During the 2024 season, the Washington Commanders franchise legend Darrell Green will have his No. 24 retired, as announced by the team on Thursday. Green, who spent all 20 seasons of his NFL career in Washington, was invited to the team’s training facility to record a video for the 2024 NFL Draft class. Little did he know, he was asked to read a script announcing the retirement of his jersey number, which came as a complete surprise to Green.
Expressing his shock and humility, Green stated, “I would’ve never dreamed this. I was so shocked. It’s almost like it breathed life into me. I have never been so surprised, shocked. My head is still spinning, but I am a million percent humbled.” A first-round pick from Texas A&M–Kingsville as a cornerback, Green had a remarkable career, only missing a total of 25 games and recording 54 interceptions, six of which were returned for touchdowns.
Green, a two-time Super Bowl winner, seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, the 1996 Walter Payton Man of the Year, and a member of the franchise’s Ring of Fame, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He will join Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell, Sammy Baugh, and Sean Taylor as one of only five players in franchise history to have his number retired. A date will be finalized to honor Green once the 2024 NFL schedule is released in May.