Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 43 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 43?
When Larry Brown (1969-76) retired after the 1976 season, no one had worn jersey No. 43 during a regular season game until, for some reason, in 2021 when outside linebacker Nate Orchard donned No. 43 for two games that season.
There is good reason No. 43 has been set aside for 46 of the last 47 seasons. Larry Brown was a Kansas State running back that Vince Lombardi drafted in the 1969 NFL draft at 191 overall.
One of the toughest running backs in Redskins history. Larry Brown.. pic.twitter.com/OGzbUqAd1H
— Alphonso Givens (@joker38947819) October 14, 2018
Brown rushed for 888 yards averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season. In 1970, Brown led the NFL in rushing with 1,125 yards and rushing yards per game with 86.5. He impressively averaged 4.7 yards per carry and was again a Pro Bowler and was voted All-Pro 1st team. 1971 was a third consecutive Pro Bowl as Brown rushed for 948 yards in 13 games.
Brown’s greatest season was 1972, leading Washington to the NFC East title with an 11-3 record, the NFC Championship and Super Bowl VII. Brown rushed for 1,216 yards in only 12 games! Thus, he led the NFL in rushing yards per game at 101.3 and yards from scrimmage with 1,689. As a result, Brown was AP 1st team All-Pro, AP Offensive Player of the Year, and AP Most Valuable Player.
But in 1973, Brown’s knees began to show some wear and tear, limiting Larry to 860 yards. Brown could have retired after that season, but he persevered trying to play. However his final three seasons, Brown was limited to 430, 352 and 56 rushing yards.
Larry Brown had achieved a great accomplishment, rushing for over 5,000 yards in his first five seasons, which were 14-game schedules. Over those five years, with Brown gaining 5,467 rushing yards, he became the third man in NFL history to average more than 1,000 yards per year in his first five seasons. The others were Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson.
He finished his career with 5,875 rushing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns, 238 receptions out of the backfield, 2,485 receiving yards, averaging 10.4 yards per reception, 20 receiving touchdowns, and 8,360 total yards from scrimmage.
On the day Larry Brown retired, Washington head coach George Allen said, “This is Larry’s day, Larry’s show. “There won’t be many Larry Browns in our lifetime.”