Washington Commanders Super Bowl Wins: A Look Back at History

The Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Redskins and the Washington Football Team, have a rich history in the National Football League (NFL). While the team has not yet won a Super Bowl championship, they have had some successful seasons and have a dedicated fan base. In this article, we'll take a look back at the team's history, including their Super Bowl appearances and attempts.

The Commanders were founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves and played in the NFL until 1936. The team then moved to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Redskins. The Redskins went on to win three NFL championships, but none of them were Super Bowls. However, the team's history dates back to the 1930s, and it's worth exploring the team's early years and how they became the Commanders we know today.

One of the most notable events in the team's history is the Super Bowl XIII appearance in 1979. The Redskins, led by quarterback Joe Theismann, defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in the championship game. This was the team's first Super Bowl appearance, and it marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise.

The Redskins also had a successful run in the 1980s, led by quarterback Joe Theismann and coach Joe Gibbs. The team won three Super Bowl appearances during this period, including Super Bowl XXII and XXVI. However, they ultimately fell short of winning the championship.

The team's name change to the Washington Football Team in 2020 was a significant change for the franchise. The team announced that they would be dropping the "Redskins" name and logo due to concerns over the name's perceived racism. The team's new name, the Washington Commanders, was revealed in 2022.

Super Bowl Appearances

The Commanders have appeared in four Super Bowls in their history. Here's a brief overview of each appearance:

Super Bowl XVII

The Commanders appeared in their first Super Bowl in 1983, facing off against the Miami Dolphins. The team won the game 27-17, with quarterback Joe Theismann leading the charge.

Super Bowl XXII

The Commanders appeared in their second Super Bowl in 1988, facing off against the Denver Broncos. The team won the game 42-10, with quarterback Doug Williams leading the charge.

Super Bowl XXVI

The Commanders appeared in their third Super Bowl in 1992, facing off against the Buffalo Bills. The team won the game 37-24, with quarterback Mark Rypien leading the charge.

Super Bowl XXVII

The Commanders did not appear in Super Bowl XXVII, as they lost to the Denver Broncos in the NFC Championship Game that year.

NFL Championships

The Commanders have won three NFL championships, but none of them were Super Bowls. Here are the details of each championship:

1937 NFL Championship

The Commanders won their first NFL championship in 1937, defeating the New York Giants 14-7.

1940 NFL Championship

The Commanders won their second NFL championship in 1940, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3.

1942 NFL Championship

The Commanders won their third NFL championship in 1942, defeating the New York Giants 14-6.

Notable Players

The Commanders have had many notable players throughout their history. Here are a few examples:

• Joe Theismann: Theismann was the quarterback for the Commanders from 1974 to 1985. He led the team to Super Bowl XVII and was a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
• Joe Gibbs: Gibbs was the coach for the Commanders from 1981 to 1992. He led the team to three Super Bowl appearances and won two NFL championships.
• Mark Rypien: Rypien was the quarterback for the Commanders from 1986 to 1993. He led the team to Super Bowl XXVI and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
• Art Monk: Monk was a wide receiver for the Commanders from 1980 to 1991. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and holds the franchise record for most receptions in a season.

Coaching History

The Commanders have had many coaches throughout their history. Here are a few notable examples:

• Joe Gibbs: Gibbs was the coach for the Commanders from 1981 to 1992. He led the team to three Super Bowl appearances and won two NFL championships.
• Rich Miyashiro: Miyashiro was the coach for the Commanders from 1992 to 1994. He led the team to the NFC Championship Game in 1992.
• Joe Bugel: Bugel was the coach for the Commanders from 1994 to 1996. He led the team to the NFC East division title in 1995.
• Norv Turner: Turner was the coach for the Commanders from 1994 to 2000. He led the team to the NFC Championship Game in 1996.

Notable Coaches

Here are some notable coaches in Commanders history:

• Joe Gibbs: Gibbs was the coach for the Commanders from 1981 to 1992. He led the team to three Super Bowl appearances and won two NFL championships.
• Rich McKay: McKay was the coach for the Commanders from 1993 to 1997. He led the team to the NFC Championship Game in 1994.
• Dan Snyder: Snyder was the owner and general manager for the Commanders from 1999 to 2020. He oversaw the team's transition to the Washington Football Team.
• Ron Rivera: Rivera