WASHINGTON (7News) — The iconic #9.

On Friday, the Washington Commanders announced that the franchise’s legendary Hall of Fame quarterback, Sonny Jurgensen, has died at age 91.

Reaction swept across social media channels, as beloved fans posted their respects and recalled memories of Jurgensen’s 11 seasons with the Burgundy and Gold, which stretched from 1964 to his retirement from football in 1974.

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For Commanders’ minority owner Mark Ein, Jurgenson was his first sports idol.

“Sonny, like for so many people who grew up watching him, was a real hero of mine,” Ein told 7News Sports Anchor Natalie Spala. “My whole youth, I used to wear #9 on every one of my teams, whether it was basketball or soccer or any other sport I played, because I loved Sonny so much.”

Ein remembers meeting Jurgensen at a young age, and he still keeps an autographed picture Jurgensen signed for him.

“Just larger than life,” Ein said, reflecting on that moment. “Just one of those moments where you get to see someone in person who you’ve idolized both in the stands — I used to go to RFK with my dad and then watching all the games on TV — it stuck with me to today.”

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After retiring from football, Jurgensen didn’t step away from the game entirely. He spent the next 38 years as a broadcaster and was the soundtrack of the team’s Super Bowl era.

“He had a great presence, both sort of physical and spiritual, and the charism that he brought to any room he was in,” Ein added. “It’s a sad day, because he really was an amazing man, but also, it’s a day of celebrating really an extraordinary life who touched so many people.”