Redskins Ring of Fame – Chris Hanburger
The Washington Redskins Ring of Fame is a good way younger Washington Redskins fans can learn the history of our 85-year-old team. Fans need to read about all 47 of those in the Ring of Fame.
Christian G. Hanburger, Jr., played solely for the Washington Redskins for 14 years from 1965 to 1978. The Washington Redskins drafted him in the 18th round. He played outside linebacker under two of the greatest and most successful NFL coaches, Vince Lombardi and George Allen. Under George Allen, Chris Hanburger was the quarterback of the famous “over-the-hill” defense. He earned the nickname “The Hangman” because he was an expert at “clotheslining,” which was legal in the NFL at that time.
During his NFL career, Hanburger was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times. He was first team All-Pro four times during the George Allen coaching years. He also was named Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL in 1972. Chris Hanburger is a member of the Washington Redskins 70 Greatest Redskins, Ring of Fame, and the NFL Hall of Fame.
This writer had the privilege of witnessing the NFC Championship game at RFK stadium in the 1972 season. It came down to the mighty Dallas Cowboys and our Washington Redskins. We all know our defense would have the daunting task of stopping the explosive Dallas Cowboys offense led by elite quarterback Roger “The Dodger” Staubach. Before George Allen and Vince Lombardi, the Cowboys had a “cakewalk” through the NFC East.
This game was far more than just two division rivals playing for the NFC Championship, with the winner going to the Super Bowl. It was a clash of two football philosophies. Coach Tom Landry was one of the first to use the computer and build a team through the NFL Draft. On the other side of the coin was George Allen who cared less about the NFL Draft and never used any rookies. His team was made up of ex-all pros who had been cut from their former teams mostly because of age. He got ex-Pro Bowl players for 100 bucks and a draft pick. The ones who still had gas left in the tank along with years of experience got a second chance at a football paycheck. This era was before free agency so players made far less money. They would run through a wall for George Allen.
Excitement and anticipation were in the air at RFK as these two NFC East rivals squared off. It was the greatest game I ever saw in my life and the most satisfying. When it was all said and done, our Redskins defense had given up only 3 points and only allowed 96 rushing yards, and 73 net passing yards. The Hanburger led defense punished the Cowboys offense. I heard the pads’ loud pops during the game due to bone-crushing hits by the Redskins. Fans cheered and came to their seats when Chris Hanburger sacked Cowboys quarterback Staubach who came up with grass in his face. The defense got a standing ovation for their complete domination and destruction of the hated Dallas Cowboys. The final score was 26 to 3. Democrats and Republicans were high-fiving with each other in our nation’s capital. Coach George Allen had taken the Washington Redskins to the Super Bowl in just his second season with a defense that rivaled any in the NFL. HAIL. HTTR!
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