View source for Russ Washington

{{Short description|American football player (1946–2021)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Russ Washington
| image       = Russ Washington.jpg
| image_size  =
| alt         = 
| caption     = Washington with the Chargers {{circa}} 1982
| number      = 85, 70
| position    = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|Offensive tackle]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1946|12|17}}
| birth_place = [[Kansas City, Missouri]], U.S.
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|2021|8|5|1946|12|17}}
| death_place = [[San Diego|San Diego, California]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 6
| weight_lb   = 289
| high_school = [[Southeast High School (Missouri)|Southeast]] <br> (Kansas City, Missouri)
| college     = [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] (1964–1967)
| draftyear   = 1968
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 4
| pastteams   =
* [[San Diego Chargers]] ([[1968 American Football League season|1968]]–{{NFL Year|1982}})
| highlights  =
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1978 All-Pro Team|1978]])
* 3× Second-team All-Pro ([[1974 All-Pro Team|1974]], [[1979 All-Pro Team|1979]], [[1982 All-Pro Team|1982]])
* 5× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1975 Pro Bowl|1974]], [[1976 Pro Bowl|1975]], [[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]])
* [[List of San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team|San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[List of San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team|San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team]]
* [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame]]
* Second-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1967 College Football All-America Team|1967]])
* First-team All-[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] ([[1967 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1967]])
* Second-team All-Big Eight ([[1965 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1965]])
| statlabel1  = Games played
| statvalue1  = 200
| statlabel2  = Games started
| statvalue2  = 196
| statlabel3  = [[Fumble]] recoveries
| statvalue3  = 7
| pfr         = W/WashRu00 
}}

'''Russell Eugene Washington''' (December 17, 1946 – August 5, 2021)<ref name="stats"/> was an American professional [[American football|football]] [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|offensive tackle]] who played for the [[San Diego Chargers]] of the [[American Football League]] (AFL) and [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1968 to 1982, playing his first two seasons as a [[defensive tackle]]. He was taken in the first round (4th overall) of the [[1968 NFL/AFL draft]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri Tigers]].

Washington was noted for his size (6 foot 6 inches, close to 300 pounds) and durability. A [[List of National Football League players who spent their entire career with one franchise|one-team player]], he played in 200 games for the Chargers, including a 148-game streak as their starting right tackle that lasted over a decade. A strong player on a weak team throughout much of his career, his only playoff appearances came in his last four seasons. During this time he was part of an experienced [[offensive line]] that played a key role in the record-breaking [[Air Coryell]] passing attack.

== College career ==

Described by the ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' as a "widely-sought recruit", Washington signed for the [[Missouri Tigers]] in 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title=Missouri lands Russ Washington, 6-6 K.C. star end |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-joins-missouri/139079229/ |newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=February 18, 1964 |page=4C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He became a starting [[defensive end]] the following year,<ref>{{cite news |title=In the world of sports |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-starting-as-so/139079362/ |newspaper=[[Maryville Daily Forum]] |date=March 30, 1965 |page=8 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and was voted the [[Big Eight Conference football|Big Eight]] lineman of the year despite missing two games with a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Valkenburg |first1=Jim |title=Facing standout quarterbacks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-knee-injury/139079397/ |newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press |agency=AP |date=December 22, 1965 |page=31 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Unlettered Mizzou hopes to write off QB worries |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-two-way-plans/139306830/ |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=March 23, 1966 |page=28 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington scored his only career [[touchdown]] during his [[Junior (education year)|junior year]], [[blocked punt|blocking a punt]] and then returning it to the end zone during a defeat by [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Missouri victim of powerful UCLA |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/moberly-monitor-index-and-moberly-evenin/139306966/ |newspaper=[[Moberly Monitor-Index]] |date=October 3, 1966 |page=8 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He suffered another knee injury that year, missing six games.<ref name="prime">{{cite news |title=Halfbacks prime need as M.U. opens spring grid drills Monday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-capital-news-changed-to-ot/139307521/ |newspaper=[[News Tribune (Jefferson City)|Jefferson City Daily Capital News]] |date=March 31, 1967 |page=10 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Entering his [[Senior (education)|senior year]], the ''[[Sedalia Democrat]]'' described Washington as one of the few "glittering stars" in the Tigers ranks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Missouri Tigers will being practice Friday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-glittering-hero/139307322/ |newspaper=[[Sedalia Democrat]] |date=September 1, 1967 |page=8 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Missouri switched him to [[offensive tackle]] that year,<ref name="prime"/> though he still played defensive end and defensive tackle sometimes when replacing injured teammates,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Valkenburg |first1=Jim |title=Shanklin dominates all-purpose running |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-filling-in-on-defen/139307600/ |newspaper=Sedalia Democrat |date=October 4, 1967 |page=4B |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> as well as [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] on some plays.<ref name="tsn1">{{cite news |title=Sporting News honors MU's Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-all-american-fo/139307511/ |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=December 7, 1967 |page=2E |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington won numerous honors at season's end, being voted [[Associated Press]] All-Big Eight,<ref name="big8">{{cite news |title=Liggins, Meylan on Big 8 squad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/jefferson-city-post-tribune-all-big-eigh/139307570/ |newspaper=Jefferson City Post-Tribune |agency=AP |date=November 30, 1967 |page=13 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> ''[[The Sporting News]]'' first-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]],<ref name="tsn1"/> and [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]] (NEA) second team All-American.<ref name="nea2">{{cite news |last1=Eddlemon |first1=Marty |title=Sports Seens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-nea-second/139307617/ |newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press |date=November 30, 1967 |page=51 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

== Professional career ==

=== Defensive tackle (1968–1969) ===
The [[San Diego Chargers]] selected Washington fourth overall in January's 1968 NFL/AFL common draft,<ref>{{cite news |title=Linemen go fast; Saints pick Hardy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-fourth-pick-in-the-dr/139380501/ |newspaper=[[Sacramento Bee]] |agency=AP |date=January 30, 1968 |page=C4 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and he signed for them in May.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers sign pick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-signs-for-chargers/139380438/ |newspaper=Sacramento Bee |agency=AP |date=May 19, 1968 |page=D12 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> San Diego opted to use him as a defensive lineman, hoping to improve a weak [[pass rush]] and boost a defense that had ranked last in the league the previous season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers' offense blooming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-playing-defense/139380553/ |newspaper=[[Pomona Progress-Bulletin]] |agency=UPI |date=September 3, 1968 |page=36 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> During [[1968 San Diego Chargers season|his rookie season]], Washington appeared on the scoresheet for the only time in his professional career, sharing a [[Safety (gridiron football score)|safety]] with teammate [[Steve DeLong]] during a victory over the [[Denver Broncos]].<ref>{{cite news |title=San Diego charges by Broncos |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-half-a-safety/139381056/ |newspaper=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |agency=AP |date=December 2, 1968 |page=3-C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He received 2 of the available 29 votes for the [[American Football League]] [[National Football League Rookie of the Year Award|defensive player of the year award]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valli |first1=Bob |title=Atkinson ties for defensive rookie prize |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-defensive-rookie-votes/139380904/ |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=December 26, 1968 |page=E53 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington returned for [[1969 San Diego Chargers season|a second year]] on defense,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olderman |first1=Murray |title=Pro charts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lompoc-record-ponderous/139450291/ |newspaper=Lompoc Records |date=September 5, 1969 |page=9 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> but had difficulty catching opposing quarterbacks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers need stiffer defense |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-bend-tribune-reason-for-move/139450549/ |newspaper=Great Bend Tribune |agency=AP |date=September 9, 1970 |page=7 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

=== Offensive tackle (1970–1982) ===
San Diego switched Washington to offensive tackle in [[1970 San Diego Chargers season|1970]] after a [[training camp]] session where he filled in for the injured [[Gene Ferguson]].<ref name="bbhof">{{cite news |last1=Paris |first1=Jay |title=Reliability was biggest asset of OL 'Big Rew' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-californian-breitbard/140273364/ |newspaper=[[North County Times|Temecula Californian]] |date=February 12, 2002 |pages=C-3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-californian-breitbard/140273299/ C-6] |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In one of his first games at the new position he was repeatedly beaten by [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] defensive end [[Deacon Jones]], who had three sacks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Jack |title=Chargers don't want to ponder 1975 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-pilot-struggles-with-deacon/139450648/ |newspaper=[[San Pedro News-Pilot]] |agency=Copley News Service |date=October 5, 1970 |page=11 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Entering [[1971 San Diego Chargers season|1971]], a [[United Press International]] (UPI) article listed Washington's ability to master playing at offensive tackle as a question mark that would determine the line's effectiveness;<ref>{{cite news |title=Trades give Chargers 'new look' for '71 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-tribune-question-mark/139591339/ |newspaper=[[Roseville Press-Tribune]] |agency=UPI |date=September 7, 1971 |page=9 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> they went on to lead the [[American Football Conference|AFC]] in [[pass protection]], allowing 19 sacks in 14 games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bluth |first1=Jack |title=49ers vs. Chargers—an improvement test |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-led-afc-in-1971/139591485/ |newspaper=[[San Mateo Times]] |date=September 16, 1972 |page=15 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> After the [[1972 San Diego Chargers season|1972]] season, sports journalist [[Murray Olderman]] rated the offense line as probably the Chargers' best unit and "comparable with any in the league."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olderman |first1=Murray |title=Pro charts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/merced-sun-star-line-in-1972/139591584/ |newspaper=[[Merced Sun-Star]] |date=August 9, 1973 |page=14 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington earned an individual honor in [[1973 San Diego Chargers season|1973]], as UPI placed him in their All-AFC second team.<ref>{{cite news |title='Juice' unanimous pick for AFC all-star team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bristol-herald-courier-upi-second-team-1/139591616/ |newspaper=[[Bristol Herald Courier]] |agency=UPI |date=December 21, 1973 |page=16 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He was also voted the Chargers' [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] by his teammates.<ref name="looks">{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Tom |title=Don't let Washington's looks fool you |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-1974-profile/139591993/ |newspaper=[[Columbia Daily Tribune]] |date=November 17, 1974 |page=13 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

[[File:Russ Washington circa 1981.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Washington {{circa}} 1981]]
Washington was voted to the [[Pro Bowl]] five times in the six-year period from 1974 to 1979.<ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Russ Washington stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WashRu00.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref> In the first two of these, [[1974 San Diego Chargers season|1974]] and [[1975 San Diego Chargers season|1975]], he was the only player on his team to gain the honor;<ref>{{cite news |title=Miami, Oakland top selections for Pro Bowl game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-first-pro-bowl/139591821/ |newspaper=[[Kingsport Times]] |agency=UPI |date=December 19, 1974 |page=2C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=William N. |title=3. San Diego Chargers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-shreveport-journal-lone-pro-bowler-c/139949432/ |newspaper=[[Shreveport Journal]] |date=August 31, 1976 |page=6-A |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> an ''[[Escondido Times-Advocate]]'' article written between these seasons dubbed him "the closest thing the Chargers have to being a superstar."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mack |first1=Charlie |title=Washington one Charger who can afford to relax |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-1975-profile/139949191/ |newspaper=[[Escondido Times-Advocate]] |date=August 10, 1975 |pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-1975-profile/139949184/ B-2] |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington missed the Pro Bowl in [[1976 San Diego Chargers season|1976]] but the Chargers,<ref name="looks"/> a losing team throughout most of his career, began to improve during that season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magee |first1=Jerry |title=San Diego off to a startling start |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-santa-fe-new-mexican-chargers-in-197/139949402/ |newspaper=[[Santa Fe New Mexican]] |date=September 30, 1976 |page=B3 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> San Diego head coach [[Tommy Prothro]] had been rebuilding the team extensively, with Washington and fellow lineman [[Doug Wilkerson]] entering the [[1977 San Diego Chargers season|1977]] season as the only two players on the roster who had been Chargers for more than three years.{{efn|A third, quarterback [[Dan Fouts]], returned from a holdout later in the year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dan Fouts ends long holdout |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93834894/fouts-ends-holdout-19-nov-1977/ |agency=AP |page=19 |newspaper=[[Tallahassee Democrat]] |date=November 19, 1977 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Prothro retains only 2 from '74 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-one-of-three/139950015/ |newspaper=[[Berkeley Gazette]] |agency=AP |date=September 14, 1977 |page=16 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington was again a Pro Bowler that year,<ref>{{cite news |title=2 Chargers get Pro Bowl bids |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-1977-pro-bowl/139950033/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |agency=AP |date=December 16, 1977 |page=A-17 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and also won the [[Forrest Gregg]] offensive lineman of the year award.<ref name="fga">{{cite news |title=Gregg award to Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-gregg-award-winn/140968264/ |work=[[Green Bay Press-Gazette]] |date=January 19, 1978 |page=C-3}}</ref> He set a new club record for consecutive appearances during [[1978 San Diego Chargers season|1978]], passing the old record of 153 shared by [[Walt Sweeney]] and [[John Hadl]].<ref name="sure">{{cite news |last1=Distel |first1=Dave |title=The one sure thing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-1978-profile/140017623/ |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 24, 1978 |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-1978-profile/140017611/ III-15] |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Three Chargers named to 'Bowl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-1978-pro-bowl/140017503/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |agency=AP |date=December 14, 1978 |page=D-1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In addition to another Pro Bowl appearance, Washington was named a first-team [[All-Pro]] in the player-voted NEA awards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olderman |first1=Murray |title=Seahawks' quarterback Zorn tops NEA All-Pro grid team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-nea-first-team/141020984/ |work=[[Salisbury Daily Times]] |date=January 10, 1979 |page=22}}</ref> With the team having improved under new head coach [[Don Coryell]], Washington entered the [[1979 San Diego Chargers season|1979]] season hopeful of making his first playoff appearance in his 12th year in San Diego.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Felser |first1=Larry |title=Land of optimism |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-yet-to-make-playoffs/140018344/ |newspaper=Buffalo News |date=September 16, 1979 |page=C-2 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Aided by another Pro Bowl season from Washington, the Chargers managed to clinch the [[AFC West]] division title in the final game of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Steelers dominate AFC unit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-1979-pro-bowl/140018064/ |newspaper=[[Palm Springs Desert Sun]] |agency=Associated Press |date=December 13, 1979 |page=B1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He said, "All those years, I never gave up. I'm an optimist. I always thought it would get better. I thought there would be a day like this."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spander |first1=Art |title=American dream revisited |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-divisional-ti/140018276/ |newspaper=San Francisco Examiner |date=December 18, 1979 |page=45 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The Chargers disappointed in the playoffs, losing at home to the [[Houston Oilers]] in their first game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Phillips: 'character exhibited' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119690816/chargers-17-14-oilers/ |newspaper=[[Lancaster Sunday News]] |agency=AP |date=December 30, 1979 |page=C-3 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

In [[1980 San Diego Chargers season|1980]], Washington missed games due to injury for the first time in his professional career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Outlook bright for fallen Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-knee-injury/140086899/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |agency=AP |date=October 14, 1980 |page=D-1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> During a week 6 defeat to the [[Oakland Raiders]], Washington had his left foot planted while blocking [[John Matuszak]], and was struck from that side; his [[Cleat (shoe)|cleats]] got caught in the turf, resulting in torn knee ligaments and a dislocated knee and kneecap. The injury put him out for the season, ending streaks of 178 consecutive appearances and 148 consecutive starts.<ref name="newspapers.com">{{cite news |last1=Norcross |first1=Don |title=Training camp No. 14 anything but a routine for Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-recovery/140089038/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |date=August 4, 1981 |page=D-3 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington was bothered by his knee for most of [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|1981]], but he was still a standout player,<ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Mattei|title=Look for many changes in Chargers' 1982 edition|date=January 14, 1982|newspaper=Times-Advocate|pages= [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-chargers-1981-wrap-up/136318887/ D1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/138222180/ D2]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-chargers-1981-wrap-up/136318887/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> and played in all but three games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maffei |first1=John |title=Quotebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-knee-injured-again/140198285/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |date=November 7, 1981 |page=D1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Buffalo at San Diego |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-sore-knee/140198805/ |newspaper=[[Asbury Park Press]] |date=December 6, 1981 |page=50 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The strike-shortened [[1982 San Diego Chargers season|1982 season]] proved to be Washington's last in the league. He was part of a veteran offensive line that played in every game and only allowed quarterback [[Dan Fouts]] to be sacked twelve times in nine regular season games despite the San Diego offense revolving around the pass.{{efn|His fellow linemen were [[Billy Shields]], [[Doug Wilkerson]], [[Don Macek]] and [[Ed White (American football)|Ed White]].<ref name="sacks">{{cite news |last1=Distel |first1=Dave |title=If Fouts cannot get it done for Chargers, then who can? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fouts-near-retirem/140236878/ |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=December 26, 1987 |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fouts-near-retirem/140236933/ III-11], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fouts-near-retirem/140236983/ III-11] |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>}}<ref name="No man is an island - yet">{{cite news |last1=Magee |first1=Jerry |title=No man is an island - yet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-1983-profile/140225958/ |newspaper=[[Miami News]] |date=January 12, 1983 |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-1983-profile/140225949/ 2C] |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Fouts had broken numerous passing records by this time, and gave his line a lot of the credit for this success.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Janofsky |first1=Michael |title=Veteran linemen give Fouts protection |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-offensive-line/94263609/ |newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=December 20, 1982 |page=5C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

{{quote box|align=right|width=30%|style=padding:10px|quote="I figure I've been really blessed to play as long as I have. Since I've been out of college, most of the good things that happened to me happened because I was a Charger. I have nothing to be bitter about at all."|source=—Washington, on being cut after fifteen years with the Chargers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norcross |first1=Don |title=Washington — bye |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-quote-on-waiving/140229712/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |date=September 1, 1983 |page=C1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>}}
Washington planned to continue his career in [[1983 San Diego Chargers season|1983]] and signed a new contract during the offseason,<ref>{{cite news |title=NFL roundup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-signs-for-1983/140226086/ |newspaper=[[Boston Globe]] |date=July 31, 1983 |page=67 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> but was surprisingly [[waivers (sports)|waived]] in favor of [[Andrew Gissinger]] shortly before the season began.<ref>{{cite news |title=Big names bite dust |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cut-from-roster/140228701/ |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |agency=UPI |date=August 30, 1983 |page=5C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> San Diego made the playoffs in each of Washington's last four seasons, though they never reached the [[Super Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers Franchise Encyclopedia |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/index.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=February 15, 2024}}</ref> The Chargers were less effective at pass protection after the departure of Washington and some of his fellow linemen and did not reach the playoffs again until 1992.<ref name="sacks"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers fans get early present |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83325509/chargers-36-14-raiders-21-dec-1992/ |pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83326034/chargers-36-14-raiders-21-dec-1992/ C-4] |newspaper=North County Times |date=December 21, 1992 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

=== Legacy ===

Standing at 6 foot 6 inches tall{{efn|Some sources list Washington at 6 foot 7 inches.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="biggest"/>}} and with a playing weight close to 300 pounds,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Bill |title=Countdown to season opener begins for Chiefs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-big-line/139450274/ |newspaper=[[Kansas City Star]] |date=September 14, 1969 |page=Sports 1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="big">{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Bill |title=Big Russ does big job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-mays-assessment/139450468/ |newspaper=Kansas City Times |date=November 28, 1970 |page=1C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Washington was among the largest players of his era.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olderman |first1=Murray |title=Pro charts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-use-beef/139591371/ |newspaper=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=August 12, 1971 |page=B14 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="biggest">{{cite news |last1=Olderman |first1=Murray |title=Just ask |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/thousand-oaks-star-sheer-bulk/139949106/ |newspaper=[[Ventura County Star|Thousand Oaks Star]] |date=September 14, 1975 |page=18 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> His teammates nicknames him "Big Rew" due to his initials (R.E.W.) and his size.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKinney |first1=Jack |title=Bell rings up $1.5M for Charger MVPs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-nickname/139591895/ |newspaper=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |date=April 18, 1974 |page=54 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Bum Phillips]], Washington's [[defensive coordinator]] during the first two years of his career, described him as "so big, he looks like a haystack with a tarpaulin thrown over it," while Hall of Fame defensive end [[Howie Long]] said that facing Washington was like "trying to throw a [[Condominium|condo]]."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norcross |first1=Don |title=Chargers' Gissinger must tackle tough expectations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-long-on-washington/140234710/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |date=December 9, 1983 |page=C1 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He also possessed good technique according to another opposing lineman, [[Jerry Mays (defensive lineman)|Jerry Mays]]: "Washington is not at all susceptible to being turned or twisted."<ref name="big"/> Teammate [[Ed White (American football)|Ed White]] described him as "an extremely fluid athlete, who stymies people, engulfs them on the line".<ref name="nyt"/>

Washington was described as quiet but friendly by both teammates and journalists,<ref name="No man is an island - yet"/> with one reporter writing that he was "hard to find and easy to talk to."<ref name="sure"/> His durability led him to start at right tackle in every game for over a decade.<ref name="stats"/> He set franchise records for appearances (200), starts (196), consecutive appearances (178) and consecutive starts (148).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ooley |first1=Geoffrey |last2=O'Neill |first2=Shaun |title=Winslow heads picks for Chargers Hall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-car-wash/140239350/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |date=December 6, 1994 |page=C4 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The Chargers inducted him into their [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] in 1995, and he was later voted to the franchise's 40th and 50th anniversary teams.<ref name="50th"/> Other organizations to honor Washington were the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association and the San Diego–based [[San Diego Hall of Champions|Breitbard Hall of Fame]].<ref name="bbhof"/><ref name="kchof"/>

== Personal life ==
Washington owned various businesses after retirement, including a car wash in [[National City, California]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheridan |first1=Tom |title=Winslow, Washington, Duncan to be inducted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-county-times-three-inducted/140239592/ |newspaper=[[North County Times]] |date=December 6, 1994 |page=C-3 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He was married to Inez, a native of [[Chuuk State#Municipalities|Paata]].<ref name="newspapers.com"/> Washington would spend time between seasons living on with her on Paata, an island in [[Chuuk State]] with a population of approximately 600 in 1982.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harmon |first1=Pat |title=Chargers' tackle calls South Sea island home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-1982-profile/140200065/ |newspaper=[[Cincinnati Post]] |date=January 8, 1982 |page=5C |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The couple had two children.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |last1=Janofsky |first1=Michael |title=Line is better with age |work=The New York Times |date=20 December 1982 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/20/sports/line-is-better-with-age.html |access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref>

Washington died on August 5, 2021, at the age of 74. No cause of death was given.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krasovic |first1=Tom |title=Russ Washington, member of Chargers Hall of Fame, dies at 74 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/chargers-rams/story/2021-08-06/russ-washington-chargers-all-pro-tackle-death |website=San Diego Union Tribune |date=7 August 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==

{| class="wikitable " style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Season 
! Team 
! {{abbr|Pos.|Position}}
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}}
! {{abbr|GS|Games started}}
|-
! [[1968 NFL season|1968]] !! [[1968 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Defensive tackle|DT]] || 14 || 12
|-
! [[1969 NFL season|1969]] !! [[1969 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Defensive tackle|DT]] || 14 || 13
|-
! [[1970 NFL season|1970]] !! [[1970 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 13
|-
! [[1971 NFL season|1971]] !! [[1971 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1972 NFL season|1972]] !! [[1972 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1973 NFL season|1973]] !! [[1973 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1974 NFL season|1974]] !! [[1974 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1975 NFL season|1975]] !! [[1975 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] !! [[1976 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] !! [[1977 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 14 || 14
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] !! [[1978 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 16 || 16
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] !! [[1979 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 16 || 16
|-
! [[1980 NFL season|1980]] !! [[1980 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 6 || 6
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] !! [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 13 || 13
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] !! [[1982 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]]
| [[Offensive tackle|T]] || 9 || 9
|-
! colspan="3"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WashRu00.htm Career] !! 200 !! 196
|}

== Accolades ==

=== Collegiate ===

*[[Associated Press|AP]] All-Big Eight ([[1967 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1967]])<ref name="big8"/>
*[[The Sporting News|TSN]] first-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1967 College Football All-America Team|1967]])<ref name="tsn1"/>
*[[Newspaper Enterprise Association|NEA]] second-team All-American ([[1967 College Football All-America Team|1967]])<ref name="nea2"/>

=== Professional ===

* 2× AP second-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1979 All-Pro Team|1979]], [[1982 All-Pro Team|1982]])<ref name="stats"/>
* NEA first-team All-Pro ([[1978 All-Pro Team|1978]])<ref name="stats"/>
* 2× NEA second-team All-Pro ([[1974 All-Pro Team|1974]], [[1979 All-Pro Team|1979]])<ref name="stats"/>
* 5× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1975 Pro Bowl|1974]], [[1976 Pro Bowl|1975]], [[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]], [[1979 Pro Bowl|1978]], [[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]])<ref name="stats"/>
* Forrest Gregg Offensive Lineman of the Year (1977)<ref name="fga"/>
* [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame]] (1995)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ooley |first1=Geoffrey |title=Quick hits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-duncan-inducted/110260660/ |newspaper=Escondido Times-Advocate |date=September 11, 1995 |page=C2 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
* [[San Diego Hall of Champions|Breitbard Hall of Fame]] (2002)<ref name="bbhof"/>
* Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2016)<ref name="kchof">{{cite web |last1=McDowell |first1=Sam |title=Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association to induct second Hall of Fame class |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/article75160732.html |website=kansascity.com |access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref>
* [[San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team]]<ref name="bbhof"/>
* [[San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team]]<ref name="50th">{{cite news |last=Canepa|first=Nick |title=Greatest Chargers list rings true |date=November 16, 2009 |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/16/this-chargers-list-rings-true-canepa/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114050717/http://signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/16/this-chargers-list-rings-true-canepa/ |url-status=dead|archivedate=January 14, 2010}}</ref>

== Footnotes ==
{{notelist|50em}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nfl.com/player/russwashington/2528310/profile Profile] on NFL.com

{{1968 NFL Draft}}
{{ChargersFirstPick}}
{{San Diego Chargers 1968 draft navbox}}
{{50Chargers}}
{{Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Russ}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:American football offensive tackles]]
[[Category:Missouri Tigers football players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Kansas City, Missouri]]
[[Category:San Diego Chargers players]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:University of Missouri alumni]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Bandits players]]
[[Category:American Football League players]]