Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 20 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 20?
Two players will get a special mention, while one player stands far and away as the best in franchise history to wear No. 20.
Gerry Allen (1967-69) was a running back who did not have a stellar career. But he is known for one huge play in Washington NFL history. In week 1 of the 1968 season, Washington traveled to Chicago to face the Bears. Backed up on their one 1-yard line, Sonny Jurgensen dropped back into the end zone, looked downfield toward the left sideline, and found Allen in stride for a 99-yard touchdown.
Ken Stone (1973-75) was drafted by Washington 245 overall in the 1973 draft. Stone played mostly free safety. Unfortunately for Stone, his most agonizing memory in the NFL occurred while a Redskin. It was Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974. The Washington defense battered Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach on several plays, the last resulting in Staubach being knocked out of the game. Rookie Clint Longley entered with Washington leading 16-3 and threw a touchdown pass to Billy Joe Dupree, making it 16-10. Then with Washington leading 23-17, Stone appeared confused in coverage, and Drew Pearson ran right by him; Longley saw him and hit Pearson for the game-winning 50-yard pass. Stone actually had five interceptions that 1974 season for Washington, but unfortunately is most remembered for this historic moment.
Joe Lavender (1976-82) came to Washington in a trade where the Eagles received a No. 6 pick in 1977, a No. 5 in 1978 and a No. 4 in 1979 for Lavender. George Allen had made the trade, and when Bobby Beathard became Washington GM in 1978, knowing Lavender had already been a starter in 1976 and 1977 said, “I think the trade for Lavender was a real good deal.”
Here is why: Lavender intercepted 8 passes in 1976 and four more in 1977. In his seven Washington seasons, the former San Diego State corner played in 99 games, starting 91. He intercepted 29 passes, returning 1 for a touchdown, and also recovered four fumbles.
Lavender was a Pro Bowler in both the 1979 and 1980 seasons. His greatest game came in 1980 when Lavender intercepted San Diego Chargers QB Dan Fouts three times, returning the first for a 51-yard touchdown.
In Joe Gibbs’s first season (1981), Lavender started all 16 games at age 32, intercepting four passes. In his final season of 1982, Lavender was a nickel back as the Redskins won the NFC and Super Bowl XVII over Miami.