RIP Russ "Big Rue" Washington

Hound Dog32 · Aug 9, 2021

I am (by far) not the most qualified to post this, as I never saw him play a down for the Tigers & only a few games in the NFL in the late '70s/early '80s for Air Coryell (teammate of Kellen Winslow), but former All-American Tiger & San Diego Charger Russ Washington passed away evidently within the past few days and needs to be acknowledged here. 15-years with the Chargers, 5 Pro Bowls. Not likely to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but certainly worthy of consideration -- and I cannot imagine looking at what he accomplished that he isn't one of the Top 10 Tigers of all-time in terms of his NFL career.

A couple of cool things in reading about Russ, who was a mountain back in those days (6'6 and 295 lbs or thereabouts). Played D-Line for Devine's teams at MIZZOU in the late '60s. Drafted by the Chargers in the 1st round in 1968 (4th overall) and don't believe he even converted to OL until around his 3rd or 4th year with the Chargers. Also held the Chargers record for consecutive starts until Philip Rivers broke it very late in his career.

Finally, Russ was from KC where he went to Southeast HS -- and I read won the MO State Track & Field Title in the Hurdles! Evidently had 2 brothers who also played at MIZZOU -- Dave & Wayne (who I do remember though I was young). And from all accounts, a gentle giant who was very popular with his former Chargers teammates and remained a big part of the community in San Diego after retirement from the NFL (Russ owned a car wash in a suburb called National City for many years). Anyway, these are the kind of Tigers we cannot forget and should celebrate here. I've included some pics and links below for anyone interested. He was 74. RIP, Big Fella.