Baltimore Sports Today

Baltimore Sports News Continuously Updated

Commanders season opener in 40 days: Washington’s best No. 40

by

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 40 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 40?

Honestly, there has not been a great Washington player who wore No. 40 for the Burgundy and Gold.

Here are briefly three short summaries of three players who had their good moments and thus receive some honorable mention.

Reggie Brooks (1993-95) was the 45th overall selection by Washington in 1993. He could have become the greatest No. 40 in franchise history. The former Notre Dame running back had a huge rookie season rushing for 1,063 yards, averaging 4.8 yards a carry. He also sported the longest carry in the NFL that season with an 85-yard touchdown. But his career went terribly south and very quickly. Brooks gained 297 yards on 100 carries, though he was not injured in 1994. In 1995, he managed only two rushing attempts. A change of scenery did not help, as he managed only 368 yards for Tampa ending his career. It was well-documented that Brooks was a great gamer in those days, having won the first two Madden Bowl tournaments.

Lonnie Sanders (1963-67) in the 1963 draft was selected 22nd overall. A defensive back out of Michigan State played five seasons for Washington. He intercepted nine passes and recovered one fumble. He started all 14 games in his first two seasons in Washington. Following his time with Washington, Sanders played his final two seasons with the St Louis Cardinals.

Alvin Walton (1986-91) was selected 75th overall by Washington in the 1986 NFL draft. The safety from Kansas was a hard-hitter and would come up hard and effectively defending the run. In his six seasons with Washington, Walton played in 77 games, starting 62. Walton intercepted 12 passes, returning two for touchdowns, recovered one fumble and collected five quarterback sacks. Walton started in Washington’s Super Bowl XXII win over Denver. Washington’s Super Bowl XXVI championship team of 1991 was Walton’s last season. He started the first two games, was injured, and his replacement Danny Copeland played so well that when Walton returned, his playing time was greatly limited. His final game was the NFC title win over Detroit, and was designated inactive for the Super Bowl.