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Mark Rypien 'Very Honored' By Ring Of Fame Inclusion

The Washington Redskins on Sunday added another name to its Ring of Fame at halftime of the franchise's annual Alummi Homecoming game against the Tennessee Titans.

With 15,928 yards and 101 touchdowns to his credit in eight seasons with the Redskins, Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien saw his name placed between Charles Mann's and John Riggins' along the upper deck at FedExField.

Legendary Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame at FedExField during the Alumni Homecoming Game vs. Titans on Sunday, October 19, 2014.

"I am so honored to share this day with my family and all of you here," Rypien, wearing his number 11 jersey, told the fans in the crowd after the unveiling. "It's a special, very special day. I'm very honored."

Before the game, the man that led 11 game-winning drives for the Redskins described the moment as "surreal," and said that he'll be checking himself in the coming days just to make sure the moment really happened.

"I'll probably pinch myself somewhat in the middle of the week next week," Rypien said. "But I think for today, I'm just going to enjoy it."

In attendance on Sunday were more than 100 Redskins alums, many of whom played alongside Rypien between 1986, when he was drafted 146th overall in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, to his final snap wearing the burgundy and gold in 1993.

Two of those players - Raleigh McKenzie and Ed Simmons – protected the Canadian-born quarterback during their tenure with the Redskins.

McKenzie remembers Rypien as a mild-mannered and "blue collar" quarterback that maintained a calm demeanor, similar to an offensive lineman.

"Mark was always a calm-natured guy and everything was always upbeat," McKenzie recalled. "He was a take-charge guy, but he was never a cocky quarterback. He was almost just like the offensive linemen. That's why we loved him a lot."

Along with staying positive and upbeat, Simmons remembers Rypien keeping the game fun, never letting his team get too serious until the situation called for it.

"He kept it light," Simmons said. "He told jokes and broke the ice a little bit so when you got out on the field, you play and you have fun. But when times got rough and we got back to the huddle, he'd take charge."

Rypien quarterbacked the Redskins for six seasons, playing in 77 games and starting 72. Finishing his tenure with a 45-27 record, he led Washington to the playoffs three straight years from 1990 to 1992. Along the way, they picked up a ring when they went 17-2 (including playoffs) during the 1991 season.

So while Sunday certainly belonged to Rypien, he certainly didn't forget about those that helped him along the way.

"Homecoming and Alumni Weekend is very special," he said. "And last night, and throughout this day today, I get to honor those that I played with. A piece of every one of those players is up there with me along with the 56,000 fans at RFK Stadium that cheered us to a Super Bowl and greatness.

"And to that, I say Hail To The Redskins."

.

. .

At halftime of the Washington Redskins Homecoming game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon, the franchise added another name to its Ring of Fame.

With 15,928 yards and 101 touchdowns to his credit in eight seasons with the Redskins, Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien saw his name placed between Charles Mann's and John Riggins' along the upper deck at FedExField.

"I am so honored to share this day with my family and all of you here," Rypien, wearing his number 11 jersey, told the fans in the crowd after the unveiling. "It's a special, very special day. I'm very honored."

Before the game, the man that led 11 game-winning drives for the Redskins described the moment as "surreal," and said that he'll be checking himself in the coming days just to make sure the moment really happened.

"I'll probably pinch myself somewhat in the middle of the week next week," Rypien said. "But I think for today, I'm just going to enjoy it."

In attendance on Sunday were more than 100 Redskins alums, many of whom played alongside Rypien between 1986, when he was drafted 146th overall in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, to his final snap wearing the burgundy and gold in 1993.

Two of those players - Raleigh McKenzie and Ed Simmons – protected the Canadian-born quarterback during their tenure with the Redskins.

McKenzie remembers Rypien as a mild-mannered and "blue collar" quarterback that maintained a calm demeanor, similar to an offensive lineman.

"Mark was always a calm-natured guy and everything was always upbeat," McKenzie recalled. "He was a take-charge guy, but he was never a cocky quarterback. He was almost just like the offensive linemen. That's why we loved him a lot."

Along with staying positive and upbeat, Simmons remembers Rypien keeping the game fun, never letting his team get too serious until the situation called for it.

"He kept it light," Simmons said. "He told jokes and broke the ice a little bit so when you got out on the field, you play and you have fun. But when times got rough and we got back to the huddle, he'd take charge."

Rypien quarterbacked the Redskins for six seasons, playing in 77 games and starting 72. Finishing his tenure with a 45-27 record, he led Washington to the playoffs three straight years from 1990 to 1992. Along the way, they picked up a ring when they went 17-2 (including playoffs) during the 1991 season.

So while Sunday certainly belonged to Rypien, he certainly didn't forget about those that helped him along the way.

"Homecoming and Alumni Weekend is very special," he said. "And last night, and throughout this day today, I get to honor those that I played with. A piece of every one of those players is up there with me along with the 56,000 fans at RFK Stadium that cheered us to a Super Bowl and greatness.

"And to that, I say Hail To The Redskins."

.

. .

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