By Drew Hall
Warpath Historian
Headed into the playoffs of the 1982 NFL strike-shortened season, Alvin Garrett had totaled just six career receptions in three seasons. Ironically, three of his six career receptions came against the Washington Redskins, the team he was now playing for.
Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round in 1979, Garrett was let go but picked up by the New York Giants for the 1980 season. Garrett saw most of his action as a punt returner. At a mere 5 foot 7 inches and 180 pounds (likely exaggerated), he was thought to be too small to play his listed position of Wide Receiver.
When he arrived with the Redskins late during the 1981 season, Alvin fit right in. The Redskins were known as a conglomerate of castoffs that seldom looked to the draft to build their team. He had gone almost two years without a reception until the last game of the 1982 season, a 28-0 Redskins thumping of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Because of an injury to rising star Art Monk, Garrett was inserted in the starting lineup for Washington’s first playoff game against Detroit. Through the course of the 1982 season’s playoffs Alvin had fifteen receptions in all, three times as many as he had had in his previous three seasons.
Inducted into the club known as the “Smurf’s” Garrett was a key contributor in Washington’s 27-17 win in Super Bowl XVII. Down 10-3 late in the first half he hauled in a fade pass from quarterback Joe Theismann tying the score at 10 and giving the Redskins offense some much needed confidence.
In the second half of Super Bowl XVII Garrett came up with a key 44 yard run on a reverse that set up a Mark Moseley field goal that inched the Redskins closer at 17-13 keeping the momentum in their favor. The Redskins dominated the rest of the game winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
The following season the Redskins opened up against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Garrett arguably had his best game as a pro gathering in ten receptions for 101 yards. Unfortunately it was a comment by then sportscaster Howard Cosell that made Alvin Garrett a household name.
Commenting on Garrett’s display of speed and lack of size, Cosell referred to him on air as a “little monkey”. The comment sparked media attention and controversy over its apparent racial undertones. Alvin’s fame was short lived though, as he finished the 1983 season with just 25 receptions and one touchdown. His final game came
