Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer used to cruise the beltway looking for targets. When Jurgensen spotted an “I like Billy” bumper sticker, he would lean out the window and jokingly taunt the driver. Then the Washington Redskins quarterbacks searched for an “I like Sonny” sticker so Billy could do the same. Thirty-seven years later, Jurgensen still chuckles over the memory.
Those bumper stickers founded a Washington tradition of fighting over the Redskins’ starting quarterback. The iconic strips of burgundy or gold backgrounds and “I root for Washington, and” in small letters followed by “I LIKE SONNY [or] BILLY” lasted only two seasons, but fans have been choosing sides ever since.
It didn’t matter if it was Jay Schroeder versus Doug Williams, Heath Shuler versus Gus Frerotte or even Colt Brennan against Chase Daniel last week for the third roster slot that neither gained, the debate has been long and lasting, polarizing and persistent.
“Every time I hear the words quarterback controversy,” said Ted Schumacher, “in my mind Billy-Sonny were the first true quarterback controversy.”
Schumacher literally dreamed up those bumper stickers in 1971. A Jurgensen fan, the University of Maryland student wanted to support his quarterback of choice. However, the business major decided to print both passers figuring it might be a good money-making venture. He probably earned an A in that class.
Schumacher convinced Rodman’s Drug Stores in Washington to buy 3,000 off the prototype. Soon, Schumacher and his three partners were hawking them outside RFK Stadium. When the team sent Schumacher a cease-and-desist order despite no team name or trademark on the stickers, the entrepreneur created the Washington Football Fan Club. The $5 membership included a bumper sticker, membership card and a kazoo that Schumacher fantasized fans would play “Hail to the Redskins” at games.
After selling 10,000 stickers, the business ended when partners disagreed over product expansion. Schumacher went into life insurance, and his recent retirement and coming relocation to Florida not far from Jurgensen brought the chore of weeding through boxes. He discovered a few dozen remaining stickers not seen in years. Schumacher has since made a few T-shirts featuring the stickers, hoping for one more Jurgensen moment.
“My fantasy would be to have Sam Huff walk into the [broadcast] booth wearing the shirt and have Sonny see him and break out laughing,” he said. “It’s all about having some laughs and remembering the old days.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or
e-mail [email protected].
