first outstanding quarterback in the history of American professional gridiron football, who led the National Football League (NFL) in forward passing in 6 of his 16 seasons (1937–52) with the Washington Redskins. On two occasions (October 31, 1943, and November 23, 1947), he passed for six touchdowns in a single game. He also excelled as a punter and as a defensive back. In 1943 he led the NFL in passing, punting, and interceptions (as a defensive back).

At Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, Baugh became the greatest passer in the Southwest Conference, a league noted for its wide-open offenses at a time when most football teams used the forward pass only sparingly. He led his team to a victory in the 1936 Sugar Bowl, helping to bring national attention to the conference and to football in the Southwest for the first time.

After graduation in 1937, Baugh joined the Redskins and also the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization, for which he played shortstop in the minor leagues for a few years. Nicknamed “Slingin' Sammy,” Baugh led the NFL in passing in his first season and helped Washington to an 8–3 record and a spot in the championship game, where he threw three touchdown passes in a 28–21 upset of the Chicago Bears. He led the NFL in passing again in 1940, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1949 and in average yards per punt in 1940–43. As a defensive back, he led the NFL in 1943 by intercepting 11 passes. He had a career record of 1,693 pass completions in 2,995 attempts (56.5 percent) for 21,886 yards and 187 touchdowns.

Baugh was head coach of two American Football League teams, the New York Titans (afterward Jets) in 1960–61 and the Houston Oilers in 1964. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.