View source for Joe Theismann

{{Short description|American football player and broadcaster (born 1949)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Joe Theismann
| image         = MGM Sports Wagering Grand Opening - Joe Theismann (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Theismann in 2021
| number        = 7
| position      = [[Quarterback]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1949|9|9|mf=y}}
| birth_place   = [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]], U.S.
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 0
| weight_lbs    = 192
| high_school   = [[South River High School (New Jersey)|South River]] {{nowrap|([[South River, New Jersey]])}}
| college       = [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]]
| draftyear     = 1971
| draftround    = 4
| draftpick     = 99
| pastteams     =
* [[Toronto Argonauts]] ({{CFL Year|1971|1973}})
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1974|1985}})
| highlights    =
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XVII|XVII]])
* [[NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1983)
* [[NFL Offensive Player of the Year]] (1983)
* [[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award|NFL Man of the Year]] (1982)
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1983 All-Pro Team|1983]])
* 2× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1983 Pro Bowl|1982]], [[1984 Pro Bowl|1983]])
* [[Bert Bell Award]] (1982)
* [[Washington Commanders#90 Greatest|Washington Commanders 90 Greatest]]
* [[Washington Redskins#Ring of Fame|Washington Redskins Ring of Fame]]
* 2× [[CFL All-Star Game|CFL All-Star]] (1971, 1973)
* First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1970 College Football All-America Team|1970]])
| CollegeHOF    = 2130
| statlabel1    = Passing attempts
| statvalue1    = 3,602
| statlabel2    = Passing completions
| statvalue2    = 2,044
| statlabel3    = Completion percentage
| statvalue3    = 56.7%
| statlabel4    = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue4    = 160–138
| statlabel5    = Passing yards
| statvalue5    = 25,206
| statlabel6    = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue6    = 77.4
| cflstatlabel1 = TD–INT
| cflstatvalue1 = 40–47
| cflstatlabel2 = Passing yards
| cflstatvalue2 = 6,093
| cflstatlabel3 = Passer rating
| cflstatvalue3 = 77.2
| pfr           = TheiJo00
}}

'''Joseph Robert Theismann''' (born September 9, 1949) is an American former professional [[gridiron football|football]] player, [[sports commentator]], [[motivational speaker|corporate speaker]], and restaurateur. He rose to fame playing [[quarterback]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL). Theismann spent 12 seasons with the [[Washington Redskins]], where he was a two-time [[Pro Bowl]]er and helped the team to consecutive [[Super Bowl]] appearances, winning [[Super Bowl XVII]] over the [[Miami Dolphins]] and losing [[Super Bowl XVIII]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame Fighting Irish]] and was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2003.

In the Redskins' 11th game of the [[1985 Washington Redskins season|1985 NFL season]], he suffered a gruesome and catastrophic fracture to his right leg that ended his career. Theismann worked as a sportscaster and an analyst on pro football broadcasts with [[ESPN]] for nearly 20 years.<ref name=washingtonian>{{cite web | work=[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]] | url=http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/5845.html | title=Joe Theismann Sounds Off | author=Harry Jaffe| date=December 1, 2007| access-date=December 26, 2008}}</ref> He primarily partnered with [[Mike Patrick]], for the network's ''[[ESPN Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'' package and for one season of ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' with [[Mike Tirico]] and [[Tony Kornheiser]]. Theismann also worked as a color analyst on [[NFL Network]]'s ''[[Thursday Night Football]]'' package with play-by-play voice [[Bob Papa]] and [[Matt Millen]]. Theismann also co-hosts the network's weekly show ''[[Playbook (TV series)|Playbook]].'' Since 2011, he has worked on the Washington Commanders preseason television broadcast team.<ref name=WashRed>{{cite web|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-announce-broadcast-teams-for-2015-preseason-15514183|title=Redskins Announce Broadcast Teams For 2015 Preseason|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801193404/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Announce-Broadcast-Teams-For-2015-Preseason/edd8f22f-a9a4-4f50-befc-8e545868effb|archive-date=August 1, 2015}}</ref> Additionally, he works on the [[NFL Network]] on a variety of programs, primarily as an analyst.<ref name=NFLNet>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/onairtalent/joe-theismann|title=Joe Theismann, On-Air Talent|publisher=[[National Football League]]|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Theismann was born to Austrian Joseph John Theismann who "ran a gas station and worked in his brother's liquor store."<ref name="washingtonian" /> His Hungarian mother, Olga Tóbiás,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://player.hu/eletmod/sport/magyarok-az-nfl-ben-3/|title=A kommentátorrá lett irányító és az erdélyi magyar punter – Magyarok az NFL-ben 3.|date=October 28, 2012|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> worked for [[Johnson & Johnson]] until her retirement. Theismann was raised in [[South River, New Jersey]],<ref>Amdur, Neil. [https://www.nytimes.com/1969/12/27/archives/theismann-pleases-irish-coach-in-every-statistic-except-one.html "Theismann Pleases Irish Coach In Every Statistic Except One; Quarterback From Jersey Is Intercepted 16 Times -- Awaits Biggest Chance"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 27, 1969. Retrieved March 20, 2011. "The snow was stacked as high and tight as a goal-line defense near Joe Theismann's house at 3 Arlington Avenue in South River, N. J., yesterday."</ref> and attended [[South River High School (New Jersey)|South River High School]], where he [[Letterman (sports)|lettered]] in baseball, basketball, and [[high school football|football]].<ref name=washingtonian />

He was a high school teammate of [[Drew Pearson (American football)|Drew Pearson]]. Theismann accepted a [[college football]] scholarship to attend the [[University of Notre Dame]], where he lived in [[Zahm Hall]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Roura|first=Phil|date=March 26, 2006|title=REGIS ON THE ROAD. Philbin hits Harrah's this weekend with Susan Lucci: [SPORTS FINAL Edition]|page=41|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306017228|id={{ProQuest|306017228}}|via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref>

== College career ==
At Notre Dame, Theismann became the [[Starting lineup#American football|starting quarterback]] in his sophomore year, after [[Terry Hanratty]] was injured late in the season.<ref name=cfhof>{{College Football HoF|id=2130|name=Joe Theismann|access-date=December 26, 2008}}</ref>

In the three remaining games in the regular season, he led the Irish to two wins and a tie. In 1969, Theismann led the Irish to a number five ranking, but lost to the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic#Game results|1970 Cotton Bowl Classic]], 21–17. The next year, the Irish had a 10–1 record, a number two ranking, and won against Texas in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic#Game results|1971 Cotton Bowl Classic]], 24–11.<ref name=cfhof />

That year, Theismann was an [[All-America]]n and an [[Academic All-America]]n, and was in contention for the [[Heisman Trophy]]. Theismann, whose last name was actually pronounced THEES-mann, later recalled that Notre Dame publicity man Roger Valdiserri who insisted that he change the pronunciation of his name to rhyme with "Heisman", although in the process learned from his grandmother that the original pronunciation of his last name was  TICE-mann.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-09 |title=Theismann, As In Heisman...Or Was It? |url=https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2016/12/09/joe-theismann-heisman-name-pronunciation |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.wbur.org |language=en}}</ref>

but he finished second to [[Jim Plunkett]] of [[Stanford University]].<ref name="washingtonian" /><ref name="cfhof" /><ref>{{cite web| publisher=Heisman.com| url=http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-plunkett70.php| title=Heisman Winners : 1970 – 36th Award : Jim Plunkett| year=1970| access-date=September 30, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210035420/http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-plunkett70.php| archive-date=February 10, 2010}}</ref>

Theismann set school records for passing yards in a season (2,429) and touchdowns in a season (16).<ref name=cfhof /> He also set a school record for passing yards in a game (526) and completions in a game (33) while playing against the [[University of Southern California]] in a torrential downpour in 1970, which the Irish lost 38–28.<ref name=espn>{{cite news | work=ESPN.com College Football| url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1858262 | title=Green, Sanders also among inductees | date=August 12, 2004|agency=Associated Press|access-date=December 26, 2008}}</ref> As a starting quarterback, Theismann compiled a 20–3–2 record while throwing for 4,411 yards and 31 touchdowns.<ref name=cfhof /> His 4,411 passing yards rank fifth on Notre Dame's career passing list.<ref name=espn />

Theismann was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2003.<ref name=cfhof /> He was the eighth Notre Dame quarterback enshrined into the hall, joining former Heisman Trophy winners [[Angelo Bertelli]], [[John Lujack]], and [[Paul Hornung]].<ref name=espn />

== Professional career ==

=== Toronto Argonauts ===
Theismann was selected 99th overall in the fourth round of the [[1971 NFL draft]] by the [[Miami Dolphins]] and in the 39th round of the [[1971 Major League Baseball Draft]] by the [[Minnesota Twins]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=William N. |date=January 29, 1971 |title=Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/29/archives/patriots-choose-plunkett-as-no-1-in-college-draft-spurning-trade.html |access-date=June 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | work=Baseball-Reference.com | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?year_ID=1971&round=39&draft_type=junreg | title=Baseball Draft: 39th Round of the 1971 June Draft | access-date=December 27, 2008}}</ref> After prolonged negotiations with the Dolphins failed, Theismann elected to sign with the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] for $50,000 per season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Attner |first=Paul |date=January 26, 1983 |title=Theismann, a Near-Dolphin, Wouldn't Change |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1983/01/26/theismann-a-near-dolphin-wouldnt-change/31f87e7d-924c-4726-8d71-0488685059b3/}}</ref>

In his rookie year, Theismann quarterbacked the Argonauts to a 10–4 record, led the league's [[Canadian Football League East Division#Eastern Football Conference (1960–1980)|Eastern Conference]] in passing statistics and won a berth in the [[Grey Cup]] game against the [[Calgary Stampeders]] in [[Vancouver|Vancouver, British Columbia]] ([[59th Grey Cup]]). A fumble late in the fourth quarter by Argonaut [[running back]] [[Leon McQuay]] close to the goal line cost the Argonauts what would have been their first Grey Cup victory since 1952.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/page/his_greycup_recap1971 |title=Grey Cup: 1971 |publisher=Canadian Football League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425013128/http://www.cfl.ca/page/his_greycup_recap1971 |archive-date=April 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CFL-Record-Book-2022-e.pdf |title=CFL Guide & Record Book – Grey Cup Record Book 1909 To 2021 |access-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref>

In 1971, Theismann completed 148 of 278 passes for 2,440 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. His 1972 season was shortened by injury, but he completed 77 of 127 passes for 1,157 yards and ten touchdowns. During his last CFL season, 1973, he completed 157 of 274 passes for 2,496 yards and both 13 touchdowns and interceptions. He was an [[CFL All-Star Game|all-star]] in both 1971 and 1973.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 6, 2012 |title=Former QB Joe Theismann has fond memories of 1971 Argos |work=The Canadian Press |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/former-qb-joe-theismann-has-fond-memories-of-1971-argos-1.1241904}}</ref>

=== Washington Redskins ===
[[File:JoeTheismannPractice.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Theismann at practice]]
In 1974, the [[Washington Redskins]] obtained Theismann's rights from the Dolphins in exchange for the team's first-round draft pick in [[1976 NFL draft|1976]] (the Dolphins selected linebacker [[Larry Gordon]] with the pick).<ref>{{cite news |title=Allen Trades Pick for Theismann |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19740126&id=Vd4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3CgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6581,1981113&hl=en |newspaper=[[The Milwaukee Journal]] |date=January 26, 1974 |access-date=March 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417120114/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19740126&id=Vd4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3CgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6581,1981113&hl=en |url-status=dead }}</ref> Theismann left the CFL and joined the Redskins, where he served as the team's [[punt returner]] during his first season.<ref name="PFR">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TheiJo00.htm|title=Joe Theismann Stats|work=pro-football-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|access-date=January 7, 2019}}</ref> In 1978, Theismann became the Redskins' starting quarterback, succeeding [[Billy Kilmer]].

In 1982, Theismann led the Redskins to their first championship in 40 years against the Dolphins in [[Super Bowl XVII]]. He threw two touchdowns and, with the Redskins trailing 17–13 in the third quarter, made arguably the most important ''defensive'' play of the game – after his pass was deflected by Dolphins lineman [[Kim Bokamper]], causing what appeared to be an interception and sure touchdown (which would have given Miami a two-score lead and effectively taken MVP running back [[John Riggins]] out of the game), Theismann himself was able to knock the ball out of Bokamper's hands,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtz8hsQtEuQ&t=199s |title= The Most UNDERRATED Play in Super Bowl HISTORY {{!}} Super Bowl XVII |via=YouTube |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}{{cbignore}}</ref> keeping the score close enough for Washington to stick to the run-heavy strategy that would eventually lead to victory. He also led the team to an appearance in [[Super Bowl XVIII]] the following year, and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206), while also throwing 160 touchdown passes, with 138 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 1,815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named NFL [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] in 1983 by four organizations.<ref name="PFR" /> He earned the Player of the Game Award in the second of his two [[Pro Bowl]] appearances. Theismann also punted once in his career, for one yard against the [[Chicago Bears]].<ref name="PFR" /><ref>[[United Press International|UPI]] (September 30, 1985). "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gRYzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RzIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4990,3532387&dq=joe-theismann+punt&hl=en Bears Show Redskins A Team On The Rise]". ''[[Lodi News-Sentinel]]'', p. 17.</ref>
[[File:joetheismannrings.jpg|thumb|right|Joe Theismann's NFL rings; his 1983 NFC Championship ring (left), and his 1982 [[Super Bowl XVII]] Championship ring (right)]]
In an era when most quarterbacks had long since used variations of a double-bar facemask or "cage" facemasks that afforded more protection, Theismann stood out in his use of a signature [[Football helmet#One-bar face masks|one-bar face mask]] throughout his pro career.<ref>Graham, Tim (August 11, 2009). "[https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/2102/face-of-the-nfl-is-gone-an-ode-to-the-single-bar Face of the NFL is gone: An ode to the single-bar]". ESPN. Retrieved December 4, 2021.</ref>

However, on at least one occasion, Theismann wore a helmet with a more standard facemask. Substituting for an ineffective Billy Kilmer against the Dallas Cowboys on October 16, 1977, Theismann entered the game wearing a facemask similar to the style worn by [[Ken Stabler]] at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB895asXkhM|title=YouTube|via=YouTube|access-date=October 6, 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

==== Career-ending injury ====
On November 18, 1985, Theismann suffered a comminuted [[compound fracture]] of the [[tibia]] and [[fibula]] in his right leg when he was [[quarterback sack|sacked]] by [[linebacker]]s [[Lawrence Taylor]] and [[Harry Carson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Ivan |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Remembering Washington football at RFK Stadium in the 1980s |url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2022/12/11/remembering-washington-football-at-rfk-stadium-in-the-1980s/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Commanders Wire |language=en-US}}</ref> The injury took place during a ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game against the [[1985 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] telecast by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from [[RFK Stadium]] in Washington, D.C.

The injury was later voted the NFL's "Most Shocking Moment in History" by viewers in an [[ESPN]] poll,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com – Page2 – Readers: Shocking football moments |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/readers/shockingNFL.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> and the tackle was ultimately dubbed "The Hit That No One Who Saw It Can Ever Forget" by ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref name="washington post">{{cite news | title=The Hit That Changed a Career | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=November 18, 2005 | author=Leonard Shapiro| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111701635.html | access-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref>

The game's score was 7–7 in the second quarter when the Redskins attempted to run a "[[Flea flicker (American football)|flea-flicker]]" play; Theismann handed the ball off to [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] [[John Riggins]], who subsequently lateralled the ball back to the quarterback.<ref name="washington post" /> The Giants' defense, however, was tightly focused, and they tried to [[blitz (American football)|blitz]] Theismann. As Taylor pulled Theismann down, Taylor's knee came down and drove straight into Theismann's lower right leg, fracturing both the tibia and the fibula as Giants linebackers [[Gary Reasons]] and [[Harry Carson]] also joined Taylor in the sack.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14154498/ten-things-not-know-joe-theismann-gruesome-broken-leg-1985|title=Ten things you might not know about Joe Theismann's broken leg |last=Stone |first=Kevin |date=November 18, 2015 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 30, 2019 }}</ref> Theismann would later describe the incident (December 22, 2005):

<blockquote>The pain was unbelievable, but it didn't last more than a second or two. My leg snapped like a breadstick. I heard it clearly, it sounded like two muzzled gunshots over my left shoulder. Pow, pow! ... It was at that point, I also found out what a magnificent machine the human body is. Almost immediately, from the knee down, all the feeling was gone in my right leg. The [[endorphin]]s had kicked in, and I was not in any great pain.”<ref name="washington post" /><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/26/sports/football/26monday.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |title=20 Years Later, Theismann Revisits Replay |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=October 14, 2013 |first=Richard |last=Sandomir |date=December 26, 2005}}</ref></blockquote>

As Theismann was down, Taylor immediately popped to his feet and began frantically waving, before looking back and seeing Theismann sprawled on the ground. Initially, many Redskins personnel thought Taylor was taunting after the play before quickly realizing that Theismann was seriously injured, but it was later confirmed that Taylor knew immediately that something had happened and was trying to signal for help from the [[emergency medical technician]]s,<ref name=":0" /> something the ''Monday Night Football'' announcer team of [[Frank Gifford]], [[O. J. Simpson]], and [[Joe Namath]] had correctly [[Abductive reasoning|inferred]] from the start.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/-mLADYBmAEw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200830174614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mLADYBmAEw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mLADYBmAEw| title = Lawrence Taylor breaks Joe Theismann's leg on MNF | via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

While initially only the players on the field could see the extent of the damage to Theismann's leg, the reverse-angle instant replay provided a clearer view of what had actually happened: Theismann's lower leg bones were broken midway between his knee and his ankle, such that his leg from his foot to his mid-shin was lying flat against the ground while the upper part of his shin up to his knee was at a 45-degree angle to the lower part of his leg.<ref name=":0" /> ABC's decision to screen the reverse-angle instant replay several times despite its palpably graphic content shocked millions of viewers, with some describing it as "the most horrific professional sports injury of all time”; the repeated screening of this replay remains one of the most controversial in-game television production decisions in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullins |first=Luke |date=September 29, 2015 |title=The Oral History of Joe Theismann's Broken Leg |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/09/29/the-oral-history-of-joe-theismanns-broken-leg/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=www.washingtonian.com}}</ref> As the replays were shown, Gifford repeatedly urged viewers at home to exercise discretion: "If your stomach is weak, just don't watch."<ref name=":0" />

The compound fracture of the tibia and fibula led to insufficient bone growth during Theismann's recovery, leaving his right leg shorter than his left.<ref name=":0" /> As a result, the injury ended Theismann's career, forcing him to retire at the age of 36. While Theismann has clarified that Taylor apologized to him many times for the incident, he also stated that he never blamed Taylor, reiterating that he was merely doing his job.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lawrence Taylor remembers Joe Theismann's brutal injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18074038/lawrence-taylor-remembers-joe-theismann-injury-seen-lot-worse-hits-nfl |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 13, 2021 |language=en |date=November 18, 2016}}</ref>

Theismann's injury was highlighted in the film ''[[The Blind Side (film)|The Blind Side]]'' as the reason that, after the quarterback, one of the highest paid football players is the left tackle, who protects a right-handed quarterback's blind side.<ref name="washington times">{{cite news | title=Movie Review: The Blind Side | work=[[The Washington Times]] | date=November 20, 2009 | author=Sonny Bunch| url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/20/movie-review-the-blind-side/ | access-date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> A very similar injury occurred exactly 33 years later to another Redskins quarterback, [[Alex Smith]], on November 18, 2018, in a game against the [[2018 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] when [[cornerback]] [[Kareem Jackson]] and [[defensive end]] [[J. J. Watt]] sacked Smith, a game that Theismann himself was attending.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/redskins-qb-alex-smith-suffers-gruesome-injury-33-years-to-the-day-after-joe-theismanns/|title=Redskins' Alex Smith suffers gruesome injury 33 years to the day after Joe Theismann's broken leg|website=CBS Sports|date=November 18, 2018 |language=en|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> However, unlike Theismann, Smith managed to play an additional season two years later in [[2020 Washington Football Team season|2020]] and won the [[Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award|Comeback Player of the Year award]] before retiring in 2021.<ref name="Release2021">{{cite web |title=Washington Football Team releases quarterback Alex Smith |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31010113/washington-football-team-releases-quarterback-alex-smith |publisher=ESPN|first=John|last=Keim|date=March 5, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Shook|first=Nick|title=Alex Smith announces retirement after 16-year career|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/alex-smith-retires-16-year-career-49ers-chiefs-washington|publisher=National Football League|date=April 19, 2021|access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
=== CFL statistics ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! colspan="8"| Passing
! colspan="4"| Rushing
|-
! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! TD
|-
! [[1971 CFL season|1971]] !! [[1971 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]
| 14 || 148 || 278 || 53.2 || 2,440 || 8.8 || 17 || 21 || 71.9 || 81 || 564 || 7.0 || 1
|-
! [[1972 CFL season|1972]] !! [[1972 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]
| 6 || 77 || 127 || 60.6 || 1,157 || 9.1 || 10 || 13 || 77.2 || 21 || 147 || 7.0 || 1
|-
! [[1973 CFL season|1973]] !! [[1973 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]
| 14 || 157 || 274 || 57.3 || 2,496 || 9.1 || 13 || 13 || 83.8 || 70 || 343 || 4.9 || 1
|-
! colspan="2"| Career !! 34 !! 382 !! 679 !! 56.3 !! 6,093 !! 9.0 !! 40 !! 47 !! 77.2 !! 172 !! 1,054 !! 6.1 !! 3
|}

=== NFL statistics ===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#ffff00;"|
| AP [[NFL MVP]] & [[NFL Offensive Player of the Year|OPOTY]]
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="9"| Passing
! colspan="5"| Rushing
|-
! GP !! GS !! Record !! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1974 NFL season|1974]] !! [[1974 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 9 || 0 || – || 9 || 11 || 81.8 || 145 || 13.2 || 69 || 1 || 0 || 149.1 || 3 || 12 || 4.0 || 12 || 1
|-
! [[1975 NFL season|1975]] !! [[1975 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 14 || 0 || – || 10 || 22 || 45.5 || 96 || 4.4 || 30 || 1 || 3 || 33.7 || 3 || 34 || '''11.3''' || 21 || 0
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] !! [[1976 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 14 || 5 || 3–2 || 79 || 163 || 48.5 || 1,036 || 6.4 || 44 || 8 || 10 || 59.8 || 17 || 97 || 5.7 || 22 || 1
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] !! [[1977 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 14 || 6 || 4–2 || 84 || 182 || 46.2 || 1,097 || 6.0 || 52 || 7 || 9 || 57.9 || 29 || 149 || 5.1 || 14 || 1
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] !! [[1978 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || 14 || 7–7 || 187 || 390 || 47.9 || 2,593 || 6.6 || 63 || 13 || 18 || 61.6 || 37 || 177 || 4.8 || 20 || 1
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] !! [[1979 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 10–6 || 233 || 395 || 59.0 || 2,797 || 7.1 || 62 || 20 || 13 || 83.9 || 46 || 181 || 3.9 || 22 || '''4'''
|-
! [[1980 NFL season|1980]] !! [[1980 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || 15 || 6–9 || 262 || 454 || 57.7 || 2,962 || 6.5 || 54 || 17 || 16 || 75.2 || 29 || 175 || 6.0 || '''37''' || 3
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] !! [[1981 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 8–8 || '''293''' || '''496''' || 59.1 || 3,568 || 7.2 || 79 || 19 || '''20''' || 77.3 || 36 || 177 || 4.9 || 24 || 2
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1982 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 9 || 9 || 8–1 || 161 || 252 || '''63.9''' || 2,033 || '''8.1''' || 78 || 13 || 9 || 91.3 || 31 || 150 || 4.8 || 16 || 0
|-
! style="background:#ffff00;"| [[1983 NFL season|1983]] !! [[1983 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || '''14–2''' || 276 || 459 || 60.1 || '''3,714''' || '''8.1''' || '''84''' || '''29''' || 11 || '''97.0''' || 37 || 234 || 6.3 || 22 || 1
|-
! [[1984 NFL season|1984]] !! [[1984 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 11–5 || 283 || 477 || 59.3 || 3,391 || 7.1 || 80 || 24 || 13 || 86.6 || '''62''' || '''314''' || 5.1 || 27 || 1
|-
! [[1985 NFL season|1985]] !! [[1985 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 11 || 11 || 6–5 || 167 || 301 || 55.5 || 1,774 || 5.9 || 55 || 8 || 16 || 59.6 || 25 || 115 || 4.6 || 25 || 2
|-
! colspan="2"| Career<ref name="PFR" /> !! 167 !! 124 !! 77–47 !! 2,044 !! 3,602 !! 56.7 !! 25,206 !! 7.0 !! 84 !! 160 !! 138 !! 77.4 !! 355 !! 1,815 !! 5.1 !! 37 !! 17
|}

=== Washington Redskins franchise records ===
* Most career wins by a quarterback (87)<ref>{{cite web|title=In multiple seasons, from 1950 to 2018, playing for the Washington Redskins, requiring Pass Completion % >= 1, sorted by most games matching criteria|url=http://pfref.com/tiny/MwmyM|website=pro-football-reference.com|publisher= Pro Football Reference|access-date=November 23, 2018}}</ref>
* Most career passing yards (25,206)<ref>{{cite web|title=Washington Redskins Career Passing Leaders|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-passing.htm|website=pro-football-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=November 23, 2018}}</ref>
* Most career passing completions (2,044)
* Most career passing attempts (3,602)

== Broadcast and acting career ==
In 1985, Theismann helped call [[Super Bowl XIX]] for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] alongside [[Frank Gifford]] and [[Don Meredith]], becoming only the second player to do commentary on a Super Bowl telecast while still an active player at the time (the first was [[Jack Kemp]] when he helped call [[Super Bowl II]] for [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]). Theismann served as a [[color commentator]] on regional CBS NFL coverage in 1986 and 1987, then worked on [[ESPN]]'s ''[[ESPN Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'' telecasts from 1988 to 2005, and on their ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' coverage in [[2006 NFL season|2006]].

In addition to covering football, Theismann hosted the first half of the first season of ''[[American Gladiators (1989 TV series)|American Gladiators]]'' in 1989.

On March 26, 2007, ESPN announced that [[Ron Jaworski]] would replace Theismann in the ''Monday Night Football'' booth. Theismann rejected an offer to work on the network's [[college football]] coverage. He has since done a number of [[Washington Redskins]] pre-season games on CSN. On September 16, 2009, the [[NFL Network]] announced that Theismann would analyze game films on the show ''[[Playbook (TV series)|Playbook]]'', airing Thursday and Friday nights at 6 p.m. Eastern.

On January 9, 2010, Theismann and his former head coach Joe Gibbs served as color commentators, along with play-by-play man Tom Hammond, for the Saturday [[2009-10 NFL Playoffs|AFC wild card game]] between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals.

On September 6, 2010, NFL network announced that they added Theismann to their ''[[Thursday Night Football]]'' broadcast crew alongside [[Bob Papa]] and [[Matt Millen]].<ref>Gregg Rosenthal (September 6, 2010). [http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/06/joe-theismann-to-join-nfl-network-booth/ "Joe Theismann to join NFL Network booth"]. NBCSports.com</ref> The grouping lasted one season. He also co-hosted NFL games on [[NBC]] in 2010,<ref>{{cite news | work=USA Today | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-12-06-gibbs-theismann-nbc-wildcard_N.htm | title=Gibbs, Theismann to reunite for NBC wild-card game | author=Michael Hiestand| date=December 6, 2009| access-date=December 8, 2009}}</ref> and co-hosted NFL Network's ''No Huddle'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/joe-theismann-danny-woodcock-woodhead-gaffe_n_808966.html |title=Joe Theismann's 'Danny Woodcock' Gaffe: NFL Network Analyst Slips On Air (VIDEO) |publisher=HuffPost |date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>

=== Acting appearances ===
Theismann has occasionally acted, although most appearances are as himself or as himself in a fictional context. He does have several TV and movie appearances, including ''[[B.J. and the Bear]]'' (1981), ''[[Cannonball Run II]]'' (1984), and ''[[The Man from Left Field]]'' (1993).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005483/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title=IMDb Joe Theismann |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=November 23, 2018}}</ref>

Theismann appeared as himself, as part of a buyer group for the fictional "New York Hawks" football team on the TV series ''[[Necessary Roughness (TV series)|Necessary Roughness]]'' (2013) and on the post-Super Bowl episode "[[Operation: Broken Feather]]" of ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]'' (2014). His most recent acting appearances were in movies for the [[Hallmark Channel]]. In 2016's "Love on the Sidelines," he appeared as the father of an injured professional football player. In 2019's "SnowComing," he played an agent for professional athletes (in particular, a professional football player).

== Personal life ==
[[File:Bears at Redskins 2019, Joe Theismann (48791149287).jpg|thumb|left|Theismann in 2019]]
Theismann and his first wife, the former Shari Brown, had three children: Joseph Jr., Amy, and Patrick. The couple divorced in April 1985, seven months before Theismann's injury in November 1985, after which Theismann began a seven-year relationship – including a brief engagement – with television personality [[Cathy Lee Crosby]].<ref>{{cite news|author= Michael J. Weiss|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20092402,00.html|title=A Bone-Breaking Tackle Leaves Joe Theismann Relying on L.C. from C.L.C.|newspaper=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=December 9, 1985|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref> Early in 1991, Crosby sued for $4.5 million,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/02/04/crosby-sues-theismann-over-financial-support/|title=Crosby Sues Theismann Over Financial Support|date= February 4, 1991|newspaper= [[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref> touching off a counter suit. The suits were settled several months later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19910608&id=z-MPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5248,1376785&hl=en|title=Theismann, Crosby settle estate lawsuit|date=June 8, 1991|newspaper=[[The Free Lance-Star]]|location=Fredericksburg, VA|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref>

His second marriage, to former [[Miss Connecticut]] winner and [[Miss America]] contestant Jeanne Caruso, ended in divorce after three years in 1995. Theismann was ordered to pay nearly $1 million of marital property and $3,500 a month in alimony.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-04-ls-42203-story.html|title=COMMITMENTS : Split Decision|date=September 4, 1995|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 9, 2015|first=Roxanne|last=Roberts}}</ref> In 1996, Theismann married Robin Smith. They have homes in [[Virginia]], [[Tennessee]], and the [[Florida Panhandle]].<ref name=washingtonian /> He founded Theismann's Restaurant and Bar in [[Alexandria, Virginia]], in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theismanns.com/home |title=Joe Theismann's Restaurant |website=theismanns.com |access-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823031201/http://www.theismanns.com/home |archive-date=August 23, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Paul Attner (October 29, 1976). "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4J8oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OSkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3398,6415291&dq=joe+theismann+opens+restaurant Theismann Plans, but does not wait, for future] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519174807/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4J8oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OSkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3398,6415291&dq=joe+theismann+opens+restaurant |date=May 19, 2016 }}". ''[[The Milwaukee Journal]]'' (via [[Google News Archive]]). ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref>

== Awards ==
[[File:Joe Theismann and John Elway (50121497961).jpg|thumb|right|Theismann with [[John Elway]] in 2018]]
Theismann received the Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]] presented by Awards Council member [[Tom Landry]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Wade |first=Larry |date=July 14, 1983|title= American Academy of Achievement fills Coronado with famous names|work=Coronado Journal |url= https://achievement.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Coronado-Journal-July-14-1983.pdf }}</ref>

Theismann was inducted into the [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]] Hall of Fame in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | work=[[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]] | url=http://www.njsiaa.org/NJSIAA/HOF_years.aspx | title=Hall of Fame Annual Awards, 1997 | year=1997 | access-date=December 25, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521193256/http://www.njsiaa.org/NJSIAA/HOF_years.aspx | archive-date=May 21, 2007 }}</ref>

In 2011, Theismann was inducted into the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]].

On September 5, 2014, Theismann was honored by the [[Ride of Fame]] as they christened a double decker sightseeing bus in Washington DC dedicated to him and his achievements.<ref>[https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/photos/ride-fame-joe-theismann-20140905-211708-534.html Ride Of Fame With Joe Theismann] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527193749/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/photos/ride-fame-joe-theismann-20140905-211708-534.html |date=May 27, 2015 }} Yahoo! Sport. September 5, 2014</ref>

== UFL ==
On August 19, 2010, head coach [[Jay Gruden]] of the [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]]'s [[Florida Tuskers]] "confirmed that Theismann introduced himself to the Tuskers as the team's new part owner".<ref>Radcliffe, Jeff (August 19, 2010). [http://www.baynews9.com/article/sports/2010/august/139290/Report:-Joe-Theismann-in-talks-to-become-part-owner-of-Florida-Tuskers Joe Theismann in talks to become part owner of Florida Tuskers]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. BHSN.com. Retrieved August 19, 2010.</ref> <!-- local news source, article supported by linked video --> Theismann expressed disappointment at the way he was treated during his time in the league and left the team when it was folded into the [[Virginia Destroyers]] in January 2011.<ref>Masters, Mark (June 24, 2011). "[http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/24/unplugged-theismann-on-the-cfl-nfl-and-mark-trestman/ Unplugged: Theismann on the CFL, NFL and Marc Trestman] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120720020556/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/24/unplugged-theismann-on-the-cfl-nfl-and-mark-trestman/ |date=July 20, 2012 }}". ''National Post''. Retrieved June 25, 2011.</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Joe Theismann}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=Joe-Theismann
|ESPN= |cfl= |cbs= |si= |yahoo= |pfr=TheiJo00 }}
* {{CFBHOF|2130}}
* [http://www.totalfootballstats.com/PlayerQB.asp?id=3804 Joe Theismann CFL & NFL Statistics] – totalfootballstats.com
* {{IMDb name|0005483|Joe Theismann}}
* [https://www.theismanns.com/ Joe Theismann's Restaurant]

{{s-start}}
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{{succession box | before = None| title = [[List of Super Bowl broadcasters|Super Bowl television]] color commentator<br />([[Monday Night Football|prime-time package carrier]]) | years = [[Super Bowl XIX|1984]] (with [[Don Meredith]]) | after = [[Frank Gifford]] and [[Dan Dierdorf]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes|title=Joe Theismann—championships, awards, and honors|list1=
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