Former Washington Redskins cornerback Pat Fischer died Tuesday in northern Virginia, the franchise said. The four-time All-Pro was 84 years old.
Fischer was a key part of coach George Allen’s Over-the-Hill Gang that led Washington to its first Super Bowl appearance after the 1972 season.
“I will always remember my quality talks with Pat on playing the cornerback position as it should be played,” former Redskins cornerback Mike Bass wrote on Facebook. “At 5’9, he was a great football player, great man and, in my case, a great friend.”
The undersized Fischer was later inducted into the Commanders Ring of Fame and is among 60 senior candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
Fischer, who earned the nickname “Mouse” for his 170-pound frame, embodied the scrappy nature of Allen’s ragtag ‘70s squads. After starting his 17-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Nebraska product quickly embraced his role in the District from 1968–77. With Nebraska, Fischer played safety, tailback and quarterback.
“The Over-the-Hill Gang gave us an identity, and it also stimulated us,” Fischer told The Washington Times’ columnist Thom Loverro in 2020. “We’re too old? If we had been with any other team, we probably would not have been on the team.”
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Fischer played in the league from 1961-77, was first-team All-Pro in 1964 and was picked for the Pro Bowl in ‘64, ’65 and ’69. He spent his first seven years with the St. Louis Cardinals and his final 10 with Washington, making 57 interceptions in 220 regular-season and playoff games.
A back injury ended Fischer’s NFL career after the 1977 season.
The Pro Bowler stayed in northern Virginia after his playing career ended. In 2023, Ashburn Magazine named Fischer the town’s favorite local celebrity.
“Fischer’s contributions to the team on the field and in our community will never be forgotten,” the Commanders said in a statement.
“That is a true competitor and a ballhawk,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said at his press conference before practice on Wednesday. “If you ever want to talk about competing and what it would probably look like, a pretty amazing career.”
⦁ This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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