Redskins Rewind Special Edition: Super Bowl XVII

SmootSmack

They say you never forget your first time. For those of us that are old enough to remember I'm sure we'd all agree that, while the Redskins have won more than one Super Bowl (and have more on the way), there was something special about getting that first ring. For those too young to remember, join us on a trip down memory lane.

After rolling through a strike-shortened season with an 8-1 record, some thought the Redskins might experience a let-down in Super Bowl XVII having just come off an emotional victory over the hated Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship. Was the boy wonder Joe Gibbs any match for the legend Don Shula and his Miami Dolphins? The bettors didn't think so, listing the Redskins as 3-point underdogs.

The Dolphins jumped out to an early lead when wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from David Woodley (what a tragic story he became, from the youngest QB in Super Bowl history to dead just 20 years later). The Redskins used the force of the Hogs to wear down the quickness of Miami's "Killer Bees" defense on the ensuing drive; a Riggo dominated drive that resulted in a Mark Moseley field goal.

After the Dolphins answered with a field goal of their own, the Redskins got creative. The next drive included a Doc Walker reverse for six yards, and a screen to Charlie Brown. On 3rd and 1 at the Miami four, the obvious call was to hand the ball to Riggins. Instead, Gibbs sent all five eligible receivers in motion throwing the Miami defense off and freeing up Alvin Garrett for an easy TD catch. The celebration would be short-lived as the Dolphins' Fulton Walker returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and a 17-10 halftime lead for Miami.

The second half will always be remembered for one play (which we'll get to in a minute), but it was much more than that. It was a half of absolulte domination by the Washington Redskins defense. Miami didn't complete a single pass, out of 11 attempts, in the second half. And the running game was held to under 35 yards.

Late in the third quarter, trailing 17-13, Joe Theismann took part in perhaps the single most important play in franchise history up to that point. And no, it's not the play you're thinking of. With the Redskins deep in their own territory, Joey T threw a pass that was tipped by DE Kim Bokamper. An interception would have been an easy 6 and an almost insurmountable lead. The fearless Theismann went right after Bokamper and knocked the ball out of his hands and out of bounds. Theismann, who finished the game 15-23 for 143 yards and two touchdowns, made no bigger play perhaps all year than that one.

Having averted disaster, the Redskins still were trailing in the 4th quarter when they faced 4th and 1 at the Dolphins 43 yard line. The previous time they had reached the 43-yard line, a flea-flicker resulted in a Lyle Blackwood interception at the 1-yard line. This time they didn't try any trickery, just give the ball to Riggo. Following Otis Wonsley's lead block, Riggins easily got the first down. But then something happened, history was written. Dolphins CB Don Mcneal had slipped when Clint Didier suddenly reversed direction while in motion. This put him a step out of position and forced him to try to arm tackle Riggins. Riggins tossed him aside and plowed ahead. He was gone unless Blackwood (Glen) could catch him...and he couldn't.

The Redskins had the lead and never relinquished it. As Riggins would say later that night "Ron may be the President, but tonight I'm the King" It was the most dominating performance by a running back not only in Super Bowl history, but in playoff history. Riggo, the obvious game MVP, set records for carries (38) and yards (166), and he was the first player to ever rush for 100+ yards in four consecutive playoff games.

With a 27-17 win over the Dolphins in Pasadena, Joe Gibbs won his first Super Bowl ring. Next year, he'll win his fourth.

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dmek25

im old enough to remember.what a day it was.a real rollercoaster with cefalo and then the kickoff return against us.but riggins and the hogs wore them out in the end.