Joe Theismann is not going to allow history to repeat itself this time.
Back in 2019, rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins was drafted by the Redskins in the first round, even though not a single person in the personnel department felt he was worthy of a first-round pick. But the owner did. So the owner wasted the No. 15 overall selection when he drafted Haskins.
Haskins naively said on draft night the league had messed up by not drafting him higher. Having worn jersey No. 7 at Ohio State, Haskins requested No. 7. That jersey had not been worn since 1985, Theismann's last NFL season. The organization left it to Theismann to determine if Haskins was to wear the jersey. Perhaps the owner was attempting to honor Theismann by giving him the power of
the decision, but it actually put Theismann in a tough spot. Haskins called Theismann, and Theismann granted permission and best wishes to Haskins to wear No. 7.
It's not about asking permission to wear a retired number. It's about the team deciding. Joe Theismann says he doesn't want to be the one to decide if Stefon Diggs can wear number 7. pic.twitter.com/S7NQxEtVr5
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) August 11, 2026
Seven years later, we are there again. A Washington player is requesting to wear Theismann's old jersey, No. 7. During a phone conversation with "Grant & Danny" Tuesday on 106.7 The Fan, Theismann made it clear he is not going there again. "The jersey belongs to the football team.. I was honored to wear it.. I will leave it to the Commanders to make that decision."
The conversation was the result of last weekend, after being signed by the Commanders, Diggs posted on his Instagram account, asking the help of the Commanders fan base to get Theismann's permission for the jersey. In the post, Diggs expressed, "Y'all gotta help me...get the GOAT to bless me with that 7."
The GOAT?
What is the background here? Perhaps a mistaken notion is forming a narrative here. Yes, it is true that no Washington player has worn No. 7 since Theismann did in 1985. It's also true that the organization has protected and then retired the numbers of Sonny Jurgensen (9), Sean Taylor (21), Darrell Green (28), Sammy Baugh (33) and Art Monk (81). They also did the same for John Riggins (44), which is scheduled to be retired this season.
Taylor's number was retired because he was tragically murdered during his fourth season with the Redskins. Jurgensen, Green, Baugh and Monk are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and thus their numbers were reserved/then retired. Bobby Mitchell (49) is also in the Hall of Fame, and his number was retired, though, strangely, back in 2002, tight end Leonard Stephens was given No, 49. No one has worn the jersey since.
Is the Commanders ownership group planning on retiring Theismann's No. 7 jersey? What is their criteria in determining this question? Super Bowl-winning quarterback? Well, certainly Mark Rypien and Doug Williams never approached having a career deserving such an honor. I listen to fans saying Theismann did.
You sure about that?
I watched Joe Theismann's career in Washington. I know it well. I rooted for him vigorously. He is in the team's Ring of Honor and deservedly so. But isn't there another level of performance to have your jersey retired?
Joe Theismann came to the Redskins in 1974 and was a Pro Bowl quarterback for only two seasons, though when the Redskins were 14-2 in 1983, Theismann was voted the AP MVP. Theismann had a few very good years, a few good years, and some very average years.
Theismann was a vocal leader of those Redskins teams, one being the 1982 Super Bowl Championship team. But does anyone out there old enough to remember think he was a Hall of Fame quarterback?
So, why does the franchise continue to reserve his jersey? Is it because his career ended so harshly, abruptly and painfully? It was brutal, yes, and we all felt so much for Joe that November night in 1985. Yet, reserving his jersey all of these years has it not also brought confusion to his actual legacy? Has it also misled many others into thinking Joe's number 'should' be retired?
Was Joe Theismann as good as Chris Hanburger or Ken Houston? They are in the Hall of Fame, but their jerseys were never reserved or retired.
No, I am not saying Stefon Diggs 'should' be given No. 7. But I am asking, shouldn't the honor of a retired jersey be for a select few? So, why does much of the fan base and media continue to think Theismann does meet the criteria?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: What does Joe Theismann think of Stefon Diggs wearing his old No. 7?
