Washington Redskins’ Super Bowl XVII Victory

The Washington Redskins’ victory in Super Bowl XVII on January 30, 1983, marked a triumphant moment for the team as they defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-17, capturing their first Super Bowl championship under head coach Joe Gibbs.

Super Bowl XVII was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and featured the Washington Redskins, who represented the National Football Conference (NFC), and the Miami Dolphins, who represented the American Football Conference (AFC). The Redskins were led by head coach Joe Gibbs, quarterback Joe Theismann, and running back John Riggins, while the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula and featured quarterback David Woodley and running back Andra Franklin.

The first half of the game was dominated by the Dolphins, who led 17-10 at halftime, with a key 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Fulton Walker. However, the Redskins’ defense held Miami scoreless in the second half, allowing the team to stage a comeback. The turning point of the game came in the fourth quarter when Redskins’ running back John Riggins broke free for a 43-yard touchdown run on a fourth-down play, giving Washington the lead for the first time in the game.

The Redskins went on to score another touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Joe Theismann to wide receiver Charlie Brown, securing a 27-17 victory and their first Super Bowl championship. John Riggins, who set a Super Bowl record with 166 rushing yards and scored the game-winning touchdown, was named Super Bowl MVP.

The victory in Super Bowl XVII was a significant milestone for the Washington Redskins, as it was the team’s first Super Bowl win in franchise history. The win also marked the beginning of a successful era for the team under head coach Joe Gibbs, who would lead the Redskins to two more Super Bowl championships in 1987 and 1991.