That’s how The Sporting News described Sammy Baugh in its list of the 100 greatest athletes of all-time.

Baugh, who turns 90 today and will celebrate his birthday with a fundraiser at Western Texas College Saturday, is number 11 on that list, and is the only player to have his number (33) retired by the Washington Redskins.

A colorful character who also starred in a Western serial, Baugh led Washington to five championship games and two NFL titles, playing his entire 16-year career without a facemask.

Baugh was more than just a quarterback, especially in the way those of us under 40 view the position.

In the first half of his career, he was a triple threat halfback in the Redskins’ single-wing offense and spent the second half earning All-Pro honors running the innovative T-formation.

Legend has it that Baugh earned the nickname “Slingin’ Sammy” not from his football delivery, but from his days playing shortstop and third base at TCU. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals to play third, but decided to try his hand at pro football after he was sent to the minors.

Baugh also was more than just an offensive weapon.

A two-way player early in his career, Baugh led the league in passing in 1943 while leading the league in interceptions as a defensive back. He also led the league in punting that year, and still holds the all-time record for career punting average (45.1 yards) and season average (51.4).

Once, he threw four touchdowns and picked off four passes -- in the same game.

But it was at quarterback where Baugh made his biggest impact.

He was renown for delivering the ball with pinpoint accuracy and blistering velocity, and would throw the ball from all angles -- sidearm, underhand, off his back foot -- connecting with both bullets and touch passes.

Before Sammy Baugh, conservative coaches treated the forward pass as a desperation play. After Baugh, the whole offensive philosophy of the league changed, moving the forward pass from afterthought to an integral part of the game plan.

Baugh held 16 major records when he retired, including passing yardage (21,886) and touchdowns (187) -- both totals unheard of in his era. He was a six-time passing champion and recorded a completion percentage of 70.33 in 1945, a record that stood for 37 years.

A nine-time All-Pro, Baugh is the only remaining living member from the original 17 inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

He was enshrined in the college hall in 1951, and was the sixth overall selection in the 1937 draft.

When the Chicago Bears pounded the Redskins, 73-0, in the worst beating in league history in the 1940 championship game, a Washington receiver dropped a sure touchdown pass in the end zone. Baugh was asked if the play would have changed the outcome of the game.

“Yeah,” he replied. “It would have made it 73-7.”