Leon Washington facts for kids
Washington at a pep rally in Times Square in 2010
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| No. 29, 33, 26 | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | August 29, 1982 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 192 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Florida State (2002–2005) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 117 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| As coach: | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Leon Dewitt Washington Sr. (born August 29, 1982) is a former American football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back and return specialist. During his career, he was chosen for 2 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro teams. Washington holds many records for kick returns for both the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks.
Washington played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. The New York Jets picked him in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans.
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Early Life and High School Football
Leon Washington grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He went to Andrew Jackson High School. There, he was an amazing athlete in many sports. He was a star in football, playing as a running back, cornerback, and wide receiver.
High School Achievements
In his final year of high school, Leon ran for 2,437 yards. He also scored 28 touchdowns. He was great at returning kicks and punts, scoring three times on punts and once on a kickoff. On defense, he made 88 tackles and had three interceptions.
After this fantastic season in 2002, he was named "Mr. Florida" for football. He also won the Florida Times-Union Player of the Year award. Many experts thought he was one of the best players in the country. He chose to play college football at Florida State University.
College Football Career
Leon Washington received a scholarship to play for the Florida State Seminoles football team. He played there from 2002 to 2005.
Freshman Year (2002)
As a freshman, Leon changed his position from cornerback to running back. He played in all 14 games. He was fourth on the team with 273 rushing yards. He also led the team in return yards. He was the first freshman at FSU since 1997 to run for over 100 yards in a game. He even returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against Clemson.
Sophomore Year (2003)
In 2003, Leon was the second-best rusher for Florida State. He gained 387 yards. He missed four games because of an elbow injury. He scored a game-winning touchdown in overtime against North Carolina. This helped the Seminoles win their 11th ACC Championship.
Junior Year (2004)
During his junior year, Leon was named the Most Valuable Player of the Gator Bowl. He ran for a career-high 195 yards in that game. This was the second-most yards by an FSU player in a bowl game. He was named to the All-ACC second-team. He led the ACC in rushing yards per game, averaging 95.1 yards. He also led his team with seven rushing touchdowns.
Senior Year (2005)
In his senior year, Leon played in 11 games. He missed two games due to an ankle injury. He became the only player in the Bobby Bowden era to score touchdowns in five different ways. These ways included running, catching, punt returns, kick returns, and fumble recoveries. He finished his college career with 2,041 rushing yards.
Professional Football Career
Leon Washington was picked by the New York Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was the 117th player chosen overall.
New York Jets (2006–2009)
Leon quickly showed his talent. In a preseason game, he returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. In his first regular season, he had a 100-yard rushing game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Later, he ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns against the Detroit Lions.
In 2008, Washington had an amazing year. He gained 2,317 all-purpose yards, which was more than any other running back in the NFL. He returned a kick 92 yards for a touchdown against the New England Patriots. This was his fourth career kick return touchdown, setting a new club record for the Jets. He was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
In 2009, Leon suffered a serious leg injury. This injury ended his season early.
Seattle Seahawks (2010–2012)
In 2010, Leon Washington was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. He quickly made an impact. In a game against the San Diego Chargers, he set a Seahawks record. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in one game. One return was 101 yards, and the other was 99 yards. He signed a four-year contract with the Seahawks in 2011. He was released by the Seahawks in 2013.
New England Patriots (2013)
Leon signed with the New England Patriots in March 2013. He was released and then re-signed later that year. He was released again in November 2013.
Tennessee Titans (2013–2014)
In November 2013, Washington signed with the Tennessee Titans. He re-signed with them for another year in 2014.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Leon Washington became a coach.
- From 2019 to 2020, he coached for the Detroit Lions. He was an assistant coach for offense and special teams.
- From 2021 to 2023, he was an assistant special teams coach for the New York Jets.
Records and Achievements
Leon Washington holds several impressive records:
NFL Records
- Most kickoff return touchdowns in a single game: 2 (tied with 9 other players).
New York Jets Records
- Most career kickoff return touchdowns (4).
- Most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season: 3 (2007).
- Most all-purpose yards in a single season: 2,337 (2008).
Seattle Seahawks Records
- Most career kickoff return touchdowns (4).
- Second longest kickoff return touchdown: 101 yards (2010).
- Most kickoff return touchdowns in a single game: 2 (2010).
Personal Life and Foundation
Leon Washington started a charity called the Leon Washington Foundation. This foundation helps families in the Jacksonville, Florida area. It focuses on education, sports, and life skills. The foundation aims to inspire and educate young people. It helps them live healthier and more productive lives.
One important event is the Leon Washington Football Camp. This is a free, one-day football clinic. Current and former NFL players help run the camp. It is open to young people from Jacksonville and nearby areas.
Images for kids
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Washington (at right, holding football) and other NFL players talk to parents at the 2014 Leon Washington Football Camp.
