Joe Theismann - Definition and Overview

Joe Theismann (born September 9, 1949) was an American football star.

A graduate of Notre Dame and runner-up for the 1970 Heisman Trophy, Theismann was selected in the fourth round by the Miami Dolphins in the 1971 NFL Draft. In addition, he was also selected by the Minnesota Twins in that year's Major League Baseball Draft. However, instead of playing for the Dolphins, he elected to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He would eventually make his NFL debut with the Washington Redskins in 1974, where he spent his first couple of seasons as their punt returner. In 1978, he would become their starting quarterback.

As a quarterback, Thiesmann would set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206). He would also help lead the Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII and an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII. His career would end with a gruesome leg injury suffered at the hands of linebacker Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during a Monday Night Football game in 1985.

Theismann currently works as an analyst on ESPN's Sunday Night Football telecasts.