Ted Washington

Theodore Washington Jr., born April 13, 1968, played nose tackle in the NFL for 17 seasons, suiting up for the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, and Cleveland Browns before retiring after 2007. A first-round pick by the 49ers in 1991 out of Louisville, he earned four Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Patriots. At 6'5" and over 375 pounds in his prime, his massive frame earned him the nicknames "Mt. Washington" and "Washington Monument," and he was called "the prototypical 3–4 nose tackle of this era." He started at one of football's most grueling positions until age 39.

Growing up in Tampa, Washington excelled in four sports at Tampa Bay Technical High School, winning the Florida state wrestling championship in the unlimited weight class as a senior. At Louisville, he majored in physical education and, as a senior, posted 76 tackles, seven sacks, and three blocked field goals, earning second-team All-South Independent honors.

Drafted 25th overall by San Francisco, Washington debuted against the New York Giants on September 2, finishing his rookie year with 21 tackles and one sack. He improved to 35 tackles and two sacks in 1992, then 41 tackles and three sacks in 1993, a season that ended with a trip to the NFC Championship Game. During his time with the 49ers, Washington was identified as the player who harassed gay head trainer Lindsy McLean, grabbing him from behind and simulating rape while saying, "Get over here, bitch. I know what you want." McLean described the humiliation in an ESPN Magazine article, and the Boston Globe, along with Washington's agent, confirmed his involvement.

Traded to Denver on April 20, 1994, Washington started 15 games, making 56 tackles and 2.5 sacks. A November 27 game against Cincinnati began a 119-game consecutive start streak that lasted until 2002. He signed with Buffalo as a free agent on February 24, 1995, lining up next to Bruce Smith. His first season there brought 86 tackles, followed by a career-high 130 tackles in 1996. In 1997, he recorded 124 tackles and four sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. He repeated as a Pro Bowler in 1998 with 101 tackles and a career-best 4.5 sacks, then posted 87 tackles in 1999 and 86 tackles with 2.5 sacks in 2000 for his third Pro Bowl. After refusing a pay cut for the second straight year, the Bills cut him on February 22, 2001, to meet the salary cap.

Chicago signed Washington on April 16, 2001. He started 15 games, notching 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and made his fourth Pro Bowl. The next season, a fractured leg and torn ligament in his left foot limited him to two starts before injured reserve. Traded to New England on August 20, 2003, he joined a defense ranked fourth overall, finished with 45 tackles, and started in the Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over Carolina.

Washington joined Oakland as a free agent on March 3, 2004, starting all 16 games with 41 tackles and three sacks, then repeated with 44 tackles in 2005. He signed with Cleveland on March 13, 2006. On the first play of training camp, he was initially blamed for injuring Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, a claim later denounced; Washington told reporters, "It wasn't me who did it, I'll go see how he's doing later." He started all 16 games that season, making 61 tackles, and finished his career in 2007 with nine tackles. He weighed 375 pounds in his final season, though he once reached 400. In 2012, he was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2013. Washington is the son of former Houston Oilers linebacker Ted Washington Sr.