Kelley Washington
Encyclopedia
James Kelley Washington (born August 21, 1979 in Stephens City, Virginia
) is an American football
wide receiver
for the San Diego Chargers
. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals
in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Tennessee
.
Washington has also been a member of the New England Patriots
, Baltimore Ravens
and Philadelphia Eagles
.
in Stephens City, Virginia and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he was a two-way starter as a quarterback and defensive back and as a senior he was an All-State selection. He twice led his team to the Virginia Class AA-Division 4 State Championship game, though the Warriors lost both times.
and signed as a shortstop. Washington spent four years in the minors, often rooming with current star pitcher Josh Beckett
.
. As a 22-year-old freshman in 2001, he caught 70 passes for 1080 yards and seven touchdowns and made the freshman All-American team.
Considered a lock to be a first-round pick if he left early, Washington stayed for his sophomore year but was limited to four games due to injuries. After missing the first two games of that 2002 season with a knee sprain, and suffered a concussion Oct. 12 at Georgia that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He underwent surgery on Nov. 19 to fuse two vertebrae in his neck.
He finished his two-year career with 93 catches for 1523 yards and eight touchdowns. He was an Arts and sciences major.
, reuniting him with his college teammate and fellow wide receiver Donté Stallworth. The deal, with a $300,000 signing bonus and a $4-million bonus due in the 2008, could be worth as much as $22 million over five years. While Washington had not been used as a wide receiver by the Patriots, he had seen time on special teams, blocking a punt against the New York Jets
. On February 29, 2008, Washington was re-signed by the Patriots under a new contract.
Washington was released by the Patriots on February 17, 2009. He visited the New York Jets
on February 18, and the Buffalo Bills
on February 24, continuing the cycle of players between AFC East
teams.
. Washington outperformed Porter and Perry, and on May 14, 2009 Washington agreed to terms on a contract with the Ravens.During 2009, set career highs across the board, with 31 REC, 431 yards, and two TDs. Washington Washington officially signed a one-year contract with Baltimore Ravens
on May 19, 2009.
on July 31, 2010. Washington was released by the Eagles on September 5, 2010 after failing to make the 53-man roster.
Stephens City, Virginia
Stephens City is an incorporated town in the southern part of Frederick County, Virginia, United States, with a population of 1,829 at the time of the 2010 Census....
) is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
.
Washington has also been a member of the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
Washington attended Sherando High SchoolSherando High School
Sherando High School is a public secondary school within Frederick County, Virginia, and is part of Frederick County Public Schools. The school is located east of the town of Stephens City.-History:...
in Stephens City, Virginia and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he was a two-way starter as a quarterback and defensive back and as a senior he was an All-State selection. He twice led his team to the Virginia Class AA-Division 4 State Championship game, though the Warriors lost both times.
Baseball career
He was taken in the 10th round of the June 1997 baseball draft by the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
and signed as a shortstop. Washington spent four years in the minors, often rooming with current star pitcher Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
.
College career
Washington spent two seasons at the University of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
. As a 22-year-old freshman in 2001, he caught 70 passes for 1080 yards and seven touchdowns and made the freshman All-American team.
Considered a lock to be a first-round pick if he left early, Washington stayed for his sophomore year but was limited to four games due to injuries. After missing the first two games of that 2002 season with a knee sprain, and suffered a concussion Oct. 12 at Georgia that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He underwent surgery on Nov. 19 to fuse two vertebrae in his neck.
He finished his two-year career with 93 catches for 1523 yards and eight touchdowns. He was an Arts and sciences major.
Cincinnati Bengals
He was drafted by Cincinnati in the 3rd round of the 2003 draft. He never got much playing time while in Cincinnati, recording just 893 yards and 9 touchdowns in 4 seasons. In Cincinnati, he was famous for his signature "Squirrel" dance after scoring touchdowns. He was released following the 2006 season.New England Patriots
On March 11, 2007, Washington agreed to a five year deal with the New England PatriotsNew England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, reuniting him with his college teammate and fellow wide receiver Donté Stallworth. The deal, with a $300,000 signing bonus and a $4-million bonus due in the 2008, could be worth as much as $22 million over five years. While Washington had not been used as a wide receiver by the Patriots, he had seen time on special teams, blocking a punt against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. On February 29, 2008, Washington was re-signed by the Patriots under a new contract.
Washington was released by the Patriots on February 17, 2009. He visited the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on February 18, and the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on February 24, continuing the cycle of players between AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
teams.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens invited Kelley Washington to an offseason mini-camp to try-out for the team, competing against fellow veteran, free-agent receivers Jerry Porter and Tab PerryTab Perry
Tab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. Washington outperformed Porter and Perry, and on May 14, 2009 Washington agreed to terms on a contract with the Ravens.During 2009, set career highs across the board, with 31 REC, 431 yards, and two TDs. Washington Washington officially signed a one-year contract with Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
on May 19, 2009.
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington was signed by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on July 31, 2010. Washington was released by the Eagles on September 5, 2010 after failing to make the 53-man roster.