He went on to lead the league in passing six times. He still holds Redskins records for career touchdown passes (187) and completion percentage in a season (70.3). His 31 interceptions are third on the team's all-time list.
"There's nobody any better than Sam Baugh was in pro football," said Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who grew up following the fellow West Texan's career, then was coached by Baugh with the New York Titans in 1960-61.
"When I see somebody picking the greatest player around, to me, if they didn't go both ways, they don't really deserve to be nominated. I always ask, 'Well, how'd he do on defense? How was his punting?' "
Even with all his success with the Redskins, Baugh's goal every fall was to get back to the ranch.
"I was always so damn glad to get out of Washington," he said. "I enjoyed those years, but I always got out of there as fast as I could. I don't like any damn city, and that's all there is to it. I don't enjoy it one bit."
He bought the Double Mountain Ranch, named for two hills that jut out of the flat earth north of his house, in 1941. He and his wife, Edmonia, who died in 1990, raised five children on the arid expanse covered with mesquite trees, prickly pear cactus and about 500 cows.
He came to the ranch full time in the mid-1960s, after several coaching stops.
"I felt like I was giving up something I really liked, not being able to stay out here on this ranch and ride horses and tend cattle and stuff like that," Baugh said. "That, to me, was the best part of my life. I look back at it now and I'd give anything to do what I used to do."
Baugh pauses, then laughs.
"Of course, without the football, there wouldn't be the ranch."
