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Victor Arnold Washington (March 23, 1946 – December 31, 2008) was an American football running back and kick returner. After attending the University of Wyoming, he played nine professional seasons, three in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and six in the National Football League (NFL).

Vic Washington

Personal information
Born:	(1946-03-23)March 23, 1946 Plainfield, New Jersey
Died:	December 31, 2008(2008-12-31) (aged 62) Allentown, Pennsylvania
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:	Plainfield (NJ)
College:	Wyoming
Position:	Running back / Safety
NFL Draft:	1970 / Round: 4 / Pick: 87
Career history
Ottawa Rough Riders (1968–1969) B.C. Lions (1970) San Francisco 49ers (1971–1973) Houston Oilers (1974) Buffalo Bills (1975–1976)
CFL status:	International
Career highlights and awards
2× CFL All-Star (1968, 1969) 2× CFL East All-Star (1968, 1969) Pro Bowl (1971) Grey Cup Most Valuable Player (1969) 2× Grey Cup Champion (1968, 1969)

College career

Washington played for Wyoming from 1965 to 1967, as a running back, defensive back, and kick returner. As a sophomore, he intercepted three passes and returned 34 punts for 443 yards. In his Junior season, Washington set school records for punt return yards in a season (53 for 565 yards and 2 touchdowns) and in a single game (145 yards). He also had a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, 40 tackles, 22 pass deflections, and four interceptions. Wyoming finished the season undefeated at 13-0 before losing to Louisiana State University in the Sugar Bowl, 28–13.[1]

The Sugar Bowl loss turned out to be Washington's final college game. A few months later, Washington was charged with assaulting a 19-year-old student referee during an intermural basketball game. He pleaded guilty and received 5-day suspended jail sentence and a 25-dollar fine. Wyoming permanently expelled him. Despite this, Wyoming still voted him into their athletic hall of fame in 2005.[2]

CFL

Vic Washington first starred with the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders in 1968 and 1969, winners of back-to-back Grey Cup Championships in 1968 & 1969 against the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, respectively. In the first of the two title matches, Washington received the Most Valuable Player award for his 80-yard touchdown run from scrimmage, establishing a Grey Cup record that still stands. He played one more season in the CFL with the 1970 B.C.Lions before leaving for the NFL.

NFL

After signing with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, he rushed for 811 yards with a 4.2 average, led the league with 1,986 all-purpose yards, was named to his only Pro Bowl and helped to lead the team to the National Football Conference finals in 1971. In a 49ers loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs the next season, he returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown setting the NFL postseason record for longest kickoff return. He finished his professional football career with the Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills. Washington retired with 129 kickoff returns for 3,341 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 2,028 yards and 16 touchdowns, and catching 130 passes for 1,090 yards and 5 scores.

See also

• List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders

References

External links

• FitzGerald, Tom "Vic Washington, 49ers Pro Bowler from 1970s dies at 62" San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday, February 7, 2009

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