Recently, Joe Theismann gave his blessings to Redskins first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to wear the No. 7 jersey. He did so after requesting to talk with the quarterback of the future before granting permission.
Theismann is the only Redskins player to dawn the No. 7 and had a historic career to many Washington fans. After Theismann suffered a career-ending leg injury in 1985, the Redskins opted not to reissue the number despite never officially retiring it.
For many years, the number has been associated to his legacy. It’s why Haskins made it known he wanted to reach out to Theismann immediately following him being selected 15th overall in April’s NFL Draft by the Redskins.
Despite the rookie and legend working out the situation, it appears the entire ordeal may not have sat well with NBC Sports’ Peter King. The columnist called out Theismann for his approach in the matter in his latest “Football Morning in America” column.
“I think Joe Theismann even seeming to suggest Dwayne Haskins had to kiss his ring before being rewarded with the number seven jersey in Washington is really weird, and a little bit mindful of the Emperor with No Clothes,” King wrote. “Would anyone think that a man with fewer passing yards than Steve Grogan and Jim Harbaugh, with fewer touchdown passes than Earl Morrall and Jon Kitna, with a lower career rating than Kyle Orton and Dave Krieg … should have his number retired?”
Mark Rypien won a Super Bowl. Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl. Brad Johnson and Jeff Hostetler won one. Come on. The fact that Washington never gave Theismann’s number out for years after his gruesome injury is a nice gesture, I suppose. But it’s silly to think he was an all-timer, the kind of player whose number should never be worn again.”
What King is missing is the value Theismann presented for the Redskins throughout his career. His 84 wins are the most by any quarterback in the franchise. He guided them to their first Super Bowl title in 1982. He won NFL MVP in 1983 — something that neither Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, nor Jeff Hostetler can say.
So yes, putting numbers together he may pale in comparison to some of the average quarterbacks in league history, but none meant as much to their team as Theismann. And, that viewpoint may be in large because the Redskins haven’t had a true franchise-caliber quarterback in over 45 years.
However, how he is viewed among the Redskins fans and its history matters most, right?
While King may not have agreed with it, Haskins didn’t balk at the idea. He complied and was rewarded.
Theismann added in his announcement of approval, “Not that I feel like I needed to, but he was respectful enough to ask.”
