The year was 1940. The Washington Redskins had just lost to Chicago in the championship game by the score of 73-0. Looking for some deep musings on momentum swings or some other brilliant quote, a reporter asked Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh if the outcome would have changed if an end hadn’t dropped an early touchdown pass.

Baugh, many media accounts are reporting, was known for being blunt and witty. He replied to the scribe: “Yeah, it would have been 73-7.”

That’s one of the popular Baugh stories. Another had to do with comments he made to two teammates who were on the ground after having collided. “One of you put your arm up so the buzzards won’t think you’re dead,” he told them.

The 94-year-old Baugh died yesterday from a number of health issues reportedly due to dementia and old age, media reports indicate. While he apparently was reserved, witty and somewhat of a recluse, he remains one of the key characters in the growth and history of the NFL.

Baugh was one of the NFL’s first superstars, playing with Washington from 1937-1952.He played both ways, once tossing four touchdowns on offense and intercepting four on defense in a single game. He earned the nickname “Slingin’ Sammy” because he was nearly solely responsible for making the forward pass more than a late-game, desperation tactic. He also played on special teams, still holding NFL records for career punting average (45.1 yards) and season punting average (51.4 in 1940).

He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963. He dabbled in coaching for a few years after his playing days ended but retired in the mid-1960s to his ranch in West Texas. After that he made few public appearances.

When I was younger I was fascinated by the history of the NFL and Baugh’s name was one that came up repeatedly. Regardless of his under-the-radar profile for the last half century, Baugh remains one of the league’s all time icons. He made 75-year and 50-year all-time teams and his efforts changed the league for the better. His death has brought him back to the spotlight, if only temporarily. But he definitely deserves a tip of the cap for his contributions.