Who Wore It Best? Part 7

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June 15, 2020

By Noonefromtampa

Welcome to part 7 of my offseason column 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, I’ll look at jerseys numbered from 60 to 69, which by modern jersey assignment numbering means defensive and offensive linemen.

Jersey #60

Jersey #60 has been worn in a few Super Bowls by different players. John Wilbur, a guard on the 1972 Super Bowl team, wore it. Fred Stokes wore #60 on the Super Bowl XXVI winning team as a defensive end. However, the player who wore it best was Chris Samuels. Among his career honors were:

  • 6× Pro Bowl (2001, 2002, 2005–2008)
  • 80 Greatest Redskins
  • Redskins Ring of Fame
  • First-team All-SEC (1999)
  • Outland Trophy (1999)
  • Consensus All-American (1999)

Jersey #61

The #61 has a few players which readers might remember. The most obvious being recent player Spencer Long (C/G) along with past players like Mark Adickes (G) (a backup on the Super Bowl XXVI team who also became a Sports Medicine doctor), and Ken Huff (G), a backup on Gibbs 1.0 teams. But the player who wore it best was Casey Rabach, who played center from 2005 to 2010.

Jersey #62

Only a small pool of players have wore #62, including guards Darryl Moore, who played in the early 90’s, and Dan Nugent who played in the late 70’s. The player who wore it best was guard Ray Schoenke, who played 10 years for the Redskins and was on the 1972 Super Bowl team. Ray was one of several Redskins I met growing up in the DC area.

Jersey #63

The #63 comes down to two players, Will Montgomery who played center and guard for 6 years from 2008 to 2013, and Raleigh McKenzie. The one who wore it best goes to McKenzie, a member of the Hogs and two Super Bowl winning teams (XXII and XXVII), who played for the Redskins from 1985 to 1994. He was also named to the 70 Greatest Redskins list.

Jersey #64

Number 64 has been worn by several memorable players over the years, including Manny Sistrunk (DT), who played on 1972 Super Bowl team, Ron Saul (G), who had a twin brother Rich who also played in the NFL, Steve Hamilton (DE) from the Super Bowl XXII team, Andy Heck (T), Mohammed Elewonibi (T), Trevor Matich (C) (now a sports commentator on TV) and Kedric Golston (DT). The player who wore it best was Golston, who rose from being a 6th round pick to a starter who played from 2006 to 2016.

Jersey #65

A player most of you probably don’t remember is Vince Promuto, who was a pretty good guard for the Redskins from 1960 to 1970 and is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. The standout of course is defensive tackle Dave Butz, who came to the Redskins as a free agent and played for 14 years. His career highlights include:

  • 2× Super Bowl champion (XVII, XXII)
  • Pro Bowl (1983)
  • First-team All-Pro (1983)
  • Second-team All-Pro (1984)
  • NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1983)
  • NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
  • Redskins Ring of Fame
  • 70 Greatest Redskins
  • College Football Hall of Fame (2014)

Jersey #66

Many players have worn #66 through the years, including offensive lineman such as Matt Campbell, Chris Chester, Derrick Dockery, Ted Fritsch and Pete Kendall. Also, linebacker Mo Pottios, one of George Allen’s Over the Hill Gang. The who wore it best award goes to Joe Jacoby, one of the best players to not be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His accolades include:

  • 3× Super Bowl champion (XVII, XXII, XXVI)
  • 4× Pro Bowl (1983–1986)
  • 3× First-team All-Pro (1983, 1984, 1987)
  • NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
  • Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
  • 70 Greatest Redskins

Jersey #67

Long snapper Ethan Albright, who played 9 years for the Redskins, is in this group who #67.  Offensive lineman Ray Brown, who had two different stints with the Redskins also wore #67. Players who were not huge fan favorites like Josh LeRibeus (C/G) and Shar Pourdanesh (T) are also in this group. Finally, we get down to Tre’ Johnson (G) and Rusty Tillman (LB). While Tillman was an exceptional special teams player and went on to coach in the NFL, the player who wore it best was Johnson.  He was a road grader in the running game.  Johnson was on 1999 playoff team and was a Pro Bowl selection in that year also.

Jersey #68

At #68 there are offensive lineman Tyler Catalina, Tom Compton and Joe Patton, who was one of the better guards since the Hogs were on the field. But the player who wore it best is no surprise here, guard Russ Grimm. His career highlights include:

  • 3× Super Bowl champion (XVII, XXII, XXVI)
  • 4× Pro Bowl (1983–1986)
  • 4× First-team All-Pro (1983–1986)
  • NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
  • 70 Greatest Redskins
  • Redskins Ring of Fame
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010)

Jersey #69

There are a number of players who wore #69 and played in a few games, such as Luke Bowanko (G), Jason Fabini (T) and Jim Molinaro (T). The competition comes down to Perry Brooks (DT), R.C. Thielemann (G) and Mark Schlereth (G). Charlie Brown was traded to Atlanta for Thielemann as Gibbs tried to shore up the Hogs after a number of injuries. Each of the three played on one Super Bowl winning team for the Redskins. I’m going with Perry Brooks as the player who wore it best. Brooks went from a 7th round pick to starter and played in 92 games from 1978 to 1984.

Next week we will review jersey numbers seventy through seventy-nine.