Commanders season opener in 23 days: Washington’s best No. 23

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 23 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 23?

Washington has had a number of very good players who wore No. 23.

Todd Bowles (1986-90, 92-93) might have been undrafted through 12 rounds but he ended up starting 68 games for Washington, intercepting 14 passes, recovering 5 fumbles, starting every game for four seasons, including the 1987 Super Bowl Championship season.

DeAngelo Hall (2008-17) was the 8th overall selection of the Atlanta Falcons out of Virginia Tech in 2004. In his ten Washington seasons, Hall intercepted 232 passes, returned three for touchdowns, defended 80 passes, forced 8 fumbles, recovered 9 fumbles, returning 3 for touchdowns. He was credited with 510 tackles (373 solo, 142 assists) 17 for losses. Hall was a Pro Bowler in the 2010 season. October 24, 2010, Hall intercepted four Jay Cutler (Bears) passes, including a 92-yard touchdown return. In 2022, Hall was named one of the top 90 players in Washington history.

Tony Peters (1979-82, 84-85) came to Washington after his first four NFL seasons in Cleveland. Peters started started 57 Washington games, intercepting 11 passes and recovering 3 fumbles. The former Oklahoma Sooner was a Pro Bowler strong safety, leading the secondary during the 1982 Super Bowl Championship season.

Brig Owens (1966-77) is the greatest player in franchise history to wear No. 23. The former Cincinnati Bearcat was versatile enough that coaches could play him at both strong and free safety throughout his career. He started 123 games for Washington, intercepted 36 passes (second in franchise history), returning three for touchdowns. Owens also recovered 10 fumbles, returning two for touchdowns. Owens finished first in Washington history with the most yards gained from interceptions with 686 (Darrell Green 621).

In the highest scoring game in NFL history Washington defeated the NY Giants 72-41. It was Owens who scored two defensive touchdowns in the game, when he returned an interception 60 yards and a recovered fumble 62 yards.

Perhaps his biggest moments came in big games. In 1973 on Monday Night Football Washington and Dallas were tied 7-7 in the final quarter when Owens intercepted a Craig Morton pass, returning it 26 yards for the game-winning touchdown. In Super Bowl VII Owens intercepted a Bob Griese pass in the end zone ending a Miami scoring threat.

Owens was voted one of the 70 Best Redskins in 2002 and inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame in 2012.

Story originally appeared on Commanders Wire