**LANDOVER, Md. (AP)** — Darrell Green has returned to the Washington football organization, where he spent his entire NFL career, to receive a well-deserved honor.
The Commanders retired the Hall of Fame cornerback’s No. 28 during halftime of their game against Carolina, marking 22 years since his final season. This ceremony takes place in the second full season under new ownership, which has focused on mending relationships with former players that deteriorated or were neglected during Dan Snyder’s tenure.
“I honestly did not have a relationship with the team, but it didn’t matter until they surprised me with the news that they would retire my jersey,” Green shared before the game. “There was no conflict; I just went my own way after I walked out the door. … I’m really thankful that this team went through all of that. This means everything to me.”
In his speech to fans, Green expressed gratitude to owners Josh Harris, Mitch Rales, Magic Johnson, Mark Ein, and David Blitzer, many of whom grew up as his fans in the area. Despite life pulling him away from the team, the 64-year-old reaffirmed his enduring love for the community he was part of for so long.
“This is my family,” he said. “These are my people. This is our team, our organization.”
Green played a crucial role in Washington’s second and third Super Bowl victories during his two decades with the team from 1983 to 2002. Already inducted into the franchise’s ring of fame, he becomes the fifth player to have his number retired, joining the likes of Sonny Jurgensen’s No. 9, Bobby Mitchell’s No. 49, Sammy Baugh’s No. 33, and Sean Taylor’s No. 21.
Since Green’s retirement, the team has changed names more often than it has won playoff games. However, the Commanders’ 4-2 start under quarterback Jayden Daniels has rekindled hope among long-suffering fans, including a generation that Green noted “did not get to enjoy the good times” of a winning team.
“I’m sorry,” he told the crowd at Legends Plaza about 90 minutes before kickoff. “But I challenge all of you to become the die-hard supporters who ride with us as we make our comeback.”
Daniels exited the game early in the second quarter due to a rib injury.
