The Washington Redskins have a long and storied tradition in the National Football League. The countless number of players who have suited up for the team has helped make the story much more full and rich in the history of the franchise. This is the first of a continuing series that will pay homage to these legends that some may or may not remember. There will also be players included who briefly played with the team before finding success elsewhere on the gridiron. Stan Humphries Stan came in a backup behind a young starter in Mark Rypien. Rypien then had his first Pro Bowl season. Humphries got his chance in his second year when Rypien got injured. He played in seven games and tossed 10 interceptions versus three touchdowns. Stan didn't play in his third year with the 'Skins but got a Super Bowl ring after the Redskins won Super Bowl XXVI. He was traded in the following offseason to San Diego after the Chargers' starter, John Friesz, went down with an injury. Humphries ended up throwing the fifth highest total in yards that year. He also helped San Diego win a playoff game, despite playing with a separated shoulder. Friesz and Humphries split time in 1993, but Humphries ended up winning the job at the end. Friesz, having now lost his starting job, went on to play for Washington the following season. That year, 1994, saw Humphries lead the Bolts to the franchise's only Super Bowl. He led the Chargers to one more playoff appearance before having to retire in 1997 from having suffered too many concussions. Mike Thomas One of my personal favorites. Mike came into Washington as a fifth round draft choice. He earned a roster spot and ended up starting after a few injuries to others. He rushed for 919 yards, caught 40 passes, and scored seven times in his 14 games. Thomas was one of the few rookies to ever start for Hall of Fame coach George Allen when he started eight games that year. He was then named the 1975 NFL Rookie of the Year, becoming just the second Redskin ever to garner that award. Mike followed that up with the best season of his career in 1976. Thomas gained 1,101 yards and scored nine times in 13 games. Thomas helped the Redskins clinch a playoff berth by gaining 195 yards on 31 carries. He was named to his only Pro Bowl that year. Thomas gained 806 yards and scored five times the next year, despite dealing with nagging injuries. Thomas was unable to stay healthy in 1978 but did catch 35 balls and gain 533 yards to go with five touchdowns. He was then dealt to the San Diego Chargers and played two more seasons before retiring. He was, at that time, the second leading rusher in Redskins history. R.C. Thielemann R.C. is best remembered for his years as an Atlanta Falcon from 1977 to 1984. Teamed with greats like Jeff Van Note and Mike Kenn, R.C. went to three Pro Bowls from 1981 to 1983. Thielemann ended up with the Redskins in 1985. He only played three games that year. R.C. started 13 games in 1986, then 12 in 1987. That year, he earned a Super Bowl ring when the Redskins won Super Bowl XXII and set eight Super Bowl records. Thielemann started eight games the following year, then retired. R.C. may have had his best years in Atlanta, but he was an integral part of the Redskins' 1987 Super Bowl season. Coy Bacon Coy is a Crazy Canton Cuts subject whose story you can find crazycantoncuts.blogspot.com. He had an amazing career! He started out in the Continental Football League and then joined the Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams. He worked his way into the starting lineup by his second season. Bacon then had 11.5 sacks in 1971, which earned him his first Pro Bowl trip. He was then traded to the San Diego Chargers for All-Pro Quarterback John Hadl in 1973. He took an interception for a touchdown that year. In 1976, Bacon was traded to Cincinnati for Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner. Bacon had 21.5 sacks that year and earned another trip to the Pro Bowl. Coy then went to his last Pro Bowl in 1977. The Redskins attained his services in 1978, and he responded with 15 sacks. He then followed that up with 11 sacks in 1980. Bacon retired after the 1981 season but was coaxed out of retirement by the Washington Federals in the 1983 inaugural season of the fledgling USFL. Sacks weren't counted back then, but historians credit him with over 130. Rich Milot Milot is one of those guys who flew under the radar his entire nine years with the Redskins. He came from Linebacker University, known to others as Penn State. He quickly earned playing time as a rookie. He had a career-high four interceptions in 1980, his second year. He was known for being a complete linebacker and helped the Redskins win Super Bowls XVII and XXII. He ended up with 13 interceptions and had 14.5 sacks (a stat not kept by the NFL until his fourth season) in his career. Milot was a dependable player that defensive coordinator Rich Petitbon kept on the field every down. Barry Wilburn Barry was an eighth round pick of the Redskins in 1985. He started out as an extra defensive back for much of his first two seasons and had three picks during that time. He had earned a starting job late into his second season. Playing opposite Hall of Famer Darrell Green, Wilburn exploded in 1987. He had nine interceptions for 135 yards despite missing four games. He took one interception 100 yards for the only touchdown of his career. He helped the Redskins win Super Bowl XXII when he intercepted two passes. Wilburn was injured much of 1988, playing in 10 games. He still managed four interceptions. He then managed to swipe three picks in just nine games the following year. He then alternated seasons in the CFL and NFL until 1996. He played six games with Cleveland in 1992 and 23 games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 and 96. He also played with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, British Columbia Lions, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Wilburn had one interception in the NFL, with the Eagles, after leaving the Redskins. Many Redskin fans remember Wilburn for being solid when he was healthy enough to get on the field. His 1987 season is certainly one of the better seasons for a cornerback in Redskins history. Nick Lowery This hometown hero lived in Washington D.C. most of his childhood and tried out with the Redskins. He got cut. After a season with the New England Patriots in 1978, the Kansas City Chiefs picked him up in 1980. Nick went on to be a seven-time All-Pro in 18 seasons. When Lowery retired in 1996, he was first in field goal percentage and most field goals made in NFL history. He is currently ranked ninth on the NFL's list of all-time scoring leaders. He is also the first pro athlete to graduate from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
