Joe Dan Washington Jr (born September 24, 1953) is an American former professional football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He appeared for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons between 1976 and 1985.
Early life and education
Washington was born in Crockett, Texas, and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, where he attended Abraham Lincoln High School. His father coached football at the school.
College career
Washington played college football for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. He was a two‑time first‑team All‑American (1974, 1975) and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1974 and fifth in 1975. He helped Oklahoma win consecutive national championships in 1974 and 1975 and left the program with 4,071 career rushing yards, a school record at the time. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Selected fourth overall in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, Washington missed his rookie season due to a knee injury. He returned in 1977, playing 13 games with modest rushing and receiving totals. In August 1978, he was traded to the Baltimore Colts, where he posted a career‑high 958 rushing yards in his first season and led the league in receptions in 1979. Washington later joined the Washington Redskins (1981–1984), contributing to the team’s Super Bowl XVII victory in the 1982 season. He finished his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in 1985.
Career statistics
- Rushing attempts: 1,195
- Rushing yards: 4,839
- Rushing touchdowns: 12
Washington also led the NFL in receptions in 1979 and was selected to the Pro Bowl that season.
Honors and legacy
- Super Bowl champion (XVII)
- Pro Bowl selection (1979)
- NFL receptions leader (1979)
- Member of the “70 Greatest Redskins” list
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2005)
Post‑football life
Information about Washington’s activities after retiring from professional football is limited in publicly available sources.
