Sammy Baugh is dead at 94. For those who would doubt the assertion in the subject line, consider the following (insert “arguably” if you want to be a pedant).

• Baugh invented the modern quarterback position. He led the league in passing as a rookie. He put up over 21,000 yards passing in when the game was still dominated by runners (he was drafted as single-wing tailback). He remains (with Steve Young) the record-holder for most seasons leading the league in passing, and is the sole record holder for most seasons with the fewest interceptions. The Hall of Fame notes “Baugh still ranks second in numerous other statistical marks such as most seasons leading the league in pass attempts, most seasons leading in completions, most seasons leading the league in completion percentage and is tied for second for most seasons leading the league in passing yardage.” In 1945, his 109.9 passer rating was just slightly above the league average of 47.4 (the second-most dominant season by that measure).
• He was the greatest punter in NFL history, retiring with a career (1937–52) average of 45.1 yards-per-punt (only surpassed by an active player, Shane Lechler (2000–)). He averaged 51.4 yds./punt in 1940 (never surpassed), 48.7 in 1941 (third all-time), and 48.2 in 1942.
• He was a dominating defensive back.
• Baugh’s 1945 completion percentage, 70.33%, stood as the NFL’s record until the pass-happy year of 1982, when Ken Anderson surpassed it by a whopping 0.22%.
• In 1943, he led the league in passing, punting, and interceptions.

Baugh was an obvious choice for the Hall of Fame’s first class and is routinely named one of the top pro and college players of his time and all-time. He also had a sense of humor and irony. When asked after the Redskins’ 73–0 destruction in the NFL championship by their arch-rival Bears (using Clark Shaughnessy’s revolutionary T formation), if the touchdown Charlie Malone, one of his receivers, dropped early on would have made a difference in the outcome, had it been caught, he replied in his Texan drawl, “Sure. It would have made it 73–7.”

On a personal note, the Volgi’s step-uncle caught a pass from Baugh in 1948 when the Redskins’ star visited the city champion Central [now Cardozo] High School team. Now 80, he says he can still feel how much his hands hurt. (Central beat Gonzaga, for those keeping score in D.C.)

Rest in peace.

Obituaries in the Washington Post, Washington Times, AP, ESPN, Dallas Morning News, redskins.com, The Sporting News (2). Sparty & Friends concur with us. Wilbon. Boswell. Daly.

Confucius, Œc. Vol.

Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu.