Gene Washington (American football, born 1944)


 * ''There were two wide receivers in the NFL named Gene Washington; for the other, see Gene Washington (American football, born 1947)

Eugene Washington (born January 25, 1944) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings (1967–1972) and the Denver Broncos (1973–1974). He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.

College career
A big 6'3", 208 lbs receiver with great speed, he ran track as well as playing football for the Michigan State Spartans. He was the 1965 NCAA Indoor Champion for 60 yard hurdles.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.


 * 1964: 35 catches for 542 yards and 5 TD.
 * 1965: 44 catches for 719 yards and 4 TD.
 * 1966: 27 catches for 677 yards and 7 TD.

Professional career
He was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 NFL Draft, along with college teammate, running back Clinton Jones and future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Alan Page, a defensive end from the University of Notre Dame. As a rookie, Washington averaged 29.5 yards per reception. In 1968 he caught 46 passes. In 1969 he had 821 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Washington made the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1970. He played in Super Bowl IV (1 catch for 9 yards) after the 1969 NFL season. The Vikings were upset by the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7, on January 11, 1970 at Tulane Stadium, in New Orleans. He is the subject of the documentary, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar, written and directed by his daughter Maya Washington.