Eugene Washington (born January 25, 1944) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings (1967–1972) and the Denver Broncos (1973). He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.
![]() Gene Washington in 2018 | |||||||
No. 84 | |||||||
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Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | (1944-11-23) November 23, 1944 (age 77) La Porte, Texas | ||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 208 lb (94 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | George Washington Carver (TX)[1] | ||||||
College: | Michigan State | ||||||
NFL Draft: | 1967 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
A big 6'3", 208-lb receiver with great speed, he ran track as well as playing football for the Michigan State Spartans. He was the 1965 NCAA Indoor Champion for 60-yard hurdles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
He was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 NFL draft, along with college teammate, running back Clinton Jones and future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Alan Page, a defensive end from the University of Notre Dame. As a rookie, Washington averaged 29.5 yards per reception. In 1968, he caught 46 passes. In 1969, he had 821 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Washington made the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1970. He played in Super Bowl IV (one catch for 9 yards) after the 1969 NFL season. The Vikings were upset by the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7, on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. He is the subject of the documentary, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar, written and directed by his daughter Maya Washington.
1965 Michigan State Spartans football—FWAA & UPI national champions | |
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1966 Michigan State Spartans football—NFF national co-champions | |
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1967 NFL Draft first-round selections | |
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Minnesota Vikings first-round draft picks | |
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Minnesota Vikings 1967 NFL draft selections | |
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Minnesota Vikings 1969 NFL champions | |
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