Joe Theismann is a former American football quarterback who played in the NFL from 1971 to 1985. He was born on September 9, 1949, in South River, New Jersey, and played college football at Notre Dame. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft and also played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He is best known for his time with the Washington Redskins, where he played from 1974 to 1985 and led the team to two Super Bowl appearances. Theismann was a two-time Pro Bowler and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1983. He is known for his quick release and his ability to make big plays, and he holds several Redskins passing records. After retiring from football, Theismann became a successful businessman and television commentator.
Joe Theismann suffered a career-ending injury on November 18, 1985, during a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants. He broke his leg in two places after being tackled by Giants linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson. The injury was so severe that Theismann’s leg bent in an unnatural direction and he was unable to continue playing football. Theismann underwent several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, but was never able to fully recover and eventually retired from the NFL. The injury remains one of the most iconic and memorable moments in NFL history and is widely considered to be one of the worst injuries in sports history.