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Upon making the move, the team instantly
won a title. They also signed an innovative rookie quarterback
from Texas Christian University: future Pro Football Hall
of Famer Sammy Baugh. In an era where the forward pass was
rare, the Redskins used it as their primary method of gaining
yards. Baugh also played numerous other positions, including
cornerback and punter.
The
team's early success endeared them to the fans of Washington,
D.C. However, after Baugh's retirement, the Redskins began
a slow decline. Marshall continued to refuse to integrate
the team, despite pressure from the Washington Post and the
Federal Government (a typical comment by Post writer Shirley
Povich was "Cleveland Browns runner Jim Brown integrated
the Redskins' end zone"). Under threat of civil rights
legal action by the Kennedy administration, the team became
the final pro football franchise to integrate, in 1962 when
the Redskins signed future Hall of Famer and wide receiver
Bobby Mitchell.
From
1961 to 1996 the Redskins played at RFK Stadium, named after
civil rights activist and United States Attorney General Robert
F. Kennedy.
In 1997, owner Jack Kent Cooke died. His son, John Kent Cooke,
was unable to pay the death duties for the business, and the
team was later sold to Daniel Snyder in a deal that was the
most expensive in sporting history. Snyder, who grew up as
a Redskins fan and who made his money in cable television,
has made many controversial moves since owning the team. The
most controversial habits Snyder has practiced is the continuous
hiring and firing of head coaches, first firing incumbent
coach Norv Turner, firing replacement Marty Schottenheimer
after only one season, and in 2002, hiring University of Florida
head coach Steve Spurrier to replace Schottenheimer. After
two mediocre years, Spurrier resigned after the 2003 season
with three years left on his contract.
For
the 2004 season, Snyder successfully lured former coach Joe
Gibbs away from NASCAR to return as head coach. Snyder also
expanded FedEx Field to a league-high capacity of 91,665 seats.
The
Redskins are one of only two teams in the NFL with an official
marching band. The other is the Baltimore Ravens, who revived
the band of the city's former NFL team, the Baltimore Colts.
The Redskins' band predates the Colts franchise by about 15
years. Also, the Redskins were the first team to have a fight
song, "Hail to the Redskins."
As
of 2004, Forbes Magazine values the franchise at over $1 billion,
the highest in the NFL and of any U.S. sports franchise.
Founded:
1932
Formerly known as: Boston Braves 1932, Boston
Redskins 1933-1936
Home stadium: FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland
(1997-)
Head coach: Joe Gibbs (2004-) (Previously
coached from 1981-1992)
Uniform colors: Burgundy and Gold
Helmet design: The main helmet is burgundy,
with white and gold trim. It has a Native American profile
on the sides
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Arizona
Cardinals 
