were admitted into

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