Ron Jaworski

At 73 years old, Ron Jaworski has this physical status:

Professional career

Jaworski, who was drafted in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, was originally drafted as an overlooked third-string quarterback. Jaworski played a lot in 1975, due to injuries to John Hadl and James Harris.

In 1975, Jaworski made his playoff debut against the St. Louis Cardinals. As the Rams benefited from 28 points to win 35-23, Jaworski threw 12-of-23 for 203 yards and a touchdown when running for a touchdown. The Rams won their second straight NFC Championship Game, this time against the Dallas Cowboys. Jaworski was not the first starting quarterback for the championship game (played at home in Los Angeles), as James Harris threw the first two passes of the game for them, one of which resulted in an interception that resulted in Jaworski's being called in. While being suspended five times as the Cowboys rolled the Rams 37–7, he went 11-of-22 for 147 yards and two interceptions while being sacked five times.

Pat Haden was supposed to be the primary starter in 1976, but Jaworski made two starts and appeared in three other games, winning both games despite throwing a combined 20-of-52 for 273 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.

Jaworski was traded by the Rams to Charle Young, a former All-Pro tight end, but no one protested the trade, so it was allowed to stand. Jaworski was given the chance to start for the up-and-coming Eagles with a young Dick Vermeil as his mentor. Vermeil's early quarterback was not a natural fit, but the Eagles soon became a playoff team. The Eagles made the playoffs as the newly promoted fifth seed in 1978, defeating the Atlanta Falcons. On a 13-yard pass to Harold Carmichael, giving them a 6–0 lead at halftime. Despite leading 13–0 in the fourth quarter, Jaworski and the Eagles were unable to prevent a Steve Bartkowski rally in the last five minutes, which culminated in a 14–13 victory for the Falcons, despite them turning the ball over five times. With just 13 seconds to play, Jaworski was able to get the Eagles to the Falcons' 16-yard-line, but punter/kicker Mike Michel missed what should have been the game-winning field goal from 34 yards away. Jaworski threw 19-of-35 for 190 yards with one touchdown while being suspended three times for his part. It's the only postseason game of 2021 to have both starting quarterbacks be of Polish origins.

Vermeil converted the Eagles into a Super Bowl squad, and Jaworski was its head on offense along with former Hall of Fame wide receiver Harold Carmichael and Pro Bowl running back Wilbert Montgomery. Jaworski led the team to a #47 seed in the first NFL postseason game at Veterans Stadium and the first one in the city since 1960. Although Jaworski missed the first touchdown pass of the game to Carmichael, the Bears roared to a 17-ten halftime lead. As the Eagles rallied to defeat 27-17, Jaworski threw both the tying pass and the tiebreaking score to Carmichael and Billy Campfield. Jaworski was 12-of-23 for 204 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, despite being kicked three times. In the divisional round, the Eagles traveled to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles could only watch as the Buccaneers scored 17 points to open the game before Jaworski threw a touchdown pass to Charlie Smith in the second quarter, making it 17-7 at halftime. Despite a dramatic drive by Jaworski that did not finish to the 45-yard line), the Buccaneers stayed stead, winning by 24–17. With two touchdowns and sacks, Jaworski threw 15-of-39 for 199 yards.

The Eagles began losing the NFC Eastern Division for the first time since 1960, defeating the eventual Super Bowl champions the Oakland Raiders and winning the NFC Eastern Division for the first time since 1960. Jaworski had a fruitful season and was named the UPI "NFL Player of the Year" by the University. He also received the Bert Bell Award, the Maxwell Football Club's Top Player of the Year award, and the Dunlop Rubber Professional Athlete of the Year award. The Eagles trailed 14-7 at halftime in Philadelphia, but Jaworski started the second half the same way he began the first half, with a touchdown pass that made it a tie game. The Eagles defeated 31-16 after a series of eleven combined turnovers from each team. When being sacked twice, including once in the endzone, Jaworski was 17-of-38 for 190 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Eagles faced the Dallas Cowboys, their division rivals, in the NFC Championship Game. After being tied at halftime to win 20–7, led by Wilbert Montgomery, the Eagles pulled off a rushing attack for 13 unanswered points in the second half. Jaworski went 9-of-29 for 91 yards, two interceptions, and sacks, but the Eagles won their first Super Bowl ever. In Super Bowl XV, Jaworski and the Eagles ran into a brick wall in the Oakland Raiders. Despite being marginal favorites, the Eagles had four turnovers in the game, including an interception on the first drive that gave the Raiders the ball at the Eagles' 30-yard line for a potential touchdown. A 40-yard pass from Jaworski to Rodney Parker would have resulted in a tied score, but Carmichael was suspended for unlawful movement, but the first half had a missed Tony Franklin field goal, which made it 14-3. The Raiders forged on their offensive to win 27-10. With a lost fumble, Jaworski threw 18-of-38 for 291 yards.

In 1981, Jaworski led the Eagles to their fourth straight playoff appearance. In the wild card round, the Eagles faced the New York Giants at home. Despite their best efforts in a 27-21 loss, the Eagles could not beat 20 points scored by New York in the first quarter. When being sacked three times, Jaworski went 13-of-24 for 154 yards for one touchdown.

Jaworski was suspended and suspended in Week 2 after a shaky start to the 1985 season opener; Jaworski later returned to the starter's role and excelled, winning NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards in Week 7. In 1985, Mike Quick set a record for a 99-yard overtime touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons, tying a record set in football. After Jaworski sustained another injury in the 2013 season, Eagles coach Buddy Ryan made Cunningham his starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Jaworski did not re-sign the team until the season's end, and he was eventually released. As the Eagles' starting quarterback, he had a record of 69 victories, 67 losses, and one tie.

In 1987, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as a backup to quarterback Dan Marino. Jaworski never played in 1987, and he saw limited action in 1988.

In 1989, Jaworski moved to the Kansas City Chiefs, starting two games in a quarterback rotation that included Steve DeBerg and Steve Pelluer. At one time, he and center Mike Webster became the second oldest starting QB–center pairing in NFL history. He resigned at the end of the season.

Jaworski finished his 17-season career with 2,187 passes on 4,117 attempts for 28,190 yards, 179 touchdowns, and 164 interceptions. He rushed for 859 yards and 16 touchdowns. With 116, he had the most consecutive starts by a quarterback, including Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco, and Matthew Stafford.

When Jaworski retired, he was the Eagles' all-time champion in victories, passing yards, pass attempts, and passing touchdowns until Donovan McNabb's totals were tallied. Jaworski currently ranks second on the Eagles' all time list of quarterbacks, as well as the longest pass completion in Eagles history, as of 2022.

Post-NFL career

Jaworski was a part owner and team president of the Philadelphia Souls of the Arena Football League. He also served as Chairman of the AFL's Executive Committee. He is also one of India's top investors and advisors. Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, and NFL linebacker Brandon Chillar are among the notable American backers. Jaworski, the owner/operator of Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, New Jersey, is the owner and operator of the Downingtown Country Club in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Ramblewood country club in Mount Laurel NJ, and Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove, New Jersey. In addition, Ron Jaworski Golf Management, West Deptford, New Jersey, Honey Run country club in New Jersey, and Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, manages RiverWinds Golf & Tennis Club.

In 1976, Jaworski's first on air broadcast experience as the sports director on the Bob Shannon morning show in Orange County, California, although Ron was still a Rams player. He also served as a sports commentator for WIP (Ron Jaworski Show, 1988), co-host Celebrity Sports Talk and Eagles wrap-around programs, 1990, and 1992 Eagles post-game show WYSP. He appeared on ESPN's television crew for the second half of its opening-night Monday Night Football doubleheader on September 11, 2006, alongside Brad Nessler and Dick Vermeil. Jaworski appeared on WFLA-TV from 2003 to 2006. He was also the color commentator for Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason games. Joe Theismann was shot and killed as color commentator for ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts in 2007, where he and Mike Tirico teamed with Tony Kornheiser (2007–2008) and Jon Gruden (2009–2011). The Monday Night Football broadcast crew will be limited to just Gruden and Tirico in the booth, according to ESPN. Jaworski has signed a five-year contract with ESPN and will continue to work as an NFL analyst on other teams. ESPN announced in late April 2017 that they would be laying off certain on-air stars from their network. After years with ESPN, Ed Werder, who was announced a few days earlier, hinted that Jaworski was also being let go after years with the network. "How is ESPN going to cover the NFL without all of the people who's been laid off?" What happens if Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski are out of a match for NFL? Is this really going to be a time when ESPN can no longer afford to protect its most valuable asset in the way it has historically? Werder said. Jaworski has yet to decide whether Werder's remarks are accurate or not. Since 2020, Ron Jaworski has been an analyst for select weeks of Westward One Monday Night Football.

Jaworski is also a published author. The Games That Changed the Game, his first book, was published in 2010. The book includes seven games in NFL history that have dramatically changed the strategies and tactics used in football.

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