Hail to the Redskins: Gibbs, the Diesel, the Hogs, and the Glory Days of D.C.'s Football Dynasty

“HAIL TO THE REDSKINS: GIBBS, THE DIESEL, THE HOGS, AND THE GLORY DAYS OF D.C’S FOOTBALL DYNASTY” by Adam LazarusHail To The RedskinsA fact-filled and highly entertaining account of the Washington Redskins’ glory days under Joe Gibbs in the 1980s and early 199s, back when the ‘Skins used to actually score points, play defense, and win games. Reading this book will make my fellow Redskins fans pine harder than ever for the good ol’ days.HTTRRANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS (and noteworthy passages):—p. xi: “A smart, rational debate over this topic could fill up every single page of this book. But I think these pages are better used for celebrating and remembering the glory days of the franchise. Doing so without use of the word ‘Redskins,’ however, would be historically inaccurate, clumsy, and ultimately absurd. During the years in which this true story takes place, roughly 1981 through 2007, the professional football team in Washington was known as the Redskins, so I refer to that team and those players as “‘Redskins.’ To do otherwise would be locking a piece of history in the basement or brushing it with a new coat of paint.” A-freaking-men! Too bad the PC Thought Police and snowflakes and SJWs can’t apply that same rational thought to Confederate statues!!—p. 9: “On January 22, 1969, Gibbs agreed to leave Tallahassee for Los Angeles, where he would become John McKay’s offensive line coach at the University of Southern California (USC). Despite a slight pay cut, the job offered several fringe benefits: not only would the growing Gibbs family (Pat was pregnant) be closer to both Joe and Pat’s roots, but USC featured the best running offense in all of college football and they routinely attracted top-tier recruits. In the four years prior to Gibbs’s arrival, the McKay offense churned out two Heisman Trophy–winning ball carriers, Mike Garrett in 1965 and O. J. Simpson in 1968. Both would be playing on Sundays by the time Gibbs arrived on campus, but the Trojans’ ground attack remained college football’s gold standard. With Clarence Davis, Sam Cunningham, and quarterback Jimmy Jones—dubbed the All-Black Backfield—USC pounded opposing Pac-8 defenses, averaging nearly 250 rushing yards per game. Teaching USC’s offensive linemen the specifics and nuances of McKay’s offense came naturally to Gibbs, and not just because he had been a guard and center for nearby San Diego State. Don Coryell invented the I-formation, and upon taking a job as an assistant at USC in 1960, he taught John McKay the entire scheme.” FIGHT ON, TROJANS, and R.I.P. and God bless, John McKay!!! ✌️✌️✌️—p. 26: Mike Rae, Fight On!!—p. 41: “Following the crowd-pleasing effort against Minnesota, ‘The Diesel’ characteristically ignored all interview requests, donned his customary camouflage pants and shirt, and then walked into the parking lot. There he autographed a female fan’s shoe, tossed back a shot of tequila, washed it down with half a can of beer that an old friend handed him, and drove home.” Haha, classic. Oh, the stuff people could get away with back in the day....—p. 46: “Before an eager audience at Tuesday’s press event he [Riggins, that is]regaled dozens of reporters with his insights into the D.C. limelight, explaining, ‘If you’re a public figure in Washington, you’re just a piece of toilet paper: you know you’re going to get smeared, the trick is not to get flushed down.’” LMAO, Riggo, effing priceless!!—pp. 131-132: “The only other school he considered signing with was the University of Southern California. As a fourteen-year-old in 1969, Williams became a fan of the Trojans when head coach John McKay started a sophomore African American quarterback named Jimmy Jones. “There were only two schools I wanted to play for out of high school, either Grambling or USC, mainly because of Jimmy Jones,” Williams said. “Besides Jimmy Raye at Michigan State, there weren’t many black quarterbacks playing at the major universities. So I was a fan of SC, mainly because of that.” But McKay and the Trojans—who won twenty-two games and a Rose Bowl with Jones—didn’t recruit Williams to Southern California in 1973.” Oh, what might’ve been. Still though, one more reason to love the Redskins; HTTR and Fight On, Trojans!!—pp. 135-136: “Nearing the draft, Tampa Bay’s head coach John McKay—the same man who entrusted his high-powered offense to Jimmy Jones nine years earlier—sent a member of his staff to evaluate the prospect. At Carroll High School in Monroe, where the education major was volunteering as a student-teacher, Doug Williams met Joe Gibbs, the Bucs’ new, first-time offensive coordinator. In between classes and lunch with Williams and his girlfriend, Janice, at McDonald’s, Gibbs administered a handful of pop quizzes to test the quarterback’s football knowledge.” What goes around, comes around, all’s well that ends well, etc....

In today's theater of the immediate, few look at modern sports through the prism of history. Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback ever. Bill Belichick is the greatest coach. The Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl, played a week ago, is the greatest of the first 52 Super Bowls. Forget for a second that these debates are subjective. The only way to have that debate is to know what came before.The Redskins, 49ers and Giants were the gold standards of football throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s.This book, by football writer Adam Lazarus, takes a closer look at the Washington Redskins, led by Joe Gibbs, who arguably is actually the greatest coach of the Super Bowl era. Gibbs won three Super Bowls, with three different quarterbacks. None are close to being in the Hall of Fame. Gibbs was a soft-spoken, religious, kind and insanely driven coach who would sleep at the office, too busy to go home. He landed the job only after Bobby Beathard, the general manager, did a hard sell to eccentric team owner Jack Kent Cooke.Success aside, Cooke would hold court, and often complain loudly to Beathard about Gibbs from his box seat.The quarterbacks, Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, Jay Schroeder and Mark Rypien, all have roles in the book, although Williams shines brightest. Williams was the first black quarterback to start a Super Bowl. Steve McNair, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton and Donovan McNabb have all made that seem routine now, but when Williams did it in the 1987 season, it was enormous news. Slights of Williams, including one by a teammate who waves him away during a game, are covered in this book in solid detail. Doug Williams climbed the mountain, and had the best quarter any quarterback could ever have.Also covered: Great draft picks, like when Beathard took Darrell Green 28th overall in the 1983 draft. Green is certainly one of the best secondary players in league history. Art Monk is one of the best receivers, but in an age of showboating receivers, Monk remains quiet and out of the limelight. No one should forget what he accomplished.Some of the best parts of the book were away from the football field, and I don't want to give too much away. Read the book! But here is one: John Riggins had walked away from football and moved back to Kansas. New coach Joe Gibbs tracked Riggins down in Kansas, asking him to come back. Riggins drank beers, while Gibbs pitched a return. Riggins came back, and the Redskins would win a Super Bowl because of him and the famous offensive line, which helped carry the Redskins through a decade of excellence. Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby (put him in the Hall of Fame already), Mark May, Jeff Bostic, Mark Schlereth and the rest of the big men get plenty of ink in the book as well.So is tragic figure Dexter Manley, who is doing much better now. Joe Gibbs played a role there too.If I had one complaint, it’s that the book could have gone longer. I’d like to know more about where these guys are now, what life’s challenges are and if they’ve overcome them. These guys gave me great childhood joy, so I’m curious. But that’s a minor quibble.Decades later, the Redskins have never come close to a return to glory. But for Redskins, and football fans everywhere, Adam Lazarus helps bring us back to happier times, when RFK Stadium shook in old D.C.

HAHA Give it a 4 start because the Redskins don't deserve a perfect score in anything! Really book is well written and it is for my 10 year old who loves the Redskins! If you are a Redskin fan then this is a must have!

This book "Hail to the Redskins" was a gift to a Washington fan who expressed delight upon seeing it. I think it was the best gift I ever gave to this person.

I am a redskin fan since the 70's. With the name change this even means more right now. I lived and breathed for my team.But now to me they have retired.Can't wear redskin in memory of all players that are alumni,It won't stop me.This book is going to put away for safe keeping with all of my memorabilia .

Any Skins fans who grew up in the 80s with Gibbs, Monk, the Diesel, and Mr. Manley will appreciate this book. Its a fun and memorable trip back to the glory days of this great franchise before The Dan took over. You get to relive the first Super Bowl title, the drafting of such immortals as Darrell Green, Dexter Manley, Sean Taylor, and the Hogs, the thrashing of the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII, the near perfect team of 91, and both Gibbs terms as head coach. Highly recommended and a quick, fun, and easy read. #HTTR

Really enjoyed reading this book, it covers the glory days of the Redskins. I'm a Skins fan, but I reckon this will appeal to most NFL fans, especially the old school fans. The question I kept asking myself was 'where did it all go wrong?' The Redskins of today are a shadow of the great teams mentioned in this book. A team transitioned by Joe Gibbs and his staff and players from also ran's into champions in a couple of seasons, and then perennial play off and Superbowl contenders. If you want to read about the stories that went hand in hand with so many winning seasons then this book is for you. Rejoice in the history of the Redskins, the good and the bad. Hail to the Redskins and Adam Lazarus!

Brilliant. If you are old enough to remember those days when the Redskins use to win it all then you will enjoy this.

Brilliant read despite not even being a Redskins fan!I really enjoyed it and I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in American football.

enjoyable