Joe Theismann
Today Joe Theismann is probably best known for the gruesome leg injury that ended his career in 1985, but in the few seasons leading up to that he had become one of the top quarterbacks in the game, and who knows how much more he would have accomplished had he been able to keep playing.
He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1971, but after being unable to reach a contract agreement, he elected to play in the CFL, where he was an all-star twice in three seasons. In 1974, Miami gave up and traded his rights to Washington, and he decided to move back to the States and join his new team. He was a punt returner for his first couple of seasons, before moving up to backup quarterback for two years, then finally starting quarterback in 1978, at the age of 29.
He improved slowly year by year, increasing his passing yardage each year through 1981, when he threw for 3568, but Washington could not make the playoffs. That changed in 1982, when the season was shortened to 9 games by a strike. Theismann led the Redskins to an 8-1 record, tops in the league, then plowed through the first three rounds of the playoffs, winning all three games by at least 14 points.
The Redskins relied heavily on running back John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII, but it was Riggins who made one of the biggest plays of the game. Late in the third quarter, with his team trailing 17-13, Theismann's pass was tipped at the line and was about to be intercepted when Theismann stepped in and batted the ball away, preventing a sure touchdown and a double-digit deficit. Washington went on to win 27-17.
The following season was the best of his career, as he threw for career highs of 3714 yards and 29 touchdowns, and again led Washington to the league's best record, this time at 14-2. He was named the league MVP for his performance, and it kept going in the playoffs, as the Redskins outscored their first two opponents 75-28 on their way to a repeat appearance in the Super Bowl. He lost the chance at a repeat title, though, when he was outplayed by Jim Plunkett and the Raiders, losing the game 38-9.
1984 brought another playoff berth and division title, but they were surprised by the Chicago Bears in the playoffs, ending their season prematurely. He was off to a rough start in 1985 when his career ended on a sack by Lawrence Taylor. As he was taken down, his lower leg was snapped in half, and when it healed, his right leg was significantly shorter than the left, forcing him to retire.
He got a late start on his career, and it ended earlier than expected, but at his peak in 1982 and 1983, he led his team to a 28-4 overall record and won an MVP and a Super Bowl. The strength of those two seasons is what earned him this position on the all-time list.
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