Sammy Baugh, 1943: The Greatest Season?

SI Staff | Nov 14, 2013

Sammy Baugh, 1943: The Greatest Season?

Slingin’ Sammy, who played 16 seasons in Washington, was also Smilin’ Sammy. (AP)

Slingin’ Sammy, who played 16 seasons in Washington, was also Smilin’ Sammy. (AP)

Baugh (33) being tackled during the 1937 NFL Championship Game, a 28-21 Redskins victory over the Bears at Wrigley Field. (AP)

Baugh (33) being tackled during the 1937 NFL Championship Game, a 28-21 Redskins victory over the Bears at Wrigley Field. (AP)

Though rosters were depleted in Baugh’s standout ’43 season, he excelled both before and after the war too. (Pro Football Hall of Fame/AP)

Though rosters were depleted in Baugh’s standout ’43 season, he excelled both before and after the war too. (Pro Football Hall of Fame/AP)

1942 NFL Championship Game: Baugh’s fourth-quarter interception in the endzone sealed another title-game victory over Chicago. (AP)

1942 NFL Championship Game: Baugh’s fourth-quarter interception in the endzone sealed another title-game victory over Chicago. (AP)

Baugh leaving the field in the last game of his 16th and final NFL season, in 1952. (AP)

Baugh leaving the field in the last game of his 16th and final NFL season, in 1952. (AP)

Swarmed by fans after his farewell game in ’52. (HB/AP)

Swarmed by fans after his farewell game in ’52. (HB/AP)

Pictured in 1999 with a young Peyton Manning. (Gregory Heisler/Sports Illustrated)

Pictured in 1999 with a young Peyton Manning. (Gregory Heisler/Sports Illustrated)

Baugh at his ranch in Rotan, Texas, in 1994. A member of the Hall of Fame’s charter class in 1963, he died in 2008 at the age of 94. (Phil Huber /Sports Illustrated)

Baugh at his ranch in Rotan, Texas, in 1994. A member of the Hall of Fame’s charter class in 1963, he died in 2008 at the age of 94. (Phil Huber /Sports Illustrated)

Sammy Baugh’s Redskins helmet. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Sammy Baugh’s Redskins helmet. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)