Joe Washington

Joe Dan Washington, Jr (born September 24, 1953 in Crockett, Texas) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, the Baltimore Colts, the Washington Redskins, and the Atlanta Falcons.

Early career

Washington graduated from Lincoln High School in Port Arthur, Texas where his father coached football. Washington had a stellar college football career in the University of Oklahoma where Washington was a two time First-team All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1974 and fifth in 1975. He finished his career at Oklahoma with 4,071 career rushing yards. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Washington was drafted in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Chargers. He went to the Pro Bowl once in his career, with the Colts in 1979. In that season he led the NFL with 82 receptions for 750 yards, and had 242 carries for 884 yards and seven touchdowns.

Washington's most memorable performance was in the September 18 Monday Night Football game between the Colts and the Patriots, which featured a record 41 points scored between the two teams in the fourth quarter, 27 by the Colts. Washington scored or helped score his teams' final three touchdowns. His catch of a touchdown pass tied the game at 20-20, and then he threw an option pass to Roger Carr to put the Colts ahead 27-20. After the Patriots tied it late, Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for the winning touchdown.

With the Redskins, Washington played in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XVIII.

Washington was reportedly the only player who did not wear the 1982 Redskins logo on his helmet. He used the logo the Redskins had used from 1972-1981 and 1983 to present.^{[citation needed]}

Washington retired with 4,839 rushing yards and 3,413 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns in his career.

External links

• Washington's NFL profile