_2011.jpg) Washington in 2011 | |||||||||||
| No. 46 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | (1947-12-28)December 28, 1947 (age 77) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 188 lb (85 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school | Harlan (Chicago) | ||||||||||
| College | Morgan State | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1970: 13th round, 335th overall pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Mark Henry Washington (born December 28, 1947) is an American former professionalfootball player who was acornerback in theNational Football League (NFL) for theDallas Cowboys andNew England Patriots. He playedcollege football for theMorgan State Bears.
Washington attendedChicago'sJohn Marshall Harlan Career Academy, before receiving a football scholarship to play forMorgan State University. He was coached byEarl Banks, who at the time sent many of his players to professionalfootball.[1]
He became a four year starter atcornerback and was part of a team that had 31 straight wins. As a senior, he was named co-captain, posted 6 interceptions and receivedAll-CIAA honors. He finished his career with 15 interceptions.
In 1993, he was inducted into theMorgan State University Athletic Hall of Fame.[2]
Washington was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the 13th round (335th overall) of the1970 NFL draft. Even as a rookie, he was one of the best athletes on the team and showed his big play potential with a 100-yard kickoff return for atouchdown against theWashington Redskins.[3] He also blocked anextra point inSuper Bowl V.[4] His 48.4 yards per kick return that season remains a franchise record (though unofficial, as he only returned five kicks on the season).
Coming into his second year, he injured his knee while returning a kickoff in preseason and was waived injured on August 25,1971. He would eventually rejoin the team and play in two games.
WhenHerb Adderley retired in1973, he had a chance to earn theleft cornerback starting job, but he was passed over byCharlie Waters.
In1974, he was named the starting left cornerback at mid-season after Waters struggled and held the job until being slowed down by an ankle injury in the last 2 contests, starting a total of 6 games.
In1975, he was the starter atleft cornerback for the full season (14 starts), registered 4 interceptions (tied for second on the team) and helped the Cowboys reachSuper Bowl X. But he is mostly remembered for his play againstLynn Swann, who finished the game with four receptions for a thenSuper Bowl record 161 yards, onetouchdown and became the firstwide receiver to earnSuper Bowl MVP honors. Washington had excellent coverage on Swann on all 4 receptions, but Swann was able to make plays each time.[5][6]
In1976, he was replaced withBenny Barnes, but got a chance to start 5 games atright cornerback afterMel Renfro was injured, posting 4 interceptions (led the team).
In1977, he started 4 games at mid-season afterAaron Kyle suffered a fractured left wrist. He also filled in at left corner inSuper Bowl XII when Barnes exited with a foot injury early in the game and registered an interception late in the second quarter. In1978, he started 3 games at left cornerback in place of Barnes who had foot problems, but was later sidelined himself by a right knee injury. He was waived on August 21,1979.[7]
Washington signed with theNew England Patriots as afree agent on September 13,1979.[8] He was released on November 1, to make room fortight endAl Chandler.[9]