Who Wore It Best? Part 4

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May 26, 2020

By Noonefromtampa

Welcome to Part 4 of my new weekly offseason column series that will reflect back on the history of the Redskins franchise by looking at former and current players from the 1960s through the present and the jersey numbers they wore.

This week, we’ll reminisce about jerseys numbered from 30 to 39.

Jersey #30

Some memorable players have worn Jersey #30, including such names as Trung Candidate (RB), LaRon Landry (S), Ike Forte (RB), Nick Giaquinto (RB) and currently Troy Apke (S). The player who it best, though, was return man Brian Mitchell, who should be in the Hall of Fame.  His key stats are:

  • Second on the NFL’s all-time list in all-purpose yardage with 23,330 yards
  • First all-time for combined yards among non-wide receivers
  • Second on the NFL’s all-time special teams touchdowns with 13
  • Third on the NFL’s all-time punt returns for touchdowns with 9

Jersey #31

#31 has been a popular number over the years.  Players include old school players like Charley Harraway (RB), who played on the 1972 Super Bowl team, Clarence Vaughn (RB) from the 1987 and 1991 Super Bowl teams, fan favorite Rock Cartwright (RB), as well as Darryl Pounds (CB), David Terrell (S) and Matt Jones (RB). The player for wore it best was Charley Harraway. While Cartwright broke Brian Mitchell’s single season kickoff return yards with 64 returns for 1,541 yards in 2006, Harraway had the better career, ending up the 13th all-time leading rusher in Redskins history.

Jersey #32

This group has a number of defensive backs and running backs in it with one notable exception: Vernon Dean (CB), Henry Dyer (RB), Ricky Ervins (RB), Ade Jimoh (CB), Robert Kelley (RB), Jack Pardee (LB), Samaje Perine (RB), Jordan Pugh (S), Silas Redd (RB), Keith Thibodeaux (CB), and Kenny Watson (RB). Jack Pardee wore #32 as a player for the Rams and Redskins and later became head coach of the Redskins. Ricky Ervins was a good role player and was on the 1991 Super Bowl team. However, Vernon Dean was the player who wore it best:

  • 11th all time on the Redskins interception list with 21
  • Was on 1982 and 1987 Super Bowl teams
  • Currently the defensive backs coach for Virginia State University

Jersey #33

The only choice here is Hall of Famer Slingin’ Sammy Baugh since nobody else has worn that number.

Jersey #34

The players who wore #34 were: Martin Bayless (S), Mack Brown (RB), Brian Davis (CB), Tony Green (RB), Bobby Hammond (RB), Andre Lott (S), Byron Marshall (RB), Eric Metcalf (RB), Trenton Robinson (S), Byron Westbrook (CB). There is not a big stand out player in this group. Metcalf played 10 games at the end of his career. It comes down to Brian Davis and Byron Westbrook, with Davis getting the nod as the player who wore it best based on his 5 career interceptions as a Redskin.

Jersey #35

There is no outstanding modern-day player with this number. Leomont Evans, Keith Evans, Evan Royster, and Keiland Williams all wore it at some point in their off and on careers. In the modern era, no player wore this number best.

Jersey #36

Timmy Smith, right? Well before giving the nod to a one-game wonder, let’s look at some of the other players who wore this number. Others who have donned #36 are Nehemiah Broughton (FB), Su’a Cravens (S), T.J. Duckett (RB), D.J. Swearinger (S) and Darrel Young (FB). The nod goes to Young over Smith. Young had more career touchdowns and was also a core special teams player.

Jersey #37

Among the players who wore #37 were Larry Centers (RB), Reed Doughty (S), Pat Fischer (CB), Darryl Morrison (S), Gerald Riggs (RB), and James Washington (S). Centers, Riggs and Washington had limited careers in Washington after signing as free agents or coming to the team in trade. The one who wore it best comes down to Doughty and Fischer. Fischer wins hands down – he’s 7th all-time on the Redskins interception list with 27 and played on the 1972 Super Bowl team.

Jersey #38

Not many players with any longevity wore this number except for running backs Clarence Harmon and George Rogers. Harmon was on the 1982 Super Bowl team, while Rogers was on the 1987 Super Bowl team. Harmon was a third down back and Rodgers was the workhorse back who replaced hall of famer John Riggins. The nod goes to Rogers. Some of his key Redskins stats fare:

  • 12th in yards 2,909
  • 6th in rushing TDs with 31
  • 4th in yards per game with an average of 71 yards

Jersey #39

Only a few players have worn this number for the Redskins: David Amerson (CB), Kapri Bibbs (RB), and Otis Wonsley (RB). As a second-round pick, Amerson was a bust, and Bibbs played in just 13 games over two seasons with the team. Wonsley gets the nod as the player who wore it best. He was a Joe Gibbs type team guy, played special teams well and filled in at running back when needed.

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