Ted Washington

Lore & Background

At 6'5" and more than 375 pounds in his prime, he was described as 'the prototypical [3–4] nose tackle of this era.' His gargantuan frame earned him nicknames like 'Mt. Washington' or 'Washington Monument'. Also notable for his longevity, Washington was a starting nose tackle until the age of 39. He was a four-sport standout in high school and the Florida state wrestling champion in the unlimited weight class. In college, he had 76 tackles, seven sacks, and three blocked field goals as a senior. He was identified as the player who harassed 49ers head trainer Lindsy McLean, who is gay.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed overhead as Washington lined up against the center. The crowd roared, sensing the collision before it happened. He exploded off the line, shedding blocks with raw power, his eyes locked on the quarterback's blind side. It was a testament to the old-school dominance that defined an era of football.

Reader's Guide

Washington's NFL career spanned from 1991 to 2007. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (25th overall) in 1991. He was traded to the Denver Broncos in 1994, then signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1995, where he recorded career-high 130 tackles in 1996 and earned three Pro Bowl selections. He was cut by the Bills in 2001 after refusing a pay cut, then signed with the Chicago Bears, earning a fourth Pro Bowl. He was traded to the New England Patriots in 2003 and won Super Bowl XXXVIII. He later played for the Oakland Raiders (2004–2005) and Cleveland Browns (2006–2007). He weighed up to 400 pounds at one point.

Did You Know?

• Washington was a Florida state wrestling champion in the unlimited weight class as a high school senior.
• He started a 119-game consecutive game streak in 1994 that lasted until 2002.
• He was a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2013.
• His father, Ted Washington Sr., was a linebacker for the Houston Oilers.