USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Feb 22, 2022

Hearing of Charley Taylor’s death, Saturday reminded me of another former Washington player, whose last season was also 1977. - Bill Brundige had been drafted by Washington (1970) in the second round (43rd overall) out of Colorado, where he was an All-American. - Brundige was a 6-foot-5 270 pound defensive tackle who rushed the passer well. In his 107 games, all with Washington, he totaled 49.5 sacks. - Brundige started on the 1972 NFC Champions, who defeated Green Bay 16-3 at RFK and then Dallas (26-3) in the NFC Championship at RFK. He started in Super Bowl VII two weeks later against the 16-0 Miami Dolphins. - The Redskins’ offense was being shut out as Washington trailed 14-0 when Miami lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt that could put Miami ahead 17-0, locking up a perfect 17-0 season record. It seemed to be destiny. - The snap was good to backup QB Earl Morrall, the placement was good, and the left-footed Dolphin kicker Garo Yepremian booted the ball. - But Bill Brundige, No.77, was still playing hard. Lined up over the center, he executed a swim move over the right shoulder of the long snapper, made good penetration, got his left arm up, blocking the kick. The ball bounced to his right, Yepremian grabbed the ball, and rolling a few steps further to his right, Brundidge approached closer. - Yepremian attempted a pass, but the ball slipped out of his right hand, and then he inexplicably batted it up again, and cornerback Mike Bass caught it in the air. Brundidge instinctively turned and pancaked Morrall, and Bass easily out-raced Yepremian down the left sideline to the end zone, suddenly narrowing the score to 14-7. - Miami held on for the 14-7 win, finishing 17-0. Yepremian sealed his place in NFL Super Bowl highlights for years to come, and it is the forgotten Brundige who made three good efforts on the play. - - Bill played in an era when offenses did not pass as much, and his 49.5 sacks came playing inside at defensive tackle. His career was cut short when he badly injured his foot against Buffalo in his eighth season, took a shot to play the following week against St Louis, re-injured the foot, and retired after the season. - 13.0 sacks are credited to Brundige for the 1973 season when Washington was 10-4, and the fourth seed in the playoffs where they lost at Minnesota 27-20. The Vikings lost to Miami in Super Bowl VIII. - Brundige was later a general manager of Ford Dealerships in Winchester and Front Royal, VA. In 2002, Brundige was deservedly voted to the top 70 Washington Redskins in franchise history. - At age 70, on Dec. 28, 2018, in Knoxville, TN, Bill Brundige passed from this world, losing his battle with cancer. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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