Gene Washington (American football, born 1944)

Eugene Washington (born November 23, 1944) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Minnesota Vikings (1967–1972) and the Denver Broncos (1973).

For the former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions wide receiver, see Gene Washington (American football, born 1947).

Gene Washington
refer to caption
Washington in 2018
No. 84
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1944-11-23) November 23, 1944
La Porte, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:George Washington Carver
(Baytown, Texas)
College:Michigan State (1964–1966)
NFL Draft:1967 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:182
Receiving yards:3,237
Receiving touchdowns:26
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

College career

A big 6'3", 208-lb receiver with great speed, he ran track as well as playing football for the Michigan State Spartans. He was the 1965 NCAA Indoor Champion for 60-yard hurdles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

  • In 1964, he had 35 catches for 542 yards and five touchdowns (TDs).[1]
  • In 1965, he had 44 catches for 719 yards and four TDs.
  • In 1966, he had 27 catches for 677 yards and seven TDs.

Professional career

He was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 NFL draft, along with college teammate, running back Clinton Jones and future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Alan Page, a defensive end from the University of Notre Dame. As a rookie, Washington averaged 29.5 yards per reception. In 1968, he caught 46 passes. In 1969, he had 821 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Washington made the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1970. He played in Super Bowl IV (one catch for 9 yards) after the 1969 NFL season. The Vikings were upset by the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7, on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. He is the subject of the documentary, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar, written and directed by his daughter Maya Washington.

References
  1. "Gene Washington Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com". Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.