Sports fans love to talk in superlatives, especially who was the greatest in a given sport. Ruth in baseball. Gretzky in hockey. And then there are the debates. Jordan or Chamberlain? Bobby Jones or Tiger Woods? The differences in eras spice the discussion and make resolution impossible, and that's part of the fun.

Sammy Baugh, the great Redskins quarterback, just died at age 94 and when the conversation about greatest football players is joined, Baugh's name is right there. In my mind, there are three players in the debate about greatest football player -- and note, I'm making the distinction to say player apart from the single specialties that characterize the modern NFL. There's Jim Thorpe, Walter Payton and Baugh.

Thorpe played in the game's ancient era when running and kicking dominated and Thorpe excelled at both but passing had not yet become an established part of the game. Payton was a throwback in the Super Bowl era. He did everything well that a great running back should as a ball carrier, pass receiver and blocker. But he also could throw effectively -- he had eight career touchdown passes and even punted once. John Madden often remarked that in the single-platoon era, Payton would have been a great defensive back as well.

But Baugh did get to demonstrate his virtuosity in just about every phase of the game, as a quarterback, defensive back and punter. His numbers are extraordinary in every category. He led the NFL in passing six times, he still holds the single-season record for punting average, 51.4 yards, and he had 31 career interceptions. Perhaps, most importantly, like Ruth, he was a transformational player, changing his game forever -- in this case with the forward pass as an offensive weapon.

Debate if you will -- Thorpe, Payton, Baugh and whoever else may be included -- but Slingin' Sammy will always be in the discussion.