Mike's Spotlight Media

Jan 11 2013

2012: A Season of Monumental Redskins Anniversaries

For the Redskins, 2012 marked a season of monumental anniversaries: 40 years since they played in their first Super Bowl, 30 since they won their first one, 25 since they took home their second Vince Lombardi trophy, five years since the tragic death of superstar safety Sean Taylor, and 50 years since the formation of the Redskins' cheerleaders. In this episode of "Burgundy & Gold Magazine," Redskins Historian Mike Richman looks back on those seasons and moments. He interviews Redskin players who teamed Taylor as well as fans who watched the phenom in awe. Also featured are Craig McEwen, a member of the 1987 Redskins replacement team; George Allen, son of Redskins Hall of Fame coach George Allen; and the "Redskinettes," the moniker for the Redskins' cheerleaders alumni. Check out this entertaining show!If you can't access the show on this page, click here to watch it: http://blip.tv/burgundy-gold-magazine/2012-a-season-of-redskins-anniversaries-6499024

Jan 10 2013

Redskins All-Time Greatest Team: The "10 for 80"

In this episode of "Burgundy & Gold Magazine," Redskins Historian Mike Richman profiles the "10 for 80," the 10 new names added to the Redskins' all-time greatest list in honor of the franchise's 80th anniversary in 2012. As part of a weekend of alumni festivities, the "10 for 80" were honored at Redskins homecoming day against Carolina on Nov. 4, 2012, when more than 150 alumni congregated at FedExField under gorgeous skies in the largest single-day turnout of ex-Redskins ever. In addition to five members of the "10 for 80" -- Clinton Portis, LaVar Arrington, Jon Jansen, Bobby Beathard and Joe Bugel -- Mike interviewed Redskins legends Kenny Houston, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Jim Lachey. It was a day of pure Redskins history. Check it out!If you can't access the show on this page, click here to watch it: http://blip.tv/burgundy-gold-magazine/redskins-all-time-greatest-team-the-10-for-80-6498631

Dec 28 2012

FOX-5: Redskins-Cowboys rivalry (Dec. 28, 2012)

In an appearance on D.C. television station FOX-5 on Dec. 28, 2012, Redskins Historian Mike Richman talks with news anchor Tony Perkins about the storied Redskins-Cowboys rivalry, two days before the teams would clash in a seismic game at FedExField to determine the NFC East champion. Mike points out that the game marks the first time in 33 years (1979) that the Redskins and Cowboys have met in a regular season-ending game that holds playoff implications for both teams. Those two games, he says, rank just behind the two NFC Championship games that the Redskins and Cowboys have competed in to date (1972 & 1982) in terms of the games of greatest magnitude in the rivalry. For all of the hype directed at the Cowboys year after year, Mike also points out that Dallas and Washington have won the same # of playoff games since 1996: 2. If you can't access the show on this page, click here to watch it: http://blip.tv/redskins-historian-mike-richman/mike-richman-on-fox-5-dec-28-2012-6488777Check it out!

Dec 26 2012

Dec. 26, 1999: Redskins Beat 49ers, Win NFC East

On Dec. 26, 1999, the 8-6 Redskins needed a win over 4-10 San Francisco to capture their first NFC East title since 1991. The Skins nevertheless trailed, 20-10, early in the fourth quarter – but they battled back. Brett Conway’s field goal, and quarterback Brad Johnson’s 1-yard TD sneak tied the game at 20. In overtime, the Redskins drove 78 yards in four plays for the winning score. From the 49ers’ 33, Johnson threw a short pass to fullback Larry Centers, who ran untouched into the end zone. Johnson passed for team records of 471 yards and 32 completions that day, and coach Norv Turner received the game ball.

Nov 27 2012

Nov. 27, 2007: Superstar Sean Taylor Passes Away

On Nov. 27, 2007, Redskin superstar safety Sean Taylor died a day after being shot in a break-in at his home in Miami. The passing of one of the NFL’s best players marked the biggest D.C. sports tragedy since Maryland basketball star Len Bias died of cocaine intoxication in 1986 and the biggest Redskin tragedy since Vince Lombardi’s death in 1970. The Redskins and their legion of fans were devastated. Compounding the agony was a 1-point loss to Buffalo that dropped the Redskins to 5-7, and left their playoff hopes flickering. But the resilient squad, playing in memory of Taylor, swept the Bears, Giants, Vikings and Cowboys to clinch a Wild Card spot.

Nov 12 2012

Redskins 2012 Bye Week Review

In this taping of the TV show "Burgundy & Gold Magazine," Redskins historian Mike Richman leads a panel discussion focusing on the state of the Redskins during their bye week nine games into the 2012 season. At the time, the 3-6 squad was riding a three-game losing streak heading into a showdown against the 3-6 Eagles, an NFC East rival. The panel, which included Redskins great Roy "Sweet Pea" Jefferson, just named one of the 80 greatest Redskins, and WTOP Redskins beat reporter George Wallace, exchanged views on the future of head coach Mike Shanahan, who was 14-27 after 2 1/2 seasons at the helm, and of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III (RGIII), who was playing beyond anyone's expectations and stood as a candidate for NFL Rookie of the Year. The panel also speculated on how the Redskins may fair during the rest of the season, with five of their last seven games against NFC East opponents and one against the perennially tough Ravens. The division was a wide open at that point.If you can't access the show on this page, click here to watch it: http://blip.tv/burgundy-gold-magazine/redskins-2012-bye-week-review-6441919Check it out!