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Redskins Number History: 00 - 0

I have started a little project that I'm publishing over at footballdiner.com and will, over the course of time, endeavor to go through every jersey number in NFL history and select the best player to represent that number.

As you can imagine, some numbers are hard—very hard.

Others are slightly easier. When complying the list before I researched the numbers in more detail I started off going from memory and obviously being a Redskins fan, more Redskins players came out of my head than anyone else.
So as a side project I'm going to go from 00-99 in my blog here but with just Redskin players.

We'll start at at 00 and end on 0. It's always nice to get something out of nothing.

00 - Steve Bagarus, Running back, 1945-46, 1948
Bagarus is the only player in Redskins history to wear 00 and given that it is a number you can no longer use he'll retain that unique place in the teams history.

Bagarus was actually a useful player though. Legendary Redskins Quarterback Sammy Baugh loved to throw to Bagarus out of the backfield and over his three seasons as a Redskins Bagarus amassed over 1100 yards receiving, over 1100 return yards and over 300 yards rushing with 10 trips to the end zone.

Baugh had some fine targets over his career in Washington but rated "Bugsy" (as he was known) and Bones Taylor as the best receivers he ever threw to.

Bagarus played his college ball at Notre Dame having being born and raised in the area and gaining attention as a high school star.

He would start his pro career in the Pacific Coast Pro Football League with the San Diego Bombers before joing the Redskins. After two years he was traded to the Rams but broke his leg and was waived so he then returned for one last season in Washington before retiring.

The "slippery, shifty, side-stepping, pace changing ghost of the gridiron" may not have had a long career, but he has his place in Redskins folklore.

0 - Johnny Olszewski, Fullback, 1958-60

More famed for his years in the backfield of the Chicago Cardinals along with Hall of Famers Charlie Trippe and Ollie Matson. He is also on of the University of California's most revered historical stars with many great years in the Cal backfield of the early 50's.

He would enjoy 2 pro bowl seasons as a Cardinal but also had his second highest rushing total in a season as a Redskins in 1957 when he broke the half century mark.

Interestingly, Olszewski still has a link to the NFL of recent times as the Uncle of Raiders QB Marques Tuiasosopo.

Next time.........numbers 1 and 2.

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Best of the American League
Tampa Bay
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Chicago
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Minnesota
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Los Angeles
17%
Texas
27%
Total votes: 270

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