Veterans, Defense, and a Return to Relevance in the Nation’s Capital
When George Allen arrived in Washington in 1971, he inherited a franchise that had been wandering for nearly two decades. Allen rebuilt the Redskins in his own uncompromising image. He trusted veterans. He valued defense and field position. He ignored convention—and for seven straight seasons, it worked.
From 1971 through 1977, Washington became a perennial contender, earning the nickname The Over-The-Hill Gang and restoring pride to football in the nation’s capital.
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Allen’s teams were never flashy, but they were relentless. With Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen sharing the quarterback spotlight, Larry Brown authoring an MVP season, and a veteran-laden defense led by Chris Hanburger and Ken Houston, the Redskins reached the postseason five times and won the NFC in 1972. Even as the roster aged, Allen kept winning.
Inside This Collection
- Seven complete season narratives (1971–77)
- Full coverage of the 1972 Super Bowl run
- The Kilmer–Jurgensen quarterback dynamic
- Classic NFC rivalries with Dallas, St. Louis, and others
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Download The Over The Hill Gang for free in the OUAT Museum today.