Sonny Jurgensen cause of death: What’s known after the Hall of Famer’s death at 91

Sonny Jurgensen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who starred for Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles and later became a long-running broadcaster, died Friday, February 6, 2026. He was 91. As news of his death spread, searches for “Sonny Jurgensen cause of death” spiked, along with speculation online about what happened.

Public statements confirming his death have not disclosed a specific medical cause.

What has been publicly confirmed

The confirmation of Jurgensen’s death came Friday morning (ET) through a statement from his family released through Washington’s NFL organization. The statement announced his death and age, while tributes from former teammates, team leadership, and fans followed quickly.

No official release has provided details such as where he died, whether he was hospitalized, or whether a particular illness preceded his death. Without that information, any definitive claim about the cause should be treated as unconfirmed.

Cause of death: not publicly disclosed

As of Friday, February 6, 2026 (ET), the cause of death has not been made public in verified statements. Multiple widely shared write-ups note that a cause was not disclosed.

This matters because social media posts often fill gaps with guesses—especially for public figures. In Jurgensen’s case, posts suggesting a specific disease or event have circulated without supporting documentation. Until a family representative releases medical details—or a verified obituary includes them—there is no confirmed public answer to “what did Sonny Jurgensen die from.”

Why rumors spread fast in high-profile deaths

When a well-known athlete dies at an advanced age, online narratives tend to fall into predictable patterns: vague “health complications” claims, recycled misinformation from unrelated posts, or confusion with someone else of a similar name.

Two factors drive that speed:

• The time gap between announcement and details: Families often prioritize privacy and logistics before sharing medical specifics, if they choose to share them at all.

• Search amplification: Once enough people search “cause of death,” posts with confident wording can rise quickly—even if they are inaccurate.

If you see a claim that does not point back to a direct statement from the family or a verified official obituary, treat it as unconfirmed.

Jurgensen’s legacy and why the news resonates

Jurgensen’s fame goes beyond statistics. He was known as one of the league’s purest passers, with a powerful arm and an ability to put up big numbers in eras when passing was far less common than it is today. He played 18 seasons in the NFL, first with the Eagles and then most memorably with Washington, where he became a defining face of the franchise for generations of fans.

After retirement, he remained in the public eye for decades through broadcasting, building a second career that kept him connected to the team and its fan base. That visibility—and the affection many fans had for his personality—help explain why the news prompted such an immediate and emotional response.

What to watch for next

If a cause of death becomes public, it will typically come through one of these channels:

• A follow-up statement from the family

• A verified obituary that includes medical detail

• Information shared at or around memorial arrangements

It’s also possible no cause will be released publicly. Many families choose to keep those details private, even for high-profile figures.

Key takeaways

• Sonny Jurgensen died Friday, February 6, 2026, at age 91.

• No verified public statement has disclosed a specific cause of death.

• Treat any circulating medical claims as unconfirmed unless they come directly from the family or a verified obituary.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, The Washington Post, Reuters, Washington Commanders (team statement)