Bobby Beathard Selected for Induction into Hall of Fame

February 3, 2018

by Steve Thomas

Former Washington Redskins General Manager Bobby Beathard was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 tonight.

Beathard served as Redskins GM from 1978 – 88 and was the principal architect of the franchise’s golden era teams of the 1980s, which included three Super Bowl visits and two championships in 1983 and 1988.  Beathard’s influence was also felt on the famed 1992 team, which is considered to be one of the greatest teams in NFL history.  During Beathard’s reign as GM, the Redskins went 11 – 3 in the postseason, for a league-best .786 winning percentage.

Beathard’s draft successes including Hall of Fame enshrinees wide receiver Art Monk, cornerback Darrell Green, and guard Russ Grimm, as well as several other Redskins luminaries such as linebacker Monte Coleman, defensive ends Charles Mann and Dexter Manley, and quarterback Mary Rypien.  Beathard also signed several undrafted free agents who were critical to the team’s championship runs, such as three time Hall of Fame finalist, tackle Joe Jacoby, and center Jeff Bostic.  He also brought USFL luminaries Doug Williams, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders to the organization.

Beathard began his NFL career in 1963 as a scout in the Kansas City Chiefs organization.  He later served with the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins before being hired by the Redskins as the team’s general manager.  He then returned to the NFL after his retirement from the Redskins to become the general manager of the San Diego Chargers, where he stayed from 1990 to 2000.  His Chargers team played in the 1994 Super Bowl.

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder made the following statement about Beathard’s selection:  “Bobby’s illustrious NFL career made him truly deserving of this honor, and the entire Washington Redskins family could not be prouder that the Pro Football Hall of Fame has secured the place in history he so rightly deserves. Bobby was the architect of many of our dearest memories as Redskins fans, and the run of dominance he helped build will always hold a special place in our minds and in our hearts. We cherish his contributions to the Washington Redskins, and we are proud tonight to see that his contributions to the game will be forever immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Redskins team president Bruce Allen stated, “I am happy for Bobby and the entire Beathard family upon hearing of this richly deserved honor. His legacy has always lived forever in Redskins history, and I am pleased to see that it will live forever in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.”

Beathard will be enshrined on August 4, 2018, in Canton, Ohio.

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