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Washington Redskins Team History
The Washington Redskins were originally the Boston Braves when they entered the NFL in 1932. In 1933, the Boston Braves moved to play in Fenway Park and officially changed their name to the Redskins. After four seasons at Fenway, the Boston Redskins moved out of Boston and into Washington, DC where they could now be called the Washington Redskins.
In 1937, their first season in Washington, the Redskins won the NFL Championship led by "Slingin'" Sammy Baugh who threw three touchdown passes in the 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears. The same two teams clashed again in the 1940 championship only the result couldn't have been more different as the Bears beat the Redskins 73-0. This completely lopsided loss seemed to be the beginning of the end for the Washington Redskins as they began a slow decline that lasted until the late 60's.
From 1946 - 1968, the Redskins could only manage three winning seasons. The main reason for this collapse was the unorganized way the front office operated. Team owner, George Preston Marshall, was on his last legs and was missing for the majority of meetings that took place to discuss direction. Marshall eventually died in 1969 and Edward Bennett Williams, a prominent DC attorney, took over the team. Williams decided to rename the stadium where the Redskins played to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium when he took over and made the move to hire former great Green Bay Packers' coach, Vince Lombardi. Of course, Lombardi only lasted one season as he died of cancer in 1970.
In 1972, the Washington Redskins began their return to glory by hiring head coach, George Allen. In his first season, Allen led the Redskins to Super Bowl VII where they lost to the historic Miami Dolphins team that was completing their perfect season. Before the loss to the Dolphins, the Redskins played the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship which is where their infamous rivalry began as both teams challenged for the top spot in the NFC most years. George Allen's Redskins made the post season five times out of the seven seasons he coached.
Jack Kent Cooke took over ownership of the Redskins in 1981 and his first order of business was hiring a young coach named Joe Gibbs. It only took Gibbs two seasons to bring a Super Bowl back to Washington. The Redskins beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII for their first of three championships to come in the Gibbs era. Washington also won it all in 1987 (Super Bowl XXII) and 1992 (Super Bowl XXVI). Joe Gibbs retired from coaching in 1993 to persue NASCAR, but as time would tell, he would return.
The Redskins once again struggled after Gibbs left. They juggled starting quarterbacks and head coaches each year trying to regain their NFC prominence. Then in 1997, owner Jack Kent Cooke, passed away and left instructions for his foundation to sell the team. Daniel Snyder stepped in and purchased his lifelong favorite team with the promise to return the Redskins to their glory days. Snyder's strategy so far of signing big name free agents has proven unsuccessful as the team has only made the playoffs twice since he took over in 1999, with the last playoff run coming in 2005.
Washington Redskins Memorable Moments
Against Miami in Super Bowl XVII, the Redskins trailed 17-13. On a fourth and inches play, they handed off to John Riggins who burst up the middle for a 43 yard gain and touchdown that put the Redskins up for good.
Daniel Snyder auctioning off the name of Jack Kent Cooke Stadium to Federal Express... hence the name FedEx Field.
Started the 2001 season off 0-5, then went on a five game tear and still finished the season 8-8. That proved to not be good enough and coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired and replaced by Steve Spurrier.
Joe Gibbs was lured out of retirement in 2004 to help bring respect back into the Washington Redskins franchise.
Washington Redskins Records All-time regular season franchise record: 525 - 484 - 28
All-time playoff franchise record: 23 - 16
All-time franchise passing leader: Joe Theismann - 25206 yards
All-time franchise rushing leader: John Riggins - 7472 yards
All-time franchise receiving leader: Art Monk - 12026 yards
Washington Redskins Playoff Results
2005
NFC Wildcard Game: won 17 - 10 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 10 - 20 at Seattle Seahawks
1999
NFC Wildcard Game: won 27 - 13 vs. Detroit Lions
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 13 - 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1992
NFC Wildcard Game: won 24 - 7 at Minnesota Vikings
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 13 - 20 at San Francisco 49ers
1991
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 24 - 7 vs. Atlanta Falcons
NFC Championship Game: won 41 - 10 vs. Detroit Lions
Super Bowl: won 37 - 24 at Buffalo Bills
1990
NFC Wildcard Game: won 20 - 6 at Philadelphia Eagles
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 10 - 28 at San Francisco 49ers
1987
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 21 - 17 at Chicago Bears
NFC Championship Game: won 17 - 10 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl: won 42 - 10 at Denver Broncos
1986
NFC Wildcard Game: won 19 - 7 vs. Los Angeles Rams
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 27 - 13 at Chicago Bears
NFC Championship Game: lost 0 - 17 at New York Giants
1984
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 19 - 23 vs. Chicago Bears
1983
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 51 - 7 vs. Los Angeles Rams
NFC Championship Game: won 24 - 21 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl: lost 9 - 38 vs. Los Angeles Raiders
1982
NFC Wildcard Game: won 31 - 7 vs. Detroit Lions
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 21 - 7 vs. Minnesota Vikings
NFC Championship Game: won 31 - 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl: won 27 - 17 at Miami Dolphins
1976
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 20 - 35 at Minnesota Vikings
1974
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 10 - 19 at Los Angeles Rams
1973
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 20 - 27 at Minnesota Vikings
1972
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 16 - 3 vs. Green Bay Packers
NFC Championship Game: won 26 - 3 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl: lost 7 - 14 vs. Miami Dolphins
1971
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 20 - 24 at San Francisco 49ers
1945
NFL Championship Game: lost 14 - 15 at Cleveland Rams
1943
NFL Divisional Playoff: won 28 - 0 at New York Giants
NFL Championship Game: lost 21 - 41 at Chicago Bears
1942
NFL Championship Game: won 14 - 6 vs. Chicago Bears
1940
NFL Championship Game: lost 0 - 73 vs. Chicago Bears
1937
NFL Championship Game: won 28 - 21 at Chicago Bears
1936
NFL Championship Game: lost 6 - 21 vs. Green Bay Packers
All-time playoff record: 23 - 16
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference |
Washington Redskins HISTORY 
