Ted Washington To Be Honored
Sorry for all the young fans who never got to see Ted Washington play football at the University of Louisville from 1987 to 1990. With a playing weight of between 350 and 400 pounds, he was the largest to ever wear a Cardinal uniform.
He returns to Louisville tonight after 16 seasons in the National Football League to have his uniform honored. Yes, Washington will now be a permanent part of the atmosphere at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
He set the tone for a magical season in 1990 when he broke through twice in the final seconds to block consecutive field goal attempts by San Jose State to preserve a 10-10 tie (yes, they had ties back then). That team would prevail in nine of its next 10 games, including wins over Kansas, Pittsburgh and Boston College, before thumping Alabama 34-7 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Big Ted would go on to play for six NFL teams (San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Buffalo, New England and Oakland) before retiring from the Cleveland Browns this season. Always a force wherever he played.
About the Author: Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, as well as a public affairs consultant and a UofL grad and longtime fan.
Jerry | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Ted Washington was one of my all-time favorites. Whoever he played for in the NFL was always my favorite team at the time.
Sonja | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Good to see Big Ted tonight. This loss hurts though. To gain over 500 yards and lose? I’m numb.
Jerry | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
The basics are running and passing. Should have won.