One great Washington athlete congratulated another on Sunday.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has only played one professional season, so he obviously has not put in nearly the time to his craft that Alex Ovechkin has. However, Sunday, Daniels, via the Washington Commanders, posted on X (formerly Twitter) congratulating Ovechkin for surpassing Wayne Gretzky to become the National Hockey League's (NHL) all-time leading scorer.
Sunday, Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, overtaking Gretzky's 894. The Commanders posted the video message from Washington's second-year quarterback, who led the Commanders in rushing and passing during his rookie 2024 NFL season.
"What's up, Alex? Jayden Daniels here. Congratulations to you on becoming the NHL's all-time leading scorer in goals. Man, it is just a testament to what you do, the work that you put in, the consistency that you have year in and year out. Man, keep putting on. You are a DC legend, man. Hopefully, one day I can be up there with you. You're an inspiration to all."
Legend 馃悙@ovi8 x @JayD__5pic.twitter.com/b2modonYuC
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 6, 2025
Perhaps the most amazing element of Alex Ovechkin's and Wayne Gretzky's careers is that Gretzky scored his 894 goals in 1,487 NHL games. Get this, Ovechkin has scored 895 career goals in exactly 1,487 NHL games! How prolific a scorer is Alex Ovechkin? Well, he has scored one more goal in exactly the same number of games, since joining the Washington Capitals in the 2005 NHL season.
Meanwhile, Daniels has only played in 17 regular-season games for the Commanders. But he, too, showed many times last season that he has the potential, the composure. He has displayed to teammates his work ethic in preparation for games, and perhaps he, too, one day will be looked upon as one of Washington's greater professional athletes.
In the meantime, it sounds like Daniels recognizes greatness in Ovechkin's longevity and feels inspired by it.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Jayden Daniels praises Alex Ovechkin for his hard work
