Who Wore It Best? Part 6

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June 9, 2020

By Noonefromtampa

Welcome to Part 6 of my new offseason column series that reflects back on the history of the Redskins franchise by looking at former and current players and the jersey numbers they wore.

This week, it’s jerseys numbered from 50 to 59, which by modern jersey assignment requirementd means linebackers and offensive lineman.

Jersey #50

Jersey #50 has been a mixed bag of players over the years, mainly linebackers. The linebackers include Raven Caldwell, Martell Spaight, Rob Jackson (one of three numbers he wore in various stints with the Redskins), Larry Kubin, Khary Campbell, Derek Smith and Pete Wysocki.  Wysocki was one of three Canadian Football League players George Allen brought to the Redskins (Joe Theismann and Moses Denson being the other two). He passed away too soon at age 54 in 2003 from cancer. The player who wore it best was Derek Smith.  While Jackson had 7.5 sacks during his stints, Smith was a 4-year starter at linebacker and played on the 1999 playoff team.

Jersey #51

The #51 has had a few memorable players such as Hog Sty friend Robert Henson and current linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton. But for any long time Redskins fan, the player who wore it best was Monte Coleman. Coleman played on all three Super Bowl winning teams, is a 70 Greatest Redskins selection and a Redskins Ring of Fame pick, and is one of the fastest linebackers to ever play for the Redskins. He played a variety of roles over the years from special teams to nickel linebacker to defensive starter. He is also one of the answers to a great Redskins trivia question:

  • Who are the three Redskins players whose careers spanned across three different decades? [I’ll put the answer at the bottom of this column.]

Jersey #52

At #52, we have centers Matt Elliott and Cory Raymer, plus linebackers Ryan Anderson, Lemar Marshall, Rocky McIntosh, Keenan Robinson and Neal Olkewicz. While McIntosh and Raymer had good careers for the Redskins, Olkewicz was the heart of the defense from 1979-1989, played on two Super Bowl winning teams and is a member of the 70 Greatest Redskins. Olkewicz gets the player who wore it best award.

Jersey #53

We have several good players at this number and a large pool to choose from, from linebackers Zack Brown, Will Compton, Eddie Mason, Harold McClinton, Marvcus Patton and Marcus Washington to center Jeff Bostic. The who wore it choice goes to Jeff Bostic, founding member of the Hogs and member of 3 Super Bowl winning teams, playing from 1980 to 1993 for the Redskins. His accolades include:

  • Pro Bowl (1983)
  • All-Pro (1983)
  • 70 Greatest Redskins
  • Washington Redskins Ring of Fame

A throwback moment is also warranted here. LaVern “Torgy” Torgeson also wore number 53 for the Redskins as a player back in the 1950s (Pro Bowl selection in 1955 and 1956). However, he is best remembered as a member of the Redskins defensive coaching staff (1959-1961, 1971-1977, 1981-1993) under Joe Gibbs, also being part of 3 Super Winning teams. Torgy passed away in 2015 at the age of 86.

Jersey #54

At #54 we have a hodgepodge of players and one standout. Linebackers H.B. Blades, Mason Foster, Greg Jones, Darryl Tapp and Jeremiah Trotter, plus center Bob Kuziel all wore that number. But the standout was Kurt Gouveia. One of Gouveia’s most memorable plays is his interception of Jim Kelly in Super Bowl XXVI, setting up a short field score for the Redskins.

Jersey #55

This is another number which has a standout that is easy to name, but first let’s see who else wore that number. Good players such as linebackers Mel Kaufman, Andre Collins, Kevin Mitchell , defensive end Jason Taylor and center Jeff Uklenhake were also #55 over the years. The standout of course is Hall of Fame linebacker Chris Hanburger. He was an 18th round draft pick (#245) which would have been a 7th round pick in today’s draft. His career highlights include:

  • 9× Pro Bowl (1966–1969, 1972–1976)
  • 5× First-team All-Pro (1969, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976)
  • 1x Second-team All-Pro (1974)
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1972)
  • 70 Greatest Redskins
  • Washington Redskins Ring of Fame

Jersey #56

There are only a few worthwhile mentions here with one standout player. Linebackers Lavar Arrington, Perry Riley and long snapper Trey Junkin wore the #56. Arrington was drafted high with the expectation that he would become the next Lawrence Taylor, but his career did not match the expectation. He will be forever remembered for his hit that put Troy Aikman into retirement. The standout who wore it best is center Len Hauss. His accolades include:

  • 5× Pro Bowl (1966, 1968–1970, 1972)
  • 2× Second-team All-Pro (1974, 1975)
  • 70 Greatest Redskins
  • Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
  • Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (1981)

Jersey #57

This season should see Nick Sundberg become the longest tenured player who wore #57 as well as the player who played the most games wearing that jersey number. But who would give a long snapper the who wore it best award? Sundberg has been a consistent special teams player for almost a decade while exceling off the field in his community efforts with Loads of Love program. He is twice the Redskins nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (2017, 2019). However, who wore it best comes down to two linebackers: Rich Milot and Ken Harvey. Milot had 13 career interceptions and 14.5 sacks for the Redskins while playing in 3 Super Bowls. Harvey, a free agent from the Cardinals, had 1 interception and 41.5 sacks with 4 Pro Bowl selections as a Redskins player, along with a selection as 70 Greatest Redskins. This may be controversial but I’m going with Milot as the player who wore it best, as Harvey never played on a playoff team as a Redskin.

Jersey #58

There are many good stories that go with this number. Carl Banks wore number #58 in his one season as a Redskin. Junior Galette had the number for 3 seasons as a Redskin, but was only on the field for 16 games. Antonio Pierce wore the number before he was allowed to depart in free agency in one of the dumber personnel moves made by the team. The player who wore it best was Wilbur Marshall, who was part of the 1991 Super Bowl team. He was selected to both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 1992, and was also named as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins.

Jersey #59

This one comes down to a few players linebackers Shawn Barber, Brad Dusek and London Fletcher. While Barber and Dusek were good linebackers, the player who wore it best was defensive leader London Fletcher. Fletcher is part of the Redskins Ring of Fame and was Pro Bowl selection 2009-12 and 2nd team All-Pro in 2011-12.

Next week, we will review jersey numbers sixty through sixty-nine.

Trivia Answer:

Sammy Baugh (1937-1952)

Monte Coleman (1979-1994

Darrell Green (1983-2002)