As a rule of thumb, men who weigh almost 400 pounds are not supposed to move well, or run fast, or be athletic in any shape or form.
Of course, this rule does not apply to all men, it sure didn’t to Ted Washington.
“Mt. Washington” was 6’4”, 375 (or so) pounds, and could move like an athlete half his size.
Vintage Bills Profile: Ted Washington
Ted came to Buffalo in 1995 as a free agent. He played 6 season in Buffalo, making the Pro Bowl 3 times! He had 95 starts in that span & 19.5 sacks while OWNING the middle of the field. #VintageBills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/cmF6kRRC7S
— VintageBills (@VintageBills) November 5, 2022
The fact that he played nose tackle was even more impressive.
Washington withstood the punishment of his position for 17 years and devoured running backs and quarterbacks like cheeseburgers.
During his career, Washington was a member of some dominant defensive lines and he even won a Super Bowl with New England, his 13th year in the league.
By the time he retired following the 2007 season, Washington was known as the standard for which aspiring nose tackles were judged.
This is the story of Ted Washington.
Prep Star in Tampa
Theodore Washington Jr. was born on April 13, 1968, in Tampa, Florida.
Happy Birthday Ted Washington, Buffalo Bills Nose Tackle 1995-2000. Born #OTD in 1968. pic.twitter.com/QmtMmpFAqg
— ThisDateInBuffaloSportsHistory (@BuffSportsHstry) April 13, 2023
At the heart of every big athlete is a kid who started out with aspirations of becoming great.
That was certainly the case with Washington.
His father, Ted Washington Sr., just happened to be a former NFL linebacker and Junior wanted to be like his dad.
By the time he began high school, Ted knew he wanted to compete against the best no matter the sport.
During his four years at Tampa Bay Technical School in Tampa, Washington didn’t just excel at football.
He was also an accomplished wrestler and was a standout in track and baseball.
As a senior, Washington wrestled in the unlimited weight class division and took home a state title for the Titans.
His multi-sport athleticism brought college recruiters for miles, and eventually, Washington chose to attend the University of Louisville.
A Force of Nature as a Cardinal
At the time, Louisville was led by Howard Schnellenberger, the former NFL and Miami Hurricanes head coach.
Schnellenberger helped the ‘Canes win the first national title in school history in 1983.
Despite his impressive resume, even a leader with Schnellenberger’s ability couldn’t always help the Cardinals on the field.
In Washington’s first season with the program, 1987, Louisville went 3-7-1.
The team improved in 1988 by going 8-3.
Each year he played, Washington himself improved as a member of the defensive line.
While the Cardinals won eight games in ‘88, Washington posted a career-best 88 tackles.
His stats brought Washington attention and he was selected as an All-American Honorable Mention.
After a six-win season in 1989, Louisville went 10-1-1 in 1990 and beat Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl with senior quarterback Browning Nagle leading the offense.
Washington was also a senior that year and collected 76 tackles and seven sacks.
Despite his rather large size, Washington also blocked three field goal attempts.
He was named an All-South Independent member for his troubles.
During his four-year college career, Washington had 298 tackles and 14 sacks.
He was later added to the Cardinals’ Ring of Honor and the Lousiville Athletics Hall of Fame.
First Round Pick
By the time the 1991 NFL Draft arrived, Washington was very well known around NFL front offices.
Not only did he get recognition for his outstanding play at Louisville, but no one could miss the large 375-pounder walking down the hallway.
He met with several teams and coaches raved that a man that large could move as well as he did.
Unlike some NFL offensive linemen, Washington was not a lumbering fat guy who could hardly run more than a few yards.
Scouts noted that he had impeccable quickness, brute strength, and an incredible motor that never stopped.
The San Francisco 49ers, fresh off a 1990 season that ended in the NFC Championship game against the Giants, decided Washington was too good to pass up.
#49ers NT Ted Washington (1991–93) was drafted 25th overall by SF. He appeared in all 16 games in 1991 and had a sack.
His tenure with the team was short but it is likely to be remembered for his hurtful behavior towards a trainer: https://t.co/pHFNjXQRHZ#Random49ers pic.twitter.com/G4Nwk4mskB
— #Random49ers (@Random49ers) May 17, 2023
Rather surprisingly, the Niners selected Washington with the 25th overall pick in the draft.
He was then placed on a defensive line that included Pierce Holt, Michael Carter, and Jim Burt.
Learning on the Job
During his rookie year, Washington didn’t start, but he saw enough action to collect 21 tackles and one sack.
That year coincided with the Niners missing its first playoff appearance (despite 10 wins) since 1982.
In 1992, Washington started six games and had 35 tackles and two sacks while San Francisco advanced to the NFC Championship game before losing to Dallas.
Finally, in 1993, his third year as a pro, Washington made 12 starts while playing alongside rookie Dana Stubblefield.
He increased his totals to 41 tackles and three sacks.
Ted Washington #49ers #NFL pic.twitter.com/KoZmjSeGQf
— kelly Hammond🏳️🌈⚧️🏳️⚧️🌈 (@kellyHammo71824) June 8, 2024
Once again, the Cowboys ended the Niners’ march to the Super Bowl in the NFC title game, 38-21.
A few months later, Washington was traded to the Denver Broncos.
Although Washington was well-liked by his teammates, it was revealed in 2004 by ESPN The Magazine that he was one of the players who harassed San Francisco team trainer, Lindsy McClean.
The article was about McClean’s time with the organization as an openly gay man.
Numerous times during his years with the Niners, McClean was bullied by players.
Even though he never said his name directly, Washington was one of the key instigators.
As mentioned in the article, he would grab McClean from behind and simulate rape while saying, “Get over here, bitch. I know what you want.”
Washington’s agent confirmed in a Boston Globe story that the unnamed player was indeed his client.
Buffalo’s Three-Headed Hydra
Washington spent only one season in Denver, but he started 15 games and even bagged an interception, a rarity for an interior defensive lineman.
When the season concluded, he became a free agent and signed with the Buffalo Bills.
By the time he arrived in New York in 1995, the Bills were two years removed from their last Super Bowl appearance.
The franchise had been in four straight Super Bowls beginning in 1990 but lost every time.
Washington was signed to help the team return to the title game.
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest run stoppers of all time! All-Pro Nose Tackle, Ted “Mount” Washington! #BillsLegend pic.twitter.com/w2jNXmIb9B
— Bills Legends Community (@BillsLegends) April 13, 2019
It was in Buffalo that Washington was first plugged in at nose tackle as part of the team’s 3-4 defense.
Alongside him were Phil Hansen and future Hall of Famer, Bruce Smith.
Together, the trio was feared due to the number of ball carriers who disappeared when trying to breach the Bills’ defensive line.
Stopping a running play for little or no yardage was exactly what Washington thrived on.
“The biggest plays I like, not just in Buffalo but anywhere, were when it depended on the defense to stop that fourth-and-one or goal line stands and you know, which created a turnover. Those were what I lived for…I liked to make tackles for losses, but when it’s needed that stop [on] fourth-and-inches or whatever…that was really exciting for me. Because I knew they were going to try and run it and they…[had] no place to go,” said Washington.
After 53 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 1995, Washington collected a career-high 92 total tackles along with 3.5 sacks in 1996.
That same year, Smith was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and he later told Washington what playing alongside the nose tackle meant to his career.
“We were on a flight together and he mentioned…and to me, it takes a lot for Bruce Smith to give you a compliment, he’s like, ‘You know, you made my life easier playing that 3-4 defense.’ And that stuck. I thought I’d never hear something [like that] from him,” said Washington.
Pro Bowler at Last
In 1997, Washington was finally voted to his first Pro Bowl, and received an All-Pro nod, after getting 80 tackles, four sacks, and forcing a fumble.
Another Pro Bowl came in 1998 when he snagged his second career interception to go along with 50 tackles, 4.5 sacks (his career-high) and a safety.
The #CountdownToKickoff rolls on, and we are Ted Washington (92) days away from Bills/Jets
1998: Our Big Man weekend continues with the Big Ted stuffing a rush attempt for a safety 🙏#GoBills https://t.co/JwZnzfAk1E pic.twitter.com/vA4R0GfXqq
— BillsVHS📼 (@BillsVhs) June 11, 2023
Two years later, Smith was gone, playing for the Redskins while Washington held down the fort with 58 tackles and 2.5 sacks, leading to his third Pro Bowl.
During the offseason, the Bills took a hard look at their books and came to the conclusion that they needed to shed salaries.
The team approached Washington about taking a pay cut and he declined, especially since he had just made his third Pro Bowl in four years.
Unable to reach an agreement, Buffalo let Washington become a free agent.
Washington Becomes a Bear
It didn’t take long for Washington to sign with a new team.
The Chicago Bears had just ended its sixth consecutive season of playoff-less football and the organization wanted a change in 2001.
Chicago signed Washington as well as former Broncos defensive tackle Keith Traylor.
Behind them stood linebacker Brian Urlacher and defensive backs Mike Brown, Tony Parrish, and R.W. McQuarters.
To say that the Chicago defense jelled quickly would be an understatement.
Ted Washington, Bears, 2001 pic.twitter.com/gCDBU0fMDR
— Anthony Layna (@Kai_Myst) March 22, 2022
As the offense battled to score more points than their opponents, the defense consistently stepped up big and Washington and Traylor were the tone-setters for the unit.
“They had the team’s ear,” Mike Brown said about the pair. “We listened to Ted Washington. Everyone knew he was a Hall of Famer. He was the man. They are just huge men, and no one could get to the second level of our defense. No one could get to the second level.”
Chicago, which had been 5-11 the year before, surprised the league by going 13-3 and boasting the number one defense in the NFL.
Washington was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl on the strength of his 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks while Traylor added his own highlight reel plays including an interception that he returned for 67 yards.
“You hear stories about how good they are and all that, but they are just massive men,” Brown continued. “Not only that, they are underrated with their athletic ability. … We had the number one defense in the NFL that year, (and) those two were a big reason why.”
Despite being the NFC’s number two seed in the ‘01 playoffs, the Bears stumbled against Philadelphia in the divisional round, putting an abrupt end to their amazing season.
Then, in 2002, several injuries to key personnel led to Chicago regressing to 4-12.
Washington was among the injured and missed all but the first two games of the season due to torn ligaments in his left foot and a fractured leg.
Washington Wins a Super Bowl in New England
Just before the 2003 season began, the Bears traded Washington to New England.
The Pats had won a Super Bowl in 2001 then surprisingly missed the playoffs in 2002.
Head coach Bill Belichick wanted to prevent that from happening again in 2003 and Washington’s presence would be a big help.
“We have a lot of respect for Ted’s play over the years,” said Belichick, “and we’re excited about getting to work with him.”
One thing was certain for Washington playing in New England.
He wouldn’t have to carry the weight of the defensive unit because the organization had been built on both sides of the ball well.
#OTD in 2003, the #Patriots beefed up their line, trading for NT Ted Washington. Washington won #SBXXXVIII in his only season in NE pic.twitter.com/AQV0Wh2BOk
— Pats Historian (@PatsHistorian) August 19, 2017
Washington played on a defensive line that included Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Anthony Pleasant.
Behind them were Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Covin, Ted Johnson and Mike Vrabel.
The last line of defense included Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Asante Samuel and Otis Smith.
In Week 1, Buffalo humiliated the Pats, 31-0.
New England lost again three weeks later to the Redskins.
After that, the Pats buckled down and put the hammer to their remaining opponents, never losing again in the regular season and finishing 14-2, the most wins in a season in franchise history to that point.
Washington contributed 10 starts, 40 tackles, and two sacks as New England’s defense finished first in the league in points against.
During the playoffs, the Patriots took care of Tennessee and Indianapolis before beating Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Washington Plays with Oakland and Cleveland
Weeks after the Super Bowl, Washington was a free agent again.
By this time, “Mt. Washington” (who was also known as the “Washington Monument”) was well known by every NFL coach.
His services were requested by several teams and, ultimately, he signed with Oakland.
The Raiders’ offense wasn’t great, but Washington played on a defensive unit with Warren Sapp, Charles Woodson, and Nnamdi Asomugha, who was on the rise as one of the best corners in the NFL.
Ted Washington made Warren Sapp look like a TE pic.twitter.com/A4xgBUFcsB
— AB (@putnameherelol) October 23, 2020
Oakland won only nine games combined in Washington’s two years with the team.
However, he started every game in both years and had 89 combined tackles and three sacks.
Then, even though he had played 15 years, the Cleveland Browns signed Washington before the 2006 season.
Ted Washington @kposendek pic.twitter.com/cqFkhfM41m
— Frank Whitaker (@frankieWHIT74) November 11, 2022
Head coach Romeo Crennel needed the nose tackle not only for his 3-4 defense but to be a strong veteran presence in the locker room.
“I’m telling you that Ted is a leader,” Crennel said. “He coaches guys on the field and in the locker room. They listen to him. If a guy that big talks, you better listen.”
The Browns won four games in ‘06 but turned things around in 2007, winning 10 times, but just missing the playoffs.
Washington only played in five games, but his teammates understood his contribution.
“It’s not about his age,” protested linebacker Willie McGinest, the second-oldest member of the Browns’ defense. “Ted knows all the reads. He understands how to play the game.”
Washington Retires
When the 2007 season ended, so did Washington’s career.
He had been around since 1991 and even his enormous body could no longer withstand the daily beatings.
Happy Birthday, Ted Washington:
4X Pro Bowl
1X AP 1st Team All-Pro
1X AP 2nd Team All-Pro
1X Super Bowl Champ
236 Games Played
763 Tackles
34.5 Sacks
Face on NT RushmoreDo you think Ted belongs in the HOF? pic.twitter.com/8FKABUEcsg
— Jim Miloch (@podoffame) April 14, 2023
During his 17-year career, Washington posted 763 combined tackles, 34.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, one safety, 11 passes defended and two interceptions.
He was a Super Bowl champion, a four-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time All-Pro.
Life in Retirement
Since leaving the NFL, Washington has spent his days watching over his children, coaching, and hanging out at the casino when he can.
“I do a little coaching with the high school kids, teaching them the fundamentals,” said Washington in 2019. “I enjoy that because a lot of that has left the game and you know, just giving them a lot of pointers on using hands and proper technique – stuff like that. My therapy is to sit at a casino and relax. I don’t gamble, it’s just my therapy. And hunting was one and that’s about it – [also] fishing.”
Every August, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, hosts its induction ceremonies for the newest batch of former players and coaches.
He has been nominated four times, including in 2024, but so far, Washington has yet to be chosen.
References
https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/12/29/dr-zs-all-pro-team
https://gocards.com/sports/2022/9/15/louisville-football-history-and-records
https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2077320
https://gocards.com/honors/athletics-hall-of-fame/ted-washington/27
https://www.buffalobills.com/news/17-questions-with-bills-legend-ted-washington
https://www.si.com/nfl/2012/02/29/best-of-the-firsts-no-25-ted-washington
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WashTe01.htm
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