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Kelley Washington

Kelley Washington
refer to caption
Washington with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009
No. 87, 15
Position:Wide receiver / Special teamer
Personal information
Born: (1979-08-21) August 21, 1979 (age 45)
Stephens City, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College:Tennessee
NFL draft:2003 / round: 3 / pick: 65
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:120
Receiving yards:1,500
Receiving touchdowns:12
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Kelley Washington (born August 21, 1979) is an American former professional football wide receiver and special teamer. He was selected 65th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Washington was also a member of the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Diego Chargers.

Early life

Washington was born in Stephens City, Virginia, where he attended Sherando High School, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball.[1][2] In football, he was a two-way starter as a quarterback and defensive back and as a senior he was an All-State selection. He twice led his team to the Virginia Class AA-Division 4 State Championship game, though the Warriors lost both times.

Baseball career

He was taken in the tenth round of the June 1997 professional baseball draft by the Florida Marlins and signed as a shortstop. Washington spent four years in the minor leagues, often rooming with future All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett.[3] He never played higher than Class A.[4]

College career

Washington spent two seasons at the University of Tennessee.[5] As a 22-year-old freshman in 2001, he caught 70 passes for 1,080 yards and seven touchdowns and made the freshman All-American team.[6][7] In 2001, he etched his name in the Tennessee school history with a single-game record 256 receiving yards on 11 catches in the regular season matchup with LSU.[8][9]

Considered a lock to be a first-round pick if he left early, Washington stayed for his sophomore year but was limited to four games due to injuries. After missing the first two games of that 2002 season with a knee sprain, and suffered a concussion October 12 at Georgia that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.[10] He underwent surgery on November 19 to fuse two vertebrae in his neck.[11]

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals

Washington was selected 65th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft.[12] He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2003 season against the Broncos.[13] He scord his first NFL touchdown in Week 8 against the Seahawks on an eight-yard reception from Jon Kitna. He never got much playing time while in Cincinnati, recording just 893 yards and nine touchdowns in four seasons.[14] In Cincinnati, he was famous for his signature "Squirrel" dance after scoring touchdowns.[15] He was released following the 2006 season.[16]

New England Patriots

Washington with the Patriots in 2007

On March 11, 2007, Washington agreed to a five-year deal with the New England Patriots, reuniting him with his college teammate and fellow wide receiver Donté Stallworth.[17] The deal, with a $300,000 signing bonus and a $4-million bonus due in the 2008, could be worth as much as $22 million over five years.[18] While Washington had not been used as a wide receiver by the Patriots, he had seen time on special teams, blocking a punt against the New York Jets.[19] On February 29, 2008, Washington was re-signed by the Patriots under a new contract.[20]

Washington was released by the Patriots on February 17, 2009.[21]

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens invited Washington to an offseason mini-camp to try out for the team, competing against fellow veteran, free-agent receivers Jerry Porter and Tab Perry. Washington outperformed Porter and Perry, and on May 14, 2009, Washington agreed to terms on a contract with the Ravens.[22] During the 2009 season, set career highs across the board, with 31 receptions, 431 yards, and two touchdowns.[23]

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on July 31, 2010.[24] Washington was released by the Eagles on September 5, 2010, after failing to make the 53-man roster.[25]

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers signed Washington to a short-term contract on November 4, 2010.[26] He had 13 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in the 2010 season. His lone touchdown came in Week 16 against the Bengals.[27]

References

  1. ^ Keeler Jr., Tommy (February 2, 2016). "Sherando, Washington honored by NFL with golden football". The Northern Virginia Daily. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Niedzwiecki, Robert (October 24, 2017). "Drive, determination still fuel Washington's success". The Winchester Star. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Farley, Glen (August 2, 2007). "Patriots receiver Kelley Washington once was a minor league teammate of Josh". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "Kelley Washington Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Calhoun, Caleb (July 28, 2023). "Tennessee Football: Top 10 single seasons in history by a Vols WR". Off The Hook Sports. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  6. ^ Farley, Glen (August 2, 2007). "Patriots receiver Kelley Washington once was a minor league teammate of Josh". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "Washington Named FWAA Freshman All-America". University of Tennessee Athletics. January 7, 2002. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "LSU at Tennessee Box Score, September 29, 2001". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Ramey, Grant (September 3, 2020). "Throwback Thursday: Kelley Washington's record game against LSU". 247Sports. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Davis, Elizabeth A. (October 27, 2002). "Alabama runs over Tennessee". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "Washington has surgery". Gainesville Sun. November 19, 2002. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  12. ^ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  13. ^ "Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals - October 26th, 2003". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Kelley Washington Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  15. ^ MacNamara, Dylan (June 15, 2010). "The 10 Most Innovative Touchdown Celebrations in NFL History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (December 16, 2006). "IR move likely ends Washington's tenure with Bengals". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Washington, Stallworth Looking Forward to the Future". Patriots.com. March 14, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "Pats sign receiver Washington". Toronto Star. Associated Press. March 13, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  19. ^ "Kelley Washington 2007 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "2008 NFL February Transactions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  21. ^ Kirkendall, Josh (February 17, 2009). "New England Patriots release Kelley Washington". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  22. ^ "Ravens Sign Kelley Washington". NBC Sports. May 18, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Kelley Washington 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  24. ^ "Eagles sign WR Washington to one-year deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 31, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  25. ^ Fierro, Nick (September 5, 2010). "Eagles down to 53 after flurry of roster moves". mcall.com. Retrieved September 5, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ "Chargers sign Kelley Washington". NBC Sports. November 4, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  27. ^ "Kelley Washington 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.