Michigan State University Athletics
NFF On-Campus Salute Scheduled For Gene Washington
10/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 20, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State two-time All-American Gene Washington, one of 14 players and two coaches named to the College Football Hall of Fame 2011 Class, will be honored during a special pregame ceremony prior to Saturday night's Homecoming game against Wisconsin (8 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN).
National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame representatives Matthew Sign and Pat Vaughn will join MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis in presenting Washington with an official plaque for permanent display on campus. The NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute program began with the inaugural class in 1951.
As MSU's latest inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, his name also will be added to Spartan Stadium's "Ring of Fame" on the east upper deck.
A three-year starter for Coach Duffy Daugherty from 1964-66, Washington helped Michigan State to a combined record of 23-6-1 during his career, including back-to-back Big Ten and National Championships in 1965-66. During that three-year span, the Spartans posted a 17-3 record in Big Ten games. A two-time First-Team All-American and two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection (1965-66), Washington led the team in receptions for three-straight seasons.
"One of the greatest offensive threats to ever set foot on the gridiron, Gene Washington was a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare," NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. "His speed and ability to out maneuver defensive backs played a critical role in the Spartans' national titles in 1965 and '66. It will be a thrill to honor him in front of the Michigan State fans on Saturday."
The La Porte, Texas, native burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 1964, setting then-school single-season records for receptions (35) and receiving yards (542) to go along with his five touchdown catches. In 1964, Washington also set then-Spartan single-game records for receptions (nine) and receiving yards (150) at Notre Dame. In addition, he earned Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-America (second team) honors as a sophomore.
As a junior in 1965, he hooked up with quarterback Steve Juday to establish career bests in receptions (40) and receiving yards (638). Washington also tied for the Big Ten lead in TD receptions (four) while ranking second in receiving yards (544) and fifth in receptions (30). He earned Lineman of the Week honors from Sports Illustrated after catching three TD passes against Indiana, as MSU scored 17 fourth-quarter points en route to a 27-13 victory to clinch the Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Washington had a game-high four receptions for 81 yards against UCLA in the 1966 Rose Bowl. His 42-yard grab from Juday set up MSU's first touchdown against the Bruins.
As a 6-foot-3, 218-pound senior, Washington was utilized primarily as a blocker, as the 9-0-1 Spartans averaged 230.5 rushing yards in 1966. He caught 27 passes for a then school-record 677 yards and a career-best seven TDs. Washington averaged an incredible 25.0 yards per catch as a senior.
Washington closed out his career as MSU's all-time leader in receptions (102), receiving yards (1,857) and TD receptions (16). His 18.2 yards per catch still rank ninth on MSU's all-time list. Washington had six career 100-yard receiving games.
He also was a remarkable track athlete at Michigan State, winning one NCAA indoor title (1965 60-yard high hurdles) and six Big Ten championships (three indoor and three outdoor in hurdles).
Washington was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round (No. 8 overall) of the 1967 NFL Draft and became a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1969-70). He was named First-Team All-Pro by The Associated Press in 1969 after recording 39 catches for 821 yards (21.1 avg.) and nine TDs. Washington had 182 career receptions for 3,237 yards and 26 TDs in seven pro seasons (Minnesota, 1967-72; Denver, 1973).
In 1975, Washington was named to the All-Time All-Big Ten Team, selected in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the league. In 1992, he became a member of the inaugural class inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Washington becomes the sixth former Michigan State player to be selected for the College Football Hall of Fame, joining halfback John Pingel (inducted in 1968), tackle Don Coleman (1975), linebacker George Webster (1987), defensive end Bubba Smith (1988) and safety Brad Van Pelt (2001).
Washington will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the NFF College Football Hall of Fame's 54th Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 6 at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.
The 2011 Class also features former Florida wide receiver Carlos Alvarez (1969-71), Texas defensive tackle Doug English (1972-74), Oregon State fullback Bill Enyart (1966-68), Ohio State running back Eddie George (1992-95), Alabama defensive tackle Marty Lyons (1975-78), Miami-Fla. defensive tackle Russell Maryland (1986-90), Florida State defensive back Deion Sanders (1985-88), Georgia defensive back Jake Scott (1967-68), Nebraska offensive guard Will Shields (1989-92), Minnesota quarterback Sandy Stephens (1959-61), West Virginia linebacker Darryl Talley (1979-82), Oklahoma halfback Clendon Thomas (1955-57) and Arizona defensive lineman Rob Waldrop (1990-93) plus former head coaches Lloyd Carr (Michigan, 1995-2007) and Fisher DeBerry (Air Force, 1984-2006).
