The Washington Redskins were founded in 1932, as the Boston Braves, In 1933 the owner of the team moved the team to Fenway Park and changed the team’s name to the Redskins. The Redskins were not profitable, and even an Eastern Division championship in 1936 failed to excite Boston fans, so in 1937 Marshall moved the club to Washington, D.C. The team found success in its new home. From the mid 30s to early 40s head coach Ray Flaherty guided the Washington Redskins to seven consecutive winning records and thrice appeared in the National Football League (NFL) Championship Game. During the late 30s Ray Flaherty brought about the screen pass. In the screen pass, the offensive linemen run downfield in front of the running back instead of blocking for the quarterback. The quarterback then throws a short pass to the running back and the linemen form a screen, blocking downfield to gain yardage. This play has since then become a norm in offensive play. 

In addition to his six passing crowns, the versatile Baugh also led the league in punting five times and interceptions once. His career punting average of 45.1 yards is the highest ever compiled in National Football League (NFL) history. The Redskins suffered a twenty five season playoff drought from 1946 through 1970, getting just four winning records and changing head coaches eleven times during that span. Impressive individual achievements during this period included wide receiver Bobby Mitchell’s, quarterback Sonny Jurgensen and wide receiver Charley Taylor. In 1971 George Allen took over as head coach of the Washington Redskins. Allen dramatically reorganized the Redskins through a series of trades for seasoned veteran players. The reshaped Washington Redskins, known as the "over the hill gang", recorded nine victories, the most by a Washington team in twenty nine years. In his seven seasons with the club, Allen produced seven winning records, five playoff appearances, and one trip to the Super Bowl. Washington’s Super Bowl appearance was in 1973, when the Miami Dolphins defeated them 14-7.

The team remained successful throughout the 1970s, and in 1976 Allen traded for the rights of two players who would be the key to Washington’s success in the 1980s—Joe Theismann and John Riggins. In 1981 former San Diego Chargers assistant coach Joe Gibbs was hired to improve the Redskins’ passing game. In his 12 seasons as Washington’s head coach, Gibbs delivered ten winning records, eight playoff appearances, and three Super Bowl championships. Gibbs earned his first league crown following the strike-shortened season of 1982, during which Theismann led the conference in passing and the Redskins fielded the league’s toughest defense. Washington defeated Miami 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII. During the mid 80s the Redskins dominated the National Football Conference (NFC). They were led by Theismann until a broken leg sustained during a 1985 game forced his retirement. Washington’s defense emerged as one of the finest in the National Football League (NFL), led by ends Dexter Manley and Charles Mann.

The defense was especially key in the 1987 season, when the Redskins finished the year with an 11-4 win-loss record and defeated the Denver Broncos 42-10 in the Super Bowl. In 1991 Gibbs assembled one of the most explosive offensive units in NFL history. Quarterback Mark Rypien led the National Football Conference (NFC) in yardage, and running back Earnest Byner and wide receivers Gary Clark and Art Monk each topped the 1,000 yard mark for the season. Washington Redskins also fielded the second strongest defensive pack in the National Football League (NFL). After the season the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI. Assistant Richie Petitbone replaced Gibbs after the 1992 season.. After a year, Petitbone was replaced by former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

The Redskins were one of the weaker teams in the league for much of the mid and late 1990s, but they rebounded in 1999 and lead in their division. Washington Redskins are a professional football team in the National Football League (NFL) and one of the four teams playing in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC).  The Washington Redskins play at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, and wear uniforms of burgundy, gold, and white. In football’s early days, Washington was one of the game’s most powerful clubs, capturing two league crowns and posting ten consecutive winning records from 1936 to 1945. Leading the Redskins’ high scoring offense where two time rushing champion Cliff Battles and six time passing champion Sammy Baugh, both eventually got honored to Footballs Hall of Fame. The Redskins fielded strong teams between 1971 to 1992, getting to the playoffs thirteen times, playing in five Super Bowls, and winning three of them.