Ted Washington
Theodore Washington Jr. (born April 13, 1968) is a former American football defensive tackle who played 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1990 to 2007, primarily as a nose tackle known for his massive size—often listed at 6 feet 5 inches and over 350 pounds—and run-stopping ability across seven teams, including the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Oakland Raiders.[1] Drafted 25th overall in the first round by the Miami Dolphins out of the University of Louisville, where he earned All-American honors, Washington anchored defensive lines with 538 solo tackles, 34.5 sacks, and two interceptions over 254 games, earning a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2001, two Pro Bowl nods (1998 and 2000), and a Super Bowl XXXVIII championship with the Patriots, where his veteran presence contributed to a dominant front seven.[1][2][3] Despite never being a perennial superstar, his longevity and physical dominance made him one of the most effective interior linemen of his era, particularly in Buffalo's "wide-nine" scheme under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, where he recorded career-high tackle totals.[4]Early Life and Background
Family and Childhood
Theodore Washington Jr. was born on April 13, 1968, in Tampa, Florida, to Ted Washington Sr., a linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers from 1970 to 1980.[4] His parents divorced during his early years, leaving his father largely absent from his upbringing, as Washington later recounted in describing his father's career demands and subsequent divorce.[5] Despite the separation, Washington's exposure to his father's professional achievements fostered an early aspiration to pursue football, motivating him to emulate his dad's path as an athlete.[4] Washington grew up in Tampa, where he developed interests in multiple sports amid a family legacy tied to the sport, though details on his mother's role or any siblings remain undocumented in available records.[4] His childhood environment emphasized physical pursuits, setting the stage for later athletic endeavors, with football emerging as a primary influence due to paternal precedent.[4]High School Football Career
Theodore Washington Jr. attended Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa, Florida, where he played football as a lineman.[1] He emerged as a standout performer on the Titans' defensive line during his high school years, drawing attention from college recruiters despite the program's modest profile.[3] Washington's physical dominance and athletic versatility—stemming from his participation in multiple sports—positioned him for a full scholarship to the University of Louisville, where he continued as a defensive tackle.[4] In recognition of his high school contributions, he was later selected to The Athletic's all-time Tampa Bay area football team.[6]Collegiate Career
University of Louisville Performance
Washington played defensive tackle for the University of Louisville Cardinals from 1987 to 1990, emerging as a dominant force on the defensive line.[7] Over his college career, he amassed 298 tackles and 14 sacks, contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts.[7] His senior season in 1990 marked a breakout performance, during which he recorded 76 tackles, seven sacks, and three blocked field goals while earning All-South Independent honors.[7] That year, the Cardinals achieved a 10-1-1 record under head coach Howard Schnellenberger, culminating in a 34-7 victory over Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 1991.[4] Washington's contributions helped anchor a defense that supported the team's postseason success.[8] In recognition of his impact, Washington was inducted into the University of Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.[7]Professional Career
San Francisco 49ers (1991–1994)
Washington was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (25th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft out of the University of Louisville, where he had excelled as a defensive tackle.[1] As a rookie in 1991, he appeared in all 16 regular-season games without a start, recording 21 tackles and 1.0 sack while serving primarily as a rotational player behind veteran nose tackle Michael Carter on a defense that ranked among the league's best in points allowed.[1][4] His role expanded in 1992, when he started 6 of 16 games, contributing 35 tackles and 2.0 sacks as the 49ers defense continued to perform solidly under coordinator George Seifert.[1] By 1993, Washington had secured a starting position, playing in 12 regular-season games (all starts) with 41 tackles and 3.0 sacks, helping anchor the line during a 10-6 season that ended with a divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants.[1] He also started both postseason games that year.[1]| Year | Team | Games Played | Games Started | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | SF | 16 | 0 | 21 | 1.0 |
| 1992 | SF | 16 | 6 | 35 | 2.0 |
| 1993 | SF | 12 | 12 | 41 | 3.0 |
Denver Broncos (1995)
Washington signed with the Denver Broncos as part of a trade from the San Francisco 49ers on April 20, 1994, but his association with the team concluded prior to the 1995 season.[10] After appearing in 15 games with 15 starts during the 1994 NFL season—his only year of gameplay with Denver—he entered unrestricted free agency.[1] On February 24, 1995, Washington agreed to a three-year, $10.35 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, citing in part his desire to reunite with former Broncos defensive line coach Wade Phillips, who had moved to Buffalo as defensive coordinator.[11] He recorded no statistics or appearances for the Broncos in 1995.[1]Buffalo Bills (1995–2000)
Washington signed with the Buffalo Bills as an unrestricted free agent on February 22, 1995, following brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos.[4] As the nose tackle in Buffalo's 3-4 defensive scheme, he served as the anchor of the front line, occupying multiple blockers to free up edge rushers like Bruce Smith and Phil Hansen, and proving particularly effective against the run on short-yardage situations such as fourth-and-one or goal-line stands.[4][12] Over six seasons with the Bills, Washington appeared in 96 games, starting 95, and recorded 378 combined tackles, 19.5 sacks, one interception, and one safety.[1] His performance peaked in 1996 with a career-high 92 tackles and 3.5 sacks, while in 1998 he achieved 4.5 sacks (a personal best), the aforementioned interception, and a safety worth two points.[4][1] He earned Pro Bowl selections in 1997, 1998, and 2000, along with Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro honors in 1997 for his disruptive presence that season, where he tallied 80 tackles and 4.0 sacks.[1] The following table summarizes Washington's regular-season statistics during his Bills tenure:| Year | Games (GS) | Tackles (Solo/Assist) | Sacks | INT | FF | FR | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 16 (15) | 53 (42/11) | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1996 | 16 (16) | 92 (70/22) | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Career-high tackles |
| 1997 | 16 (16) | 80 (63/17) | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Pro Bowl, AP-2nd Team |
| 1998 | 16 (16) | 50 (35/15) | 4.5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Pro Bowl, 1 Safety |
| 1999 | 16 (16) | 45 (34/11) | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 PD |
| 2000 | 16 (16) | 58 (37/21) | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Pro Bowl, 1 PD, 4 TFL |
Chicago Bears (2001)
Ted Washington signed with the Chicago Bears as an unrestricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills on April 10, 2001, bolstering the team's defensive line alongside fellow free-agent signee Keith Traylor.[13] The three-year contract addressed Chicago's need for interior run-stopping presence, with Washington slotted as the starting left defensive tackle in head coach Dick Jauron's 4-3 scheme.[14] During the 2001 regular season, Washington appeared in all 16 games, starting 15, and recorded 40 combined tackles (32 solo, 8 assisted), 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery.[1] Paired with Traylor on the interior, he helped form one of the NFL's most formidable run defenses, contributing to the Bears' overall defensive ranking that supported a 13–3 record, NFC Central division title, and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.[15] In the postseason, he played in the Bears' divisional-round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on January 19, 2002, logging 1 tackle.[1] Washington's performance earned him his fourth Pro Bowl selection and a First-Team All-Pro honor, recognizing his role in disrupting opposing offenses and anchoring Chicago's front.[1][10] His size (6-foot-5, 365 pounds) and technique proved pivotal in controlling the line of scrimmage, though his sack totals remained modest as a nose-tackle type focused on gap plugging rather than pass rushing.[1]New England Patriots (2002–2003)
Washington was traded to the New England Patriots from the Chicago Bears on August 20, 2003, in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice.[10] At age 35, the 6-foot-5, 365-pound nose tackle was acquired to bolster the Patriots' run defense, which had struggled in the 2002 season, allowing opponents to average over 120 rushing yards per game.[16] His addition provided veteran stability on the defensive line alongside players like Richard Seymour, enabling a shift to a more dominant front that emphasized stopping the run as a foundation for the unit's overall effectiveness.[17] In the 2003 regular season, Washington started all 10 games he appeared in as the left defensive tackle, recording 40 combined tackles (32 solo, 8 assisted), 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble.[1] His presence helped the Patriots' defense rank third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (94.5), a marked improvement that contributed to an 11-5 record and the AFC East title.[1] Washington's technique as a space-eater clogged interior lanes, freeing linebackers like Tedy Bruschi to make plays, and he adapted quickly despite joining mid-preseason.[18] Washington started all three postseason games for the Patriots, helping anchor the defense during their playoff run.[1] In the Divisional Round victory over the Tennessee Titans, Wild Card win against the Indianapolis Colts, and AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the unit limited opponents to under 100 rushing yards combined, showcasing Washington's impact in high-stakes matchups.[1] He contributed to the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004, where the defense held Carolina to 129 total rushing yards in a 32-29 win, earning Washington his first and only championship ring.[1] His one-year stint ended as he departed for the Oakland Raiders in free agency, leaving behind a legacy of immediate run-stuffing reliability that aided New England's repeat contention.[4]Oakland Raiders (2004–2005)
Washington signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent on March 4, 2004, agreeing to a four-year contract valued at $14 million, with the aim of bolstering the defensive line's run defense alongside Warren Sapp.[19][20] At age 35, he was expected to provide veteran stability to a unit that had struggled against the run in prior seasons.[20] In the 2004 season, Washington started all 16 games at left defensive tackle, recording 41 total tackles (33 solo, 8 assisted), 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.[1][21] His contributions helped anchor the interior line, though the Raiders finished 4-12 and ranked 25th in total defense, allowing 346.1 yards per game.[21] Washington demonstrated effectiveness in pass-rush situations, with his 3 sacks tying for the team lead among defensive tackles.[1] Washington returned as a starter in 2005, again playing all 16 games with 16 starts, amassing 48 total tackles (38 solo, 10 assisted) and 3 forced fumbles, but recording no sacks.[1][22] Despite his efforts, the Raiders' defense remained middling, ranking 23rd against the run (123.9 yards allowed per game), and the team ended 4-12 once more.[22] At 37 years old, Washington was described as still a formidable presence in the middle, contributing to double-team blocks that freed edge rushers.[23] His tenure with Oakland concluded after the 2005 season, as he was released prior to 2006.[1]Cleveland Browns (2006–2007)
Washington signed with the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2006, to a two-year contract, primarily to strengthen the team's run defense as a veteran nose tackle.[24] In the 2006 season, Washington started all 16 games, recording 52 combined tackles (43 solo, 9 assisted), 4 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hit, with no sacks or forced fumbles.[1] Despite participating in the play that severely injured Browns center LeCharles Bentley during the first snap of training camp, Washington avoided major setbacks and anchored the defensive line for a 4-12 team. His contributions earned him an approximate value rating of 7 from Pro-Football-Reference.[1] Washington's 2007 tenure was limited by recurring knee issues; he appeared in only 5 games with 1 start, tallying 6 combined tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted) before the Browns placed him on injured reserve on October 31.[25][1] The team cited the knee problems as having "finally caught up" to the 39-year-old, ending his participation early and marking the conclusion of his 17-year NFL career.[25]Physical Attributes and Playing Style
Size, Strength, and Technique
Ted Washington measured 6 feet 5 inches in height and maintained a listed playing weight of 365 pounds throughout much of his NFL career, though teammates and observers estimated his actual mass reached 400 pounds or more at times due to his imposing build.[1][26] This extraordinary size positioned him as an ideal nose tackle, capable of occupying multiple blockers and controlling the line of scrimmage in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.[4] Washington's strength was evident in his ability to anchor against double-teams, often described as "immovable" for holding the point of attack and preventing offensive linemen from advancing.[26][27] He demonstrated durability by appearing in 236 regular-season games over 17 seasons, a testament to his physical resilience despite his massive frame.[28] In college at the University of Louisville, he showcased raw power by blocking three field goals, highlighting his explosive upper-body force.[4] His technique emphasized run defense through a two-gap approach, where he would engage the center and fill both A-gaps to clog interior lanes and force plays to the perimeter.[29] Washington excelled in short-yardage and goal-line situations, using leverage, hand placement, and a relentless motor to shed blocks and pursue ball carriers for tackles for loss, often freeing linebackers to make plays.[4][30] While not a prolific pass rusher—accumulating 34.5 sacks over his career—he lifted blockers in pass protection to disrupt quarterback timing without relying on speed.[26] This power-based style, combined with surprising quickness for his size, allowed him to "handcuff" double-teams and dominate inside runs.[27]Strengths and Criticisms
Washington's primary strength as a defensive tackle was his exceptional size and run-stuffing capability, standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing over 365 pounds, which allowed him to clog interior lanes, absorb double-teams, and prevent blockers from reaching the second level, thereby freeing linebackers and defensive ends to make plays.[26][4] His brute strength and quickness relative to his mass enabled him to dominate goal-line stands and short-yardage situations, often generating tackles for loss and disrupting running plays at or behind the line of scrimmage.[4] New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised this aspect, noting Washington's productivity in tackles and his role in keeping opponents away from linebackers.[26] Scouts highlighted Washington's relentless motor and athleticism for his frame, describing him as a 400-pound athlete who moved with surprising agility, contributing to his longevity across 17 NFL seasons and consistent performance in run defense.[4] While he recorded 34.5 career sacks, demonstrating some versatility in collapsing pockets, his evaluation emphasized elite specialization as a nose tackle in 3-4 schemes rather than all-down dominance.[26] Critics noted limitations in pass-rush scenarios, where Washington was frequently substituted out during obvious passing downs, reflecting a specialized role focused on run defense rather than three-down play.[26] His effectiveness waned in 4-3 alignments that did not maximize his strengths as a space-eating interior anchor, and schemes often aimed to out-quick him or avoid direct confrontations.[26] Injuries, such as a 2002 leg fracture and ligament tear that sidelined him for most of the season, occasionally exposed vulnerabilities in durability later in his career.[4]Career Statistics and Achievements
NFL Regular Season and Postseason Stats
Ted Washington appeared in 236 regular season games across 15 NFL seasons from 1991 to 2007, starting 189 of them as a defensive tackle.[1] His career totals include 758 combined tackles (614 solo, 144 assisted), 34.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.[1] Tackle statistics, officially tracked by the league starting in 1994, reflect his role as a run-stuffing interior lineman, with peak production including 80 combined tackles and 4 sacks in 1997 while with the Buffalo Bills.[1]| Year | Team | G | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | SF | 16 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 1.0 |
| 1992 | SF | 16 | 16 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 3.0 |
| 1993 | SF | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.5 |
| 1994 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 62 | 51 | 11 | 1.0 |
| 1995 | DEN/BUF | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 |
| 1996 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.5 |
| 1997 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 80 | 63 | 17 | 4.0 |
| 1998 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 72 | 58 | 14 | 2.5 |
| 1999 | BUF | 14 | 14 | 64 | 49 | 15 | 3.0 |
| 2000 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 73 | 56 | 17 | 1.5 |
| 2001 | CHI | 16 | 15 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 2002 | NE | 15 | 15 | 45 | 37 | 8 | 2.0 |
| 2003 | NE | 16 | 16 | 50 | 43 | 7 | 2.5 |
| 2004 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 50 | 42 | 8 | 3.0 |
| 2005 | OAK | 15 | 15 | 44 | 35 | 9 | 4.0 |
| 2006 | CLE | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 | CLE | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Career | - | 236 | 189 | 758 | 614 | 144 | 34.5 |