An era in Washington Redskins football came to an end Monday when the team agreed to waive fan-favorite LaVar Arrington. Arrington, who has been the face of the franchise throughout his troubled tenure with the team, decided after days of negotiations that the best option presented to him, was to help himself and the team by forfeiting an approximate four million dollar bonus in exchange for his release.
While many major media outlets focused on the tumultuous time Arrington had in the last few years, THN is a news resource for fans, and as such, here are five of the most memorable moments of LaVar’s career, in no particular order:
The Interception: Six games into the 2002 season, the Washington Redskins found themselves 0-5 under coach Marty Schottenheimer. In the week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers, the Redskins appeared to be heading to 0-6; enter number 56. Arrington, who had spent much of the game on the bench after suffering a concussion in the first half, intercepted a Chris Weinke screen pass and rumbled 67 yards for his first career touchdown. That play turned the game and the season around, as the ‘Skins not only won that game, but the next four, becoming the only 0-5 team ever to reach 5-5.
Post-Season Work: In the first playoff game of his career, Arrington intercepted a Chris Simms pass in the first quarter, setting up the first score of the game: a six yard score by Clinton Portis. Arrington’s play set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, with the Redskins defense winning a game in which the offense did little to help the cause. LaVar waited six long years to get his shot at the playoffs, and he made the most of the opportunity.
Hurricane Katrina Relief: September 13, 2005 is a day many Hurricane Katrina refugees displaced in Washington, D.C. will never forget. That is the day that LaVar Arrington took 215 of them on a Wal-Mart shopping spree. The same heart Arrington plays with on the field is also evident in his endeavors off the field.
Aikman’s Last Stand: Injuries are a part of the game, and while THN does not support the intentional injuring of opponent players, Arrington made his symbolic entrance onto the NFL scene when he sacked one of the most respected and most hated players in Redskin lore. The punishing hit put on Troy Aikman is one of the most memorable hits in Washington sports history. As it turned out, that was the last hit of Aikman’s storied career.
Last Minute Save: IN week 12 of Steve Spurrier’s rookie year in 2002, the Redskins saw a win slipping away, as the St. Louis Rams offense began to come alive in the fourth quarter. After scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter to draw within three, the Rams defense made a huge stop, giving their offense a chance for the win. Kurt Warner had the Rams with a second and goal on the 13, but Arrington broke through the pass protection and forced a fumble that was recovered by Daryl Gardner, preventing the Rams from scoring the go-ahead touchdown or even a game-tying field goal attempt.
There are many other moments that could have been listed here. Feel free to sign up and discuss Arrington’s career and departure on our message boards.
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