Time Machine: Middle Linebackers #ThrowbackThursday

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Welcome to the Time Machine! The Throwback Thursday feature that allows you to swap current players with former players. Today’s edition is for middle linebackers.

You can either choose to keep the current player that holds the roster spot, or you can travel back in time in the Redskins Commandelorean, and pick up one of three players that played that position at some point.

Washington Time Machine

You can vote for what player you would choose on our Twitter account.

The current Washington middle linebacker is Cole Holcomb.

Time Machine Middle linebacker

The three players available to you are:

London Fletcher | Neal Olkewicz | Sam Huff

Here is a little bit of information about each player:

London Fletcher

Fletcher is affectionately known as the Ironman, and for good reason. He played in 256 consecutive NFL games – 112 of them in Washington. He never missed a single game in his career, and his total is tied for sixth all-time in NFL history.

The four time Pro Bowler was also a tackling machine. His 1,384 solo tackles ranks second to only Ray Lewis (1,568) in NFL recorded history. He is credited with 2,039 combined tackles.

He spent his first four seasons with the St. Louis Rams after going undrafted, before moving on to Buffalo for five seasons, and then to Washington.

All four of his Pro Bowl selections came as a Redskin, and he led the league in combined tackles in 2011 with 166.

Neal Olkewicz

Olkewicz played 11 seasons and 150 NFL games from 1979-1989 – all of them for the Redskins. He originally signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland. While at Maryland, he played in four Bowl games.

He was a key member of Washington’s first two Super Bowls, and was the team’s defensive MVP in 1988.

He finished his career with 12 sacks, six interceptions, and one touchdown.

Sam Huff

Huff spent the last five of his 13 illustrious NFL seasons with Washington.

He was a five time Pro Bowler, as well as a two time First Team All Pro, and four time Second Team All Pro. He is a member of both the New York Giants Ring of Honor, and the Redskins Ring of Fame.

Drafted by the Giants in the 3rd round (30th pick), he appeared in 168 NFL games – 66 of them for Washington. He is credited with 30 career interceptions, 17 fumble recoveries, and 5 touchdowns. He also had 29 (unofficial) sacks.

Huff was inducted into the NFL Hall Of Fame in 1982. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. 

Huff also spent a lot of time in the Redskins broadcast booth. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2021 at the age of 87.

Summary

So who are you picking up in the Commandelorean? Make sure you visit our Twitter account, and register a vote.