When you’re the new quarterback for the Washington Redskins, you just have to understand living in the shadow of former Super Bowl winner and former Redskin quarterback Joe Theismann. It’s a reality when he’s still so close to the organization.
There’s no doubt that former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins gets that. He reached out to Theismann to get his blessing to wear the No. 7 jersey that was unofficially retired prior to creating any drama, and has been very quick to praise Theismann every chance he gets.
Now that he has his blessing to trot out in that jersey number, he has big shoes to fill. Many see him as the savior of the Redskins program, and whether that’s fair or not, it’s a position I’m sure he relishes.
Theismann was asked recently to comment on seeing that No. 7 run out for the first day of Redskins training camp, and to expound on what he’s seen thus far from the former Buckeye quarterback that rewrote the single-season Big Ten and Ohio State passing records.
He was happy that the number thing was behind Haskins and that he can just get his mind around football.
“No. 7 has never looked that big on somebody,” Theismann joked. “It’s never been out here in 33-years so, I’m happy it’s behind him — it’s behind us. He has an opportunity to just focus on football” … “That 7 doesn’t move around like this 7 did, but that 7 throws the ball a lot better than this 7 did.”
He went on to speak to the opportunity, expectations and excitement for what Haskins represents.
“This is the first day of the rest of your life,” said Theismann. “I love what I see. Now are we going to be able to watch him on the field process the things he needs to, to elevate his play to where it needs to be the guy everyone hopes he is.”
You can watch the quick interview yourself below thanks to Darren M. Haynes of WUSA9 Sports.
