Mike's Spotlight Media

May 15 2013

May 15, 1973: Allen Deals for All-Pro Safety

On May 15, 1973, Redskins coach George Allen traded five players to the Houston Oilers for Ken Houston, a five-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s premier safeties. Allen made a slew of trades in his coaching career, but this was one of his beauties. Houston made seven more Pro Bowls and was All-Pro or All-NFC every year from 1973 to 1979. The ball hawk intercepted 49 passes in his 14-year career, returning an NFL-record nine for touchdowns, and frightened ball carriers with his signature flying forearm. He was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1986 and one of three safeties named to the NFL’s prestigious 75th anniversary team in 1994.

Mar 05 2013

March 5, 1993: Glory Era Ends in D.C., Gibbs Resigns

On March 5, 1993, Joe Gibbs shocked the nation’s capital. The celebrated coach resigned after 12 seasons in D.C., a period that featured three Super Bowl wins, eight playoff appearances and a phenomenal .680 winning percentage. In a press conference at Redskins Park, he admitted not feeling well during the last half of the 1992 season but denied suffering “burnout” from his legendary 100-hour work weeks. Gibbs, then in his 2nd season of owning “Joe Gibbs Racing,” said he wanted to spend more time with his family. But he left open the possibility of someday returning to coaching. Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke immediately named long-time Skins defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon as Gibbs’ replacement.

Feb 06 2013

Feb. 6, 1969: St. Vince Hired as Redskins Coach

THIS WEEK IN REDSKINS HISTORY: On Feb. 6, 1969, a man dubbed the “second coming” was introduced as the Redskins’ new coach. Vince Lombardi, winner of five NFL titles in Green Bay, would now try to work his magic in the nation’s capital. At his introductory press conference, he dismissed any perceptions of himself as immortal, saying – quote – “Despite what some of you may think, I can’t walk across the Potomac, even when it’s frozen.” Lombardi could create a winner, though. The shrewd motivator and strategist led his Redskins to a 7-5-2 mark in 1969, their first winning season in 14 years. But Lombardi died of colon cancer just before the 1970 season, a monumental tragedy in Redskins history.

Feb 04 2013

Dec. 30, 2012: Redskins-Cowboys Clash for NFC East title

For the 2012 finale of "Burgundy & Gold Magazine," host Mike Richman went to FedExField to capture the magnitude of the season-ending showdown between the 9-6 Redskins and their bitter rivals, the 8-7 Cowboys. The stakes were astronomical: the winner claims the NFC East title and the loser goes home. Amid an electric pre-game atmosphere, Mike interviewed fanatical fans and notable Redskins names: former QB Joe Theismann, long-time trainer Bubba Tyer and Art Briles, who coached rookie sensation Robert Griffin III at Baylor. Following Washington's 28-18 win, Mike caught up with Redskins including RG3, LB Ryan Kerrigan, DT Stephen Bowen, TE Chris Cooley and guard Will Montgomery. They shared their elation on the Redskins winning their seventh straight game and capturing the NFC East for the first time since 1999. Mike also did a post-game interview with former Redskins RB Clinton Portis, whose Redskins single-season rushing record was shattered that day by rookie Alfred Morris.If you can't access the show on this page, click here to watch it: http://blip.tv/burgundy-gold-magazine/dec-30-2012-redskins-cowboys-clash-for-nfc-east-title-6521753Check it out!

Jan 31 2013

Jan. 31, 1988: Redskins Destroy Denver in SB XXII

On Jan. 31, 1988, lightning shaded burgundy and gold struck in Super Bowl 22 in San Diego. In a breathtaking sequence, the Redskins amassed 35 points and 356 yards in less than six minutes in the second quarter. The onslaught obliterated a 10-point Denver lead and catapulted the Skins to a 42-10 rout. Their triggerman was quarterback Doug Williams, who recorded one of the greatest feats in an NFL championship game. He threw for a Super Bowl-record 340 yards and four TDs, on a day he was the first black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. He was named game MVP. Running back Timmy Smith, receiver Ricky Sanders, the “Hogs” and the Skins’ D also dominated.

Jan 14 2013

Jan. 14, 1973: Miami Tops Redskins in Super Bowl VII

On Jan. 14, 1973, the Redskins played in their first Super Bowl – Super Bowl VII – against the undefeated Miami Dolphins. The sun shined bright in the Los Angeles Coliseum on the fish, who scored two first-half touchdowns and relied on their no-name defense to stifle the Redskins’ offense. It was a maddening day for the burgundy and gold, who failed to capitalize on scoring chances and once saw a sure TD pass by quarterback Billy Kilmer carom off the goal post. Miami won, 14-7, to improve to 17-0 and become the only team in NFL history to finish a season, including playoffs, undefeated and untied – a feat that stands.