Joe Washington

Having a father who was an accomplished football player at Prairie View College and a very successful high school coach allowed Joe "Junior" Washington to learn every nuance of the game he loved. After winning a regional "Punt-Pass-And-Kick Contest" in sixth grade and being awarded a Baltimore Colts jacket, Lenny Moore became one of his favorite player and he made it a point to study the amazing moves of one of the game's all time great running backs. Seeking to excel for his father pushed Joe into the role of a varsity player as a mere ninth-grader, almost unheard of in the Texas schoolboy ranks, especially in the ultra-competitive Port Arthur area. The "triple-win" of knowing the game well, having a genuine Hall Of Fame great as an idol, and the motivation of representing his father on the field of play made Joe Washington a schoolboy legend at Lincoln High School. His knack for flamboyance was already evident in a truncated senior season as a broken leg cost him playing time but his white shoes, at least in his estimation, made him "look faster."

Oklahoma Sooners
 

Answering the recruiting call of his campus host Greg Pruitt, Washington chose Oklahoma as his college destination and from 1972 through '75, he was a force every time he stepped onto the field to run, catch, or return punts and kicks. Painting his shoes silver prior to the Kansas game, he immediately made his mark as a man to be both watched and feared at all times. He was one of the true stars on four OU teams that went 11-1, 10-0-1, 11-0, and 11-1 and won both the 1974 and 1975 National Champions. A three-time All Big Eight pick and two-time First Team All American while finishing third in the 1974 Heisman race and fifth in 1975 despite playing with a bruised heel much of the year, this flashy on-the-field superman remained very much a homebody, choosing to baby-sit Head Coach Barry Switzer's children as often as possible. His 4071 rushing yards remains second on the career list for the Sooners and he added thirty-nine touchdowns and tallied nineteen 100-yard games.  He was an easy choice for entry to the College Football Hall Of Fame. The last time this Kelly helmet saw action was in the Japan Bowl.

Baltimore Colts
 

As a 1976 first-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers, Joe lost his rookie season to a knee injury and on August 28, 1978, was traded to the Colts for Lydell Mitchell. He remained with the Colts as a triple-threat player, earning a berth to the 1979 Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with eighty-two pass receptions and adding 884 rushing yards. With the Redskins from 1981 through '84, he was an integral part of two Super Bowl squads and for helmet fans, was the only Redskins that eschewed the "curved feather" helmet decal used in 1982, instead wearing the "straight feather" logo that had been used previously. In 1985, Washington contributed in every game of that season for the Atlanta Falcons and called it a career having totaled 4839 rushing yards. another 3413 on pass receptions, and scored thirty NFL TD's. One of the most exciting and energizing players of his day, Joe Washington still remains a fan favorite wherever he appeared.   

Washington Redskins Tucked Feather

Not many people knew that the Redskins wore this decal in the 82 season , 83 Super Bowl?  Now.. how many of you knew that Joe Washington was the only player that season not to wear this one year only, curved feather tucked style decal?  Of course a clear-shelled Kelly helmet, decaled and painted from the inside is all Joe  wore his entire career.  This helmet was made for Joe Washington by Kelly for 1983 season.  Since the Redskins returned to the straight feather decal the next year, they were unable to use this helmet.  Notice Joe's painted two bar extended positioning..  Mr. Kelly took the time to provide a nice letter which tells the story behind this helmet.

Washington Redskins Super Bowl Helmet

Joe Washington was fanatical about his equipment; from the position of his two bar down to his cleats.  Not only did he keep all of his helmets but literally the complete uniform.  A true pleasure to walk down memory lane in Joe's closet.