We continue with the not-really-all-that-official-countdown to the 2023 Washington Commanders regular season. There are exactly 96 days left until the Commanders kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10th.
Here are some notable things about Washington that contain 96 in some way.
96 Jerseys
James Smith-Williams currently wears the number 96 for the Commanders.
Here is a list of the other guys that have worn the number in Washington history:
Houston Bates: 2015-2016
Barry Cofield: 2011-2014
Mike Flores: 1995-1995
Alec Gibson: 1987-1987
Cornelius Griffin: 2004-2009
Treyvon Hester: 2019-2019
Lamont Hollinquest: 1993-1994
Arthur Jones: 2017-2017
Ma’ake Kemoeatu: 2010-2010
Pernell McPhee: 2018-2018
Rich Owens: 1995-1997
Darrell Russell: 2003-2003
Greg Scott: 2002-2002
James Smith-Williams: 2020-2023
Tyrone Williams: 2001-2001
Cornelius Griffin and Barry Cofield will be two players that many fans think of first when they think of jersey number 96.
Other 96 Stuff
Wide Receiver Frank Grant scored a 96 yard touchdown pass from Billy Kilmer in 1975 against the New York Giants. It was the longest touchdown in the NFL in 1975. Grant caught 41 passes for 776 yards and 8 touchdowns that year.
’96 was Washington’s final season at the great RFK Stadium. Their last game in the old girl was a 37-10 trouncing of the Dallas Cowboys. While it must be said that the Cowboys sat starters due to already being in the playoffs, any smashing of the Cowboys is worthy of note.
’96 Season
The 1996 Washington Redskins were 9-7 and finished 3rd of 5 in the NFC East. They scored 364 points (8th) and allowed 312 (13th).
The coach was Norv Turner, and the General Manager was Charley Casserly.
Washington lost two games in overtime that season – one to the San Francisco 49ers and one to the Arizona Cardinals. Given that both the Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles made the playoffs at 10-6, those two overtime losses definitely cost the Redskins a playoff run.
Gus Frerotte, Terry Allen, Ken Harvey and Darrell Green all made the Pro Bowl.
Allen set a franchise record for rushing yards in a season with 1353 – narrowly clipping the previous mark of 1347 held by John Riggins. Allen’s yardage has since been beaten five times – twice by Stephen Davis, twice by Clinton Portis, and once by Alfred Morris – who currently owns the record at 1613 yards.
Allen’s 21 rushing touchdowns were the second highest season total ever for a Redskin, behind John Riggins’ 24 in 1983. Allen’s 16 rushing touchdowns at home in the ’96 season, are still the franchise record.
Other members of that ’96 squad included backup QB Heath Shuler, RBs Stephen Davis and Brian Mitchell, WRs Leslie Shepherd, Henry Ellard, and Michael Westbrook, G Tre Johnson, Ts Joe Patton and Ed Simmons, DT Sean Gilbert, LBs Ken Harvey, Marvcus Patton and Rod Stephens, and CBs Tom Carter and Darrell Green.
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96 more days to go…
