Miami defeated Washington 14-7 in a forgettable Super Bowl VII except for Washington players and fans, who for 50 years have still wondered what might have been, and for Miami players and fans, who have toasted their perfect 17-0 1972 season every year since.
Sonny Jurgensen became a beloved figure for Washington sports fans in part because of the storied rivalry he shared with Billy Kilmer a fierce competition that grew into a lifelong friendship.
They were conquering heroes. They had vanquished the hated Dallas Cowboys, 26-3, just a few blocks away at RFK Stadium in the NFC Championship Game, sending the Redskins to their first Super Bowl.
In his year and a half with Washington, Lombardi made his presence felt instilling his attention to detail, demanding excellence, and ultimately turning the team into a winner, before dying of colon cancer in September 1970 at age 57.