Coach Joe Gibbs returned to his NFL roots on Tuesday with a visit to Washington Commanders training camp. He brought along his grandson, Cup Series driver Ty Gibbs, who took part in a unique jersey swap.
Gibbs, who drives the No. 54 Toyota, spent some time talking to linebacker Bobby Wagner, who wears No. 54 for the Washington Commanders. They capped off their meeting by exchanging pieces of equipment with their respective numbers.
Wagner autographed a Commanders jersey and handed it to Gibbs. The reigning Rookie of the Year then autographed a piece of sheet metal from his Cup Series and handed it to the six-time All-Pro defender.
54 🤝 54@JoeGibbsRacing | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/JrB4PageJ2
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 6, 2024
Like Gibbs, Wagner made a splash early in his NFL career. He joined the Seattle Seahawks as a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and he immediately took over as a starter. Wagner registered three interceptions, two sacks, and 140 total tackles as a rookie before ending the season second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Wagner has played in 185 games and started 183 games. He has been named to the Pro Bowl nine times and been named an All-Pro six times. He was a key cog in the Seattle defense that held the Denver Broncos to a mere three points in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Having these two athletes exchange equipment at Washington's training camp was a fitting choice considering the ties between the NASCAR and NFL organizations. After all, Coach Gibbs achieved great success with both organizations while earning a spot in two different Hall of Fames.
Coach Gibbs also got involved in the action at training camp. He spent time talking to Dan Quinn, who took over as head coach of the Commanders in February, and he spent time talking to the assembled football players. He also spent time signing autographs for the fans in attendance.
C0ach Gibbs took over as head coach of the Washington Commanders -- then the Washington Redskins -- ahead of the 1981 NFL season. He remained as the head coach of the team through the 2007 season while compiling a win-loss record of 154-94.
Coach Gibbs achieved considerable success with the NFL franchise. He won the Super Bowl three times (1982, 1987, and 1991). His team won the NFC in the 1983 season but lost to the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII. Coach Gibbs only had a losing record in three of his 16 seasons as head coach.
Coach Gibbs made his move to NASCAR in the early 1990s. His first season in the Cup Series was in 1992 as Dale Jarrett made 29 starts. His first season in the Xfinity Series was in 1997.
The move to NASCAR has led to significant success. Coach Gibbs has celebrated five Cup Series championships and four Xfinity Series championships. He has celebrated 214 Cup wins and 211 Xfinity wins.