Ted Washington, Jr.

Theadore “Ted” Washington, Jr., also known as “Mt. Washington” or “Washington Monument,” earned his nicknames for his dominance and large frame, which made him perfect to play nose tackle in the NFL. Washington had a remarkable 17-year career that spanned seven teams and included a Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Washington came from a football family. His father, Ted Washington Sr., was an NFL linebacker, who played 10 seasons in the NFL for the Houston Oilers. Ted Washington, Jr. continued that great legacy. He was a standout football player at Tampa Bay Technical High School before earning a scholarship to the University of Louisville, where he became one of the best interior linemen in college football.

At Louisville, Washington dominated the line of scrimmage with his size and strength. His senior season was particularly impressive. He recorded 76 total tackles, showcasing his ability to shed blocks and make plays all over the field. Washington also became a game-changer on special teams, blocking three field goals, a testament to his power and timing off the snap. His consistent impact earned him second-team All-South Independent honors, cementing his status as one of Louisville’s most dependable defensive standouts during his tenure.

Washington was selected 25th overall in the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent the early years of his career developing into a full-time starter before blossoming with the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears. With the Bills, Washington became the centerpiece of a suffocating defense, earning three Pro Bowl selections in 1997, 1998, and 2000.

Over the course of his career, Washington played for the 49ers, Broncos, Bills, Bears, Patriots, Raiders, and Browns. In 2001 with Chicago, Washington put together one of his best NFL seasons earning Pro Bowl honors while also being selected as a first-team All-Pro. He was a crucial component of the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVIII championship run in 2003, as he started at nose tackle.

Washington wrapped up his career with more than 600 tackles and 34.5 sacks which is exceptional production for a defensive lineman, a position typically defined more by disruption than statistics. He appeared in 249 games, one of the highest totals ever for a player at his position, a testament to his extraordinary longevity, toughness, and durability in one of football’s most physically demanding roles.

Following his retirement from the NFL in 2007, Washington kept a low public profile but was involved in youth football and served as a defensive line coach in Indian, South Carolina.

Photo Oakland Raiders. 1992 Pro Set Trading Card. Biography by John T. Broome.