Redskins Cornerback Legend Dies at 84
Former Washington Redskins cornerback Pat Fischer passed away on Tuesday in northern Virginia, according to the franchise. He was 84 and a four-time All-Pro.
Fischer was instrumental in coach George Allen’s “Over-the-Hill Gang,” which took Washington to its first Super Bowl appearance following the 1972 season.
I’ll always cherish my conversations with Pat about playing cornerback the right way,” former Redskins cornerback Mike Bass shared on Facebook. “At 5’9″, he was an exceptional player, a remarkable person, and a wonderful friend to me.
The undersized Fischer was later honored with induction into the Commanders Ring of Fame and is among 60 senior candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
Nicknamed “Mouse” for his 170-pound frame, Fischer embodied the gritty spirit of George Allen’s eclectic ’70s teams. He began his 17-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals before making a significant impact in Washington from 1968 to 1977. At Nebraska, he showcased his versatility by playing safety, tailback, and quarterback.
The Over-the-Hill Gang gave us our identity and really motivated us,” Fischer told The Washington Times’ columnist Thom Loverro in 2020. “They said we were too old? If we had been with any other team, we probably wouldn’t have even made the roster.
Fischer played in the NFL from 1961 to 1977, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 1964 and being selected for the Pro Bowl in 1964, 1965, and 1969. He began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent his first seven seasons, before finishing his last ten years with the Washington team. Over the course of 220 regular-season and playoff games, he recorded 57 interceptions.
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