Mark Washington (cornerback)

American football player (born 1947)

For the Canadian Football League player, see Mark Washington (Canadian football).

American football player

Mark Washington

Washington in 2011

No. 46, 46
Position:| Cornerback
Personal information
Born:|  (1947-12-28) December 28, 1947 (age 76)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:| 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:| 188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:| Chicago (IL) Harlan
College:| Morgan State
NFL draft:| 1970 / Round: 13 / Pick: 335
Career history

* Dallas Cowboys (1970–1978)
* New England Patriots (1979)

Career highlights and awards

* 2× Super Bowl champion (VI, XII)
* All-CIAA (1969)

Career NFL statistics
| Games played:| 118

|

Interceptions:| 13
Interception yards:| 107
Fumble recoveries:| 7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Mark Henry Washington (born December 28, 1947) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. He played college football at Morgan State University.

## Early years[edit]

Washington attended Chicago's John Marshall Harlan Career Academy, before receiving a football scholarship to play for Morgan State University. He was coached by Earl Banks, who at the time sent many of his players to professional football.[1]

He became a four year starter at cornerback and was part of a team that had 31 straight wins. As a senior, he was named co-captain, posted 6 interceptions and received All-CIAA honors. He finished his career with 15 interceptions.

In 1993, he was inducted into the Morgan State University Athletic Hall of Fame.[2]

## Professional career[edit]

### Dallas Cowboys[edit]

Washington was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 13th round (335th overall) of the 1970 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 a touchdown against the Washington Redskins.[3] He also blocked an extra point in Super 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.

When Herb Adderley retired in 1973, he had a chance to earn the left cornerback starting job, but he was passed over by Charlie Waters.

In 1974, 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.

In 1975, he was the starter at left cornerback for the full season (14 starts), registered 4 interceptions (tied for second on the team) and helped the Cowboys reach Super Bowl X. But he is mostly remembered for his play against Lynn Swann, who finished the game with four receptions for a then Super Bowl record 161 yards, one touchdown and became the first wide receiver to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. Washington had excellent coverage on Swann on all 4 receptions, but Swann was able to make plays each time.[5][6]

In 1976, he was replaced with Benny Barnes, but got a chance to start 5 games at right cornerback after Mel Renfro was injured, posting 4 interceptions (led the team).

In 1977, he started 4 games at mid-season after Aaron Kyle suffered a fractured left wrist. He also filled in at left corner in Super Bowl XII when Barnes exited with a foot injury early in the game. In 1978, 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]

### New England Patriots[edit]

Washington signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent on September 13, 1979.[8] He was released on November 1, to make room for tight end Al Chandler.[9]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "End Of An Era". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
2. ^ "Morgan's Varsity 'M' Club inducts 16 into Hall of Fame". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
3. ^ "Mike Washington Has Kickoff Return Formula". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
4. ^ "Kicker finally makes Colts". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
5. ^ "Mark Washington, Cornerback, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl X, Miami". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
6. ^ "Duck Soup Sans Swann?". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
7. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
8. ^ "Patriots sign vet cornerback". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
9. ^ "Injured Bulaich says blow was intentional". Retrieved February 19, 2023.

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Dallas Cowboys 1970 NFL Draft selections

* Duane Thomas
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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl VI champions

* 10 Ron Widby
* 12 Roger Staubach (MVP)
* 14 Craig Morton
* 15 Toni Fritsch
* 19 Lance Alworth
* 20 Mel Renfro
* 22 Bob Hayes
* 23 Margene Adkins
* 26 Herb Adderley
* 30 Dan Reeves
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* 79 Forrest Gregg
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* 85 Tody Smith
* 87 Billy Truax
* 89 Mike Ditka

* Head coach: Tom Landry

* Coaches: Ermal Allen
* Bobby Franklin
* Jim Myers
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* Ray Renfro
* Ernie Stautner
* Jerry Tubbs

* v
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* e

Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XII champions

* 1 Efrén Herrera
* 11 Danny White
* 12 Roger Staubach
* 18 Glenn Carano
* 20 Mel Renfro
* 21 Doug Dennison
* 25 Aaron Kyle
* 26 Preston Pearson
* 31 Benny Barnes
* 33 Tony Dorsett
* 35 Scott Laidlaw
* 36 Larry Brinson
* 41 Charlie Waters
* 42 Randy Hughes
* 43 Cliff Harris
* 44 Robert Newhouse
* 46 Mark Washington
* 50 D. D. Lewis
* 53 Bob Breunig
* 54 Randy White (Co-MVP)
* 56 Thomas Henderson
* 57 Bruce Huther
* 58 Mike Hegman
* 59 Guy Brown
* 61 Jim Cooper
* 62 John Fitzgerald
* 63 Larry Cole
* 64 Tom Rafferty
* 65 Dave Stalls
* 66 Burton Lawless
* 67 Pat Donovan
* 68 Herbert Scott
* 70 Rayfield Wright
* 71 Andy Frederick
* 72 Ed "Too Tall" Jones
* 73 Ralph Neely
* 75 Jethro Pugh
* 77 Bill Gregory
* 79 Harvey Martin (Co-MVP)
* 80 Tony Hill
* 83 Golden Richards
* 86 Butch Johnson
* 87 Jay Saldi
* 88 Drew Pearson
* 89 Billy Joe DuPree

* Head coach: Tom Landry

* Coaches: Ermal Allen
* Mike Ditka
* Jim Myers
* Dan Reeves
* Gene Stallings
* Ernie Stautner
* Jerry Tubbs

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