Hail Victory: An Oral History of the Washington Redskins - Paperback

by Thom Loverro (Author)

A you-are-there history of one of football's most successful and beloved teams

Front Jacket

The finest sports teams do more than merely entertain fans with their athletic prowess: they inspire loyalty, ignite passion, and cut across social divides to unite entire communities in hope, joy, anguish, anticipation, and shared memories. In all of sports, no team embodies this ideal more completely than the Washington Redskins.

In Hail Victory, Washington sportswriter Thom Loverro reconstructs the glorious history of this storied franchise through exclusive interviews with a host of the greatest and most beloved players ever to wear a Redskins jersey. Together, Loverro and these Redskins legends re-create the most memorable moments in the team's history, both on and off the field.

You'll hear from quarterback Mark Rypien, who relives the stunning 1992 Super Bowl in which the Redskins ran roughshod over a Buffalo Bills defense that had shown them little respect during the run-up to that lopsided victory. Two years earlier, down 33- 14 in the third quarter of a regular season game against the Detroit Lions, coach Joe Gibbs called on third-stringer and placekick-holder Jeff Rutledge to run out the clock in an embarrassing defeat. Rutledge's account of his virtuoso performance in what would become the greatest comeback in NFL history is one of the most inspiring stories in sports.

Joe Theismann, Dexter Manley, and Joe Jacoby relive another unlikely comeback-- the one that brought the Redskins their first Super Bowl victory in 1983. You'll also hear from Hall of Fame receiver Charley Taylor, who remembers his days as the favorite target of legendary quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.

Each outstanding era of Redskins history has been defined by its coach. Jurgensen recountshow football deity Vince Lombardi transformed the team from perennial losers into a force to be reckoned with. George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang" of proven veterans and winners gave the team an emotional identity, but it was the unsung Joe Gibbs who turned these tough contenders into champions. Loverro analyzes the styles and strengths of each Redskins coach, and players' comments provide insight into how the team functioned under each regime.

Featuring eight pages of color photos of Redskins greats in action, Hail Victory is a must-have for Redskins fans and a treat for football lovers all over the world (except those who live in Dallas!).

Back Jacket

A you-are-there history of one of football's most successful and beloved teams

Who is the greatest quarterback in Redskins history? Baugh? Jurgensen? Theismann? Rypien? However you answer that question, you'll find plenty of evidence to support your argument in Hail Victory. Based on sportswriter Thom Loverro's exclusive interviews with a host of the greatest players ever to wear the team jersey, this comprehensive history of the tradition-rich Washington Redskins puts you on the 50-yard line to witness all of the team's most memorable moments and meet its greatest players, and you'll hear what they have to say about the brightest and darkest moments from the Skins' past. You'll discover:

Sonny Jurgensen's last conversation with Vince Lombardi

Jeff Rutledge's account of "the Greatest Comeback in Football History"

Joe Theismann's take on the tackle that ended his career

How George Allen assembled the "Over the Hill Gang"

Joe Jacoby's Hog's-eye view of all three Redskins Super Bowl victories

Gene Pepper's memories of playing with the legendary Sammy Baugh

And much more

You'll also find color photos of outstanding players and coaches in action, including Lombardi, George Allen, Theismann, Jurgensen, Joe Gibbs, and many others. If you love the Skins, you must have Hail Victory!

Author Biography

Thom Loverro is a sports columnist for the "Washington Times." His feature articles have appeared in "Sports Illustrated," the "New York Times," the "Philadelphia Inquirer," "Sport" magazine, and others. He has been a guest on a number of television programs on HBO, ESPN, and many network affiliates.