If you ever walk into the Northwest Stadium, look up, and you will see the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame. It circles the stadium with the names of players and coaches who had standout careers with the Washington Redskins. There are currently 51 members immortalized, many who come from the Joe Gibbs era, where we saw all its championship years.
Some of the names were automatic choices. Legends like Sammy Baugh, Darrell Green, and John Riggins.
But when you scan the complete list, there are some glaring omissions.
Three Retired Players Who Belong in the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame
Chris Cooley
Let’s start with the most obvious one. Chris Cooley played tight end during his time in Washington when the offense struggled. Despite that, Cooley became one of the most beloved players during that era.
The fans could not get enough of him.
During his eight years with Washington, Cooley made two Pro Bowls and had 428 receptions, the greatest number of receptions by a tight end in franchise history.
But Cooley’s stats are only a small piece of why he is beloved. His connection with the fan base was second to none. He brought a ton of personality to the offense, had no problem engaging with the media, and at times even in a humorous way. Cooley had no problem embracing the spotlight. He often brought levity during a time when it was not fun to be a Redskins fan.
When it comes down to it, the fans appreciated Cooley’s authenticity, and he will always be a fan favorite.
Ryan Kerrigan
Much like Chris Cooley, Ryan Kerrigan owns a franchise record.
95.5 all-time sacks. Nobody is beating that any time soon.
Pass rushers spend entire careers chasing numbers like that, and Kerrigan did it while playing ten seasons in Washington. Part of the reason he holds that number is because of his consistency of play. From 2011 to 2019, Kerrigan only missed two games. He was legitimately the Redskins “ironman” accomplish a remarkable feat considering the sheer number of snaps he took.
The reputation he built inside the locker room also deserves attention. Teammates respected the way he approached the game. Coaches trusted him. Younger players often pointed to him as an example of how to handle life in the league.
Kerrigan is still widely respected by the organization, as he was brought in as a defensive assistant in 2022. Although he departed his role earlier this year due to a new defensive coordinator taking over, it’s reported that he left on good terms with the team.
Hopefully, Kerrigan will soon be near the front of the line when the next Ring of Fame class is discussed.
Ricky Sanders
Ricky Sanders might be the most puzzling omission of all three candidates.
If you were a Redskins fan of the 1980s and 1990s, you knew who The Posse was: Art Monk, undoubtedly the greatest receiver in Redskins history, and Gary Clark, one of the greatest number two receivers in the game, who could have easily been number one on any other team. Both Monk and Clark have already made their way into the Ring of Fame.
And then there was Sanders. He would get most of his touches as the number two receiver opposite of Gary Clark, while Monk would handle most of the possession routes. Of the three members of The Posse, Sanders may have been the most versatile. He could be a big play deep threat when needed. Washington often used motion and route combinations that allowed Sanders to find soft spots in coverage, which allowed him to move around and find openings.
Then there is Super Bowl XXII.
Nine catches. 193 yards. Two touchdowns. Sanders delivered one of the greatest performances not only in Washington history, but in Super Bowl history that night.
Big moments by players in championship games often get etched into fans’ memories: David Tyree and Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants for their remarkable catches that led to Super Bowl wins over the New England Patriots, Larry Brown’s fourth-quarter interception, securing the Dallas Cowboys’ third Super Bowl victory in three years over the Pittsburgh Steelers, or Malcolm Butler’s interception in the end zone, putting the Patriots over the Seattle Seahawks in a game that should have gone Seattle’s way.
Ricky Sanders is that guy in Washington, and it’s time he goes into the Ring of Fame.
The Case for Recognition
The Ring of Fame exists to celebrate players who helped shape the identity of Washington football.
Chris Cooley, Ryan Kerrigan, and Ricky Sanders deserve to be enshrined there. Their careers represent different eras of the franchise, yet each left a lasting mark on the team and its fans. When the next names are added to the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame, all three should be part of that conversation.