It is certainly no secret to those who know the NFL that Bobby Beathard was, along with Joe Gibbs the major contributor to the greatness of those Washington teams (1981-1992).
Beathard’s last season with Washington was in 1988, but when Washington won Super Bowl XXVI (1991 season), they were still many on the roster whom Beathard brought to Washington.
Even more, it was Beathard who hired Washington’s new head coach in 1981, a coach who had never been a head coach in football at any level. Yet, Beathard believed his target was organized, gave attention to detail, could work with people, and was very competitive. So Beathard hired Joe Gibbs, and the rest is history.
Beathard, age 86, died in his home Monday in Franklin, Tennessee.
Here are some of the reactions from around the league and media to the death of the great Bobby Beathard.
Al Galdi - Host of The Al Galdi Podcast
RIP Bobby Beathard. Best executive in D.C.-sports history. Here's his all-time-great 1981 NFL Draft for the Skins:
1st rd: Mark May
3rd rd: Russ Grimm
5th rd: Dexter Manley
8th rd: Charlie Brown
9th rd: Darryl Grant
12th rd: Clint DidierAnd…Joe Jacoby as a UDFA.#Commanders
— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) February 1, 2023
Pro Football Hall of Fame
We are saddened to share the news that Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Beathard has passed away at age 86. #HOFForever
More Info: https://t.co/c2w422KGaJ pic.twitter.com/xRQTrrYjug
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 1, 2023
Ben Standig - Sr. Writer @theathletic (Commanders/NFL). Pod: Standig Room Only.
The architect of Washington’s roster during its championship heyday passes away nearly 40 years to the day of the franchise's first Super Bowl triumph. Drafted Art Monk and Darrell Green, unearthed Joe Jacoby. RIP, Bobby Beathard. https://t.co/sgliC3sILi
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 1, 2023
Nicki Jhabvala - Washington NFL reporter for @washingtonpost
Bobby Beathard, Hall of Fame football executive, dies at 86 https://t.co/Ajy9LhNRV8
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 1, 2023
Jim Trotter - NFL.com. Author. ESPN & SI alum. Howard grad. HoF voter.
I wrote about Bobby when he was inducted into the HOF. I was honored/nervous when his wife trusted me to disclose publicly that Bobby was battling Alzheimer’s. It was the last time I saw him in person. To know him is to miss him. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/pryFcqvQ0r
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) February 2, 2023
Los Angeles Chargers
one of the best to ever do it.
rest easy, bobby 💙 pic.twitter.com/Hs1BEON8Lv
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) February 1, 2023
Kevin Gallagher - NFL Historian
RIP Bobby Beathard 🙏
Longtime AFL/NFL scout and later four-time #SuperBowl champion executive — twice as the #Dolphins' director of player personnel in 1972 and 1973, and twice as the #WashingtonFootball general manager in 1982 and 1987
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 pic.twitter.com/5AX9aEr36w
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 2, 2023
Washington Commanders
Rest in peace, Bobby 💛 pic.twitter.com/KPauvZdmU2
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 1, 2023
Washington Commanders official statement on death of Bobby Beathard
Peter King
One of the great personnel people in NFL history. What a great life he lived.
On a personal note, he spent hours with me explaining scouting, team-building and the game back when that was possible.
Beathard/Gibbs built 1 of the great teams of the last 50 years.
RIP to a good man. https://t.co/gW25fpXE2i— Peter King (@peter_king) February 1, 2023
Miami Dolphins
We are saddened by the passing of former Dolphins executive & Hall of Famer, Bobby Beathard.
Our thoughts are with his family & loved ones during this time. pic.twitter.com/KJfyrX8Ulj
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 1, 2023
Rick Snider - Longtime Washington sportswriter who covered Beathard
Rick Snider’s Washington says Rest in Peace Bobby Beathard, architect of the great Washington Redskins’ Super Bowl years. Gimme two minutes. pic.twitter.com/5ruJlEhVhB
— Rick Snider's Washington (@Snide_Remarks) February 1, 2023
Grant Paulsen - 106.7 The Fan's Grant & Danny
This Bobby Beathard draft was a master-class. My goodness. RIP to one of the most important figures in DC sports history. pic.twitter.com/yOyNkdFsKV
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 1, 2023
Scott Abraham - ABC 7 in Washington
I had the honor of interviewing Bobby Beathard in November 2016 on the sidelines of FedEx Field.
He was getting inducted into the Washington Ring of Fame.
At the time, Beathard was so proud to be associated with this franchise.
Rest In Peace.pic.twitter.com/l8ZD4avU2o
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) February 2, 2023
Jim Irsay - Colts owner
Rest in Peace, Bobby Beathard. One of a kind, and an all-time great. 🙏
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) February 1, 2023
