Joe was selected as the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1982 for his community service and dedication to the health and welfare of children.  In 1983, he won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award, leading the Redskins to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Joe Theismann’s career ended abruptly in 1985 after sustaining a badly broken leg during a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants on national television.  In 2003, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and in 2013 received the Walter Camp Football Foundation “Distinguished American” Award.

Joe was selected in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins and in the 39th round of the 1971 Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins.  After negotiations with the Dolphins failed, Joe elected to sign with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.  In his rookie year, he quarterbacked the Argonauts to a 1-4 record, led the league’s Eastern Conference in passing statistics and won a berth in the Grey Cup championship game in Vancouver, British Columbia versus the Calgary Stampeders (59th Grey Cup).

In 1971, Joe completed 148 of 278 passes for 2,440 yards and 17 touchdowns.  His 1972 season was shortened by injury, but he hit 77 of 127 passes for 1,157 yards and ten touchdowns.  During his last CFL season, 1973, 157 of his 247 passes were complete, for 2,496 yards and both 13 touchdowns and interceptions.  He was All-Star in both 1971 and 1973.

In 1974, the Washington Redskins obtained Joe’s rights from the Dolphins in exchange for the team’s first round draft pick in 1976.  Joe left the CFL and joined the Redskins where he served as the team’s punt returner during his first season.  In 1978, Joe became the Redskins starting quarterback, succeeding Billy Kilmer. In 1982, Joe led the Redskins to their first championship in 40 years against the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.

In 1985, Joe broadcasted Super Bowl XIX, alongside Frank Gifford and Don Meredith, becoming only the second player to do commentary on a Super Bowl telecast while still an active player.  Joe was a color commentator on regional CBS NFL coverage in 1986 and 1987.  He then worked on ESPN’s Sunday Night Football telecasts from 1988-2005 and on their Monday Night Football coverage in 2006.  In 2009, Joe would analyze game films on NFL Network on the show Playbook.  On January 9, 2010, he served as color commentator, along with former head coach Joe Gibbs for the Saturday AFC Wild Card Game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals.  Joe also co-hosted NFL games on NBC in 2010 and co-hosted NFL Network’s No Huddle in 2011.

Joe’s popularity and persona have afforded him additional TV and Movie opportunities. His credits include: B.J. and the Bear (1981), Cannonball Run II (1984), The Man from Left Field (1993) and Hallmark’s Love on the Sidelines (2015).