 In 1953, he played sparingly in his first season with the Washington Redskins, before spending two years out of football, while serving his military service at Fort Ord.In 1956, although he was initially being considered for the right halfback position, he was asked to become the team's kicker after Vic Janowicz suffered a serious brain injury in an automobile accident that ended his athletic career.That same year he also became the punter after Eddie LeBaron was sidelined with an injury.