Sammy Baugh

Slingin’ Sammy and the Quarterback Who Changed Football Forever

Before Sammy Baugh, football was a game of brute force, dominated by power running and low-scoring affairs. After him, the forward pass became the most dangerous weapon in football. Known as "Slingin' Sammy", Baugh wasn’t just the greatest passer of his era—he was the man who revolutionized the quarterback position and turned professional football into an aerial spectacle.

Baugh was more than just a quarterback. He was also a world-class punter and an elite defensive back, making him one of the most versatile and impactful players in NFL history. Over his 16-year career with the Washington Redskins (1937–1952), he shattered passing records, redefined strategy, and set standards that influenced every great quarterback who followed.

This collection celebrates Sammy Baugh, the man who took the game out of the trenches and into the air, paving the way for the pass-heavy football we see today.

The Numbers That Define Sammy Baugh’s Career

At a time when passing was seen as a secondary option, Baugh proved it could be an offense’s primary weapon. His career statistics reflect his mastery of the forward pass, his dominance in multiple positions, and his long-lasting impact on the game.

Passing Yards: 21,886 (1st in NFL history at the time of his retirement)
Touchdown Passes: 187
Completion Percentage: 56.5% (a stunning number for his era)
NFL Passing Titles: 6 (1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1949)
Interceptions as a Defensive Back: 31
Longest Punt in NFL History: 85 yards (still one of the longest ever recorded)

Career Accolades:

Two-time NFL Champion (1937, 1942)
Seven-time First-Team All-Pro (1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1948)
Six-time NFL Passing Leader
Led the NFL in punting average four times
NFL’s 75th & 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams
Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1963)
Washington Commanders (Redskins) Ring of Fame

Baugh was not just the greatest passer of his generation—he was the first true quarterback in the modern sense, redefining what it meant to play the position.

Two Stories That Showcase Sammy Baugh’s Greatness

1. The Greatest Single-Game Performance in NFL History (1943)

On November 14, 1943, Sammy Baugh had a game that no player has ever matched. In a single contest against the Detroit Lions, Baugh led the league in three different statistical categories—something that may never be replicated:

He threw for four touchdown passes, leading Washington to victory.
He intercepted four passes on defense, completely shutting down the Lions' offense.
He averaged 45.9 yards per punt, winning the field position battle.

A quarterback, a defensive star, and a punting specialist—all in the same game. No one has ever dominated all three phases of the game like Baugh did that day.

2. The 1940 NFL Championship Game – A Nightmare for Chicago

Before the 1940 NFL Championship Game, Chicago Bears head coach George Halas reportedly mocked Baugh and the Redskins' passing attack. The Redskins had beaten Chicago earlier that season, and Halas was confident that Washington wouldn’t be able to do it again.

Baugh and the Bears met in the title game at Griffith Stadium, and what followed was the most lopsided championship game in history.

Final Score: Bears 73, Redskins 0.

Washington was overwhelmed by Chicago’s T-formation offense, and despite Baugh’s best efforts, his passing couldn’t save the Redskins. After the game, a reporter asked Baugh if things would have been different if a dropped pass in the first quarter had been caught.

Baugh’s legendary response: "Yeah. It would have been 73-7."

Even in the worst loss in NFL history, Slingin’ Sammy never lost his sense of humor.

The Most Iconic Sammy Baugh Cards

As one of the NFL’s first superstar quarterbacks, Baugh’s football cards remain some of the most sought-after pieces of vintage memorabilia.

1948 Leaf #34 Rookie Card – The definitive Sammy Baugh card, a rare and highly collectible piece from the early days of football trading cards.
1948 Bowman #22 – A classic, minimalist design that highlights Baugh’s legendary status.
1950 Bowman #35 – One of the final cards of his career, showcasing Baugh as the aging but still dominant field general.

These cards are more than just collectibles—they are a reminder of the quarterback who helped transform the game.

The Legacy of Sammy Baugh

No player in NFL history had more influence on the development of the forward pass than Sammy Baugh. Before him, football was a game of brute force, where teams only threw