The Washington Redskins 1937 championship represents one of the most remarkable debut seasons in NFL history. In their first year in the nation’s capital, the Redskins captured their inaugural NFL title behind rookie sensation Sammy Baugh.
Scoring summary
First quarter
WAS – Cliff Battles 7-yard run (Riley Smith kick), 7–0 WAS
CHI – Jack Manders 10-yard run (Manders kick), 7–7 tie
Second quarter
CHI – Manders 37-yard pass from Bernard Masterson (Manders kick), 14–7 CHI
Third quarter
WAS – Wayne Millner 55-yard pass from Sammy Baugh (Smith kick), 14–14 tie
CHI – Edgar Manske 4-yard pass from Masterson (Manders kick), 21–14 CHI
Fourth quarter
WAS – Millner 78-yard pass from Baugh (Smith kick), 21–21 tie
WAS – Ed Justice 35-yard pass from Baugh (Smith kick), 28–21 WAS
The Route: The Move to Washington
The 1937 season began with a historic franchise relocation. Owner George Preston Marshall moved the team from Boston to Washington, D.C., in February 1937. Poor attendance in Boston had motivated Marshall to seek a more supportive market for his championship aspirations.
Marshall’s decision proved immediately beneficial for the Redskins’ 1937 championship hopes. Washington fans embraced their new team with enthusiasm and passion. Furthermore, the change of scenery provided fresh energy and motivation for players and coaches alike.
The franchise had won the Eastern Division title in 1936 as the Boston Redskins but suffered a devastating 21-6 loss to Green Bay in the championship game. Consequently, the move to Washington represented a fresh start and renewed championship ambitions.
Ray Flaherty returned as head coach. His innovative offensive strategies had already changed NFL football. The relocation also coincided with the arrival of the most important player in franchise history through the 1937 NFL draft.
Sammy Baugh: Cornerstone of the Redskins 1937 Championship
Sammy Baugh’s arrival in Washington changed everything for the Redskins’ 1937 championship aspirations. The TCU All-American tailback brought unprecedented passing ability to the professional ranks. His nickname “Slingin’ Sammy” perfectly captured his revolutionary impact on the game.
Baugh’s rookie season statistics were extraordinary for that era. He completed 81 of 171 passes for 1,127 yards and 8 touchdowns during the regular season. Additionally, his 47.4% completion percentage led the entire NFL, establishing him as the league’s premier passer.
Not only that, Baugh also punted, played defensive back, and contributed on special teams. This multi-dimensional ability made him invaluable to the Redskins’ 1937 championship campaign.
Ray Flaherty’s offensive system perfectly suited Baugh’s unique skill set. The coach had already pioneered innovative passing concepts, and Baugh’s arrival allowed Flaherty to fully implement his visionary offensive strategies.
Building the Redskins 1937 Championship Team
Ray Flaherty’s coaching innovations were essential to the Redskins’ 1937 championship success. He introduced revolutionary concepts like the screen pass and sophisticated passing routes. These strategic advances gave Washington significant advantages over traditional running-focused opponents.
The offensive line provided exceptional protection for Baugh’s developing passing attack. Their blocking schemes created time for complex pass patterns to develop while opening running lanes that kept defenses honest throughout the championship season.
The receiving corps gave Baugh multiple reliable targets throughout the championship campaign. Veterans like Charley Malone and rookie sensations formed a balanced passing attack. Their route-running precision and sure hands maximized Baugh’s exceptional arm talent.
Special teams coordination became another Flaherty strength during the championship season. The Redskins consistently won field position battles through superior punting and coverage, advantages that proved crucial in close games throughout their championship run.
The 1937 Regular Season and Championship Game Setup
The Redskins’ regular season record of 8-3 earned them the Eastern Division championship. Their offensive production led the entire NFL in several statistical categories, with Baugh’s passing attack revolutionizing how professional football was played and perceived.
The 1937 NFL Championship Game was played at Wrigley Field in Chicago on December 12, 1937. The contest matched the Eastern Division champion Washington Redskins (8-3) against the Western Division champion Chicago Bears (9-1-1).
The Bears entered as defending Western Division champions with tremendous home field advantage. Chicago’s powerful running attack and stingy defense had established them as championship favorites. However, the Redskins arrived with their revolutionary passing offense that had confounded opponents all season long.
Weather conditions on game day favored the Bears’ traditional ground-based attack. The cold Chicago conditions potentially limited the effectiveness of Washington’s passing game. The championship game represented a classic clash of football philosophies: Chicago’s established running attack versus Washington’s revolutionary passing offense.
Game Day: The Redskins 1937 Championship Victory
The Washington Redskins executed their championship game plan to perfection on December 12, 1937. They defeated the Chicago Bears 28-21 in a thrilling championship contest that represented complete validation of the franchise’s relocation and offensive innovations.
The game remained tied 21-21 entering the fourth quarter before Baugh threw a 35-yard touchdown strike to wingback Ed Justice. This dramatic score gave Washington the lead for good and secured their first championship. The touchdown pass exemplified the precision and timing that defined their championship season.
Sammy Baugh’s championship game performance exceeded all expectations. His passing accuracy and decision-making under pressure demonstrated championship-level quarterbacking. Additionally, his defensive contributions as a safety provided crucial stops at key moments.
Ray Flaherty’s coaching decisions proved decisive in securing the championship. His strategic adjustments and play-calling kept Chicago’s defense off-balance. The innovative offensive schemes that defined the season reached their ultimate expression in championship victory.
Strategic Keys to the Redskins 1937 Championship
The Redskins’ 1937 championship victory resulted from superior offensive innovation and strategic execution. Ray Flaherty’s revolutionary passing concepts overwhelmed Chicago’s traditional defensive approach, transforming professional football and establishing new strategic standards.
Ball control through the passing game became the cornerstone of championship success. The Redskins sustained long drives that kept Chicago’s potent offense off the field, preventing the Bears from establishing their preferred grinding running attack.
Special teams execution provided crucial field position advantages throughout the championship game. Baugh’s punting ability consistently flipped field position in Washington’s favor. These contributions proved essential in the closely contested championship battle.
The team’s mental toughness emerged during the game’s most pressure-packed moments. The Redskins never panicked despite Chicago’s comeback attempts and hostile crowd, reflecting the championship composure that defined their entire season.
The Championship’s Impact and Legacy
The championship victory validated every aspect of the franchise’s transformation. The relocation to Washington had provided the perfect environment for championship success, while the innovative offensive system revolutionized professional football.
Sammy Baugh’s rookie championship performance established him as the league’s premier quarterback. His passing statistics and championship leadership exceeded all expectations for a first-year player, launching a Hall of Fame career that would define excellence for decades.
Ray Flaherty’s coaching reputation reached new heights following the championship triumph. His strategic innovations influenced NFL offensive philosophy for years to come, validating his vision of football as a sophisticated strategic contest.
The Redskins’ 1937 championship established revolutionary offensive principles that influenced football for decades. Flaherty’s passing concepts became standard practice throughout the NFL, while Baugh’s championship performance redefined the quarterback position’s importance and potential.
Historical Context and Foundation of Success
The 1937 NFL season occurred during the Great Depression’s later years. Professional football provided welcome entertainment during difficult economic times, with the championship victory offering hope and inspiration to fans facing challenging circumstances.
The championship coincided with professional football’s growing popularity and legitimacy. The league was establishing itself as a major entertainment institution, and the championship game’s excitement attracted new fans and media attention.
The franchise’s successful relocation and immediate championship created a model for future team movements. Washington’s enthusiastic support demonstrated the importance of community connection in professional sports, showing how proper market alignment could enhance competitive success.
The victory established the foundation for sustained excellence and future success. The combination of innovative coaching, transcendent talent, and community support created a winning formula that represented the beginning rather than the culmination of greatness.
Conclusion: The Dawn of a Dynasty
The Washington Redskins’ 1937 championship stands as one of sports’ most remarkable debut achievements. The franchise’s first year in Washington culminated in championship glory, validating every aspect of their transformation and establishing standards of excellence that defined the organization for generations.
Ray Flaherty’s innovative coaching and Sammy Baugh’s transcendent talent created championship magic. Their partnership revolutionized professional football and established new strategic possibilities, with the 1937 championship representing the perfect fusion of vision and execution.
The victory’s significance extends far beyond trophies and individual recognition. It demonstrated the power of innovation and adaptation in achieving competitive success, showing how proper preparation and strategic thinking could overcome traditional advantages.
The championship game’s 28-21 final score tells only part of this remarkable story. Behind those numbers lies a tale of transformation, innovation, and championship character. The Redskins’ 1937 championship truly marked the dawn of a dynasty and created lasting football history.