By Leonard Shapiro
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday May 2, 1975; Page D1

"I didn't want it to happen this way. I still feel I can make a contribution. I can still help somebody win. Apparently they don't feel that way."
—Sonny Jurgensen, May 1, 1975

Sonny Jurgensen became the Reluctant Retiree yesterday on orders of George Allen.

"I still think I can do it," Jurgensen said at an emotional news conference. Earlier, Allen made it clear he was not of the same opinion.

"Money was a factor," Allen admitted at his conference at Redskin Park, with Jurgensen sitting a few feet away. "But Sonny has been injured three of the four years I've been here.

"We have a young quarterback named Joe Theismann who has to be developed. We felt that Billy Kilmer could play 14 games and that Theismann would back him up."

"Retirement never comes easy, but the worst thing that can happen to us is to stand still... Money was not the factor as much as it was played up. It was decision that will help the Redskins. It will make us a stronger team down the line.

"This is the toughest decision I've had to make in my coaching career."

Because he played out his option and is now a free agent, the Redskins do not have to place Jurgensen on a retirement list, according to Jan Van Duser, the NFL's director of personnel. If another NFL team signed him, the Redskins could demand compensation.

Allen stated firmly that "I don't want to trade Billy Kilmer. I think Billy Kilmer will be our quarterback. He's under contract for the next two years, he likes our program.

"The only reason I've done some searching around (Kilmer had asked to be traded) is my high regard for him. We cannot get the value that Kilmer is worth. Billy's value on the market is not what the Redskins deserve to receive."

Allen said yesterday that Kilmer would be No. 1— "he's done it, he'll do it again"— Theismann No. 2— "he's a fine young prospect who has to prove himself"— and newly-acquired Randy Johnson No. 3— "he has the experience and ability but has never won."

At his press conference at Duke Zeibert's Restaurant, Jurgensen said he learned last week during a meeting with Allen at the Dulles Marriott that "I was not in the Redskin's plans."

"I'm not here to criticize the decision," he said. "He's got to judge what talents he's got. It's unfortunate at 41 I'm no longer in the picture. It's a very unhappy day."

Jurgensen said Allen told him "there's no place for you if Billy comes back, but don't announce your retirement.

"It was like we need you but we don't need you. I made up my mind last week... It wasn't a need I wanted to be part of.

"I understand what he's doing. Whether I like it or not is another thing... It's not being replaced by anyone. What's important is the dignity of going out.

"They said I was too much of a luxury; those were his (Allen's) words."

Jurgensen appeared at a press conference called to formally announce his association with Sci-Tek, a financial management firm. Early in the session, he spoke about his teammates— "the people I'll miss most"— and his eyes filled with tears. He paused for a moment, then recovered. "Why don't you ask a few questions?" he mumbled.

During the 43 minute session, Jurgensen said an attorney for the Philadelphia Bell in the World Football League had contacted him and "I had a very nice offer."

"My lawyers will talk with their people and I'll sit down and evaluate it." Bell owner John Bosacco said last week he was ready to offer Jurgensen a contract estimated at $1 million and reiterated that last night. He hopes to meet with Jurgensen next week.

Jurgensen said he has spoken to the representatives at CBS "but I have not made a commitment."

He will do the color analysis on Redskin exhibitions for WMAL-TV, he said.

Jurgensen said he had spoken with Kilmer yesterday, and if the Redskins believe they will be economizing on salaries they are mistaken.

Billy said if you're retiring, they can just tack that onto my salary," Jurgensen said. "Billy can do that. He should. They need him that badly. He can demand whatever he wants. I'll bet he'll get it, too.

"I don't blame him a bit. I don't think the economics of the thing will work out the way they thought... I really believe Billy will be here next year."

But Sonny Jurgensen will not, and that is not he way he had expected to depart the game he has played for 29 years.

"I would have like to have made the decision myself," he said. "For someone to say we don't need you any more..." He did not finish the sentence.

Was this the sole decision of George Allen, he was asked? "Yes."

Allen said the Redskins would retire Jurgensen's No. 9 jersey and that the quarterback would be welcome to visit the team at training camp and at practice. Jurgensen smiled.

Many of his teammates did not.

"I'm deeply saddened that he will not be with the Redskins," said tight end Jerry Smith, one of Jurgensen's favorite receivers.

"I remember so many games. I remember a smiling face in the huddle, a person who lived life to the fullest, a man who wasn't afraid to express himself at a time when it simply wasn't in vogue.

"Every pass that man threw fit the situation. Fast, slow, curve, knuckleball, 70 yards, two inches. They were always accurate. If it wasn't complete, it wasn't No. 9's fault.

"Hey, how do you say goodbye to a legend?"

"We've been through a lot together," said wide receiver Charley Taylor.

"When I was a green running back, he took me over one day and said 'Hey kid, be cool. I can help you.' Sonny didn't care what defense somebody was in. Give him any time at all, and he'd find somebody open. I'm gonna' miss him."

"I only got to play with him for two years," said linebacker Dave Robinson, who is 36 and also heading toward the end of a career, "and I'm happy I got the chance.

"Whey you're young in this game, you're like AT&T, your stock is going up every year. When you get older, the stock goes down. If he was forced out, I think it just shows exactly what football is all about."

"This is reality."

Three other veterans from last year's team became free agents yesterday: Duane Thomas, Verlon Biggs and Larry Smith... Allen said he expects all to sign and play next year... Abner Haynes, Thomas' agent, said yesterday, "We keep waiting for Washington to move. They have not been aggressive..." Bob Woolf, Biggs' attorney said his client wants to remain with the Redskins and Harold Mullis, Smith's representative, said the same thing. The NFL has not determined whether Smith's contract with Jacksonville in the WFL was breached, allowing him to return to the Redskins.