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Leon Washington
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Leon Washington
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Leon Dewitt Washington Sr.[1] (born August 29, 1982) is an American former professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back and return specialist and made two Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during his career. Washington holds many kick return records for both the Jets and Seattle Seahawks.

Key Information

Washington played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans.

Early life

[edit]

Washington attended Andrew Jackson High School where he proved himself an exceptional all-around athlete, dominating in football as running back, cornerback, and wide receiver. In his senior year, he rushed for 2,437 yards and 28 touchdowns, was a threat on kick and punt returns, returning three punts and one kickoff for touch-downs, and defensively had 88 tackles (52 unassisted) and three interceptions. After this superlative season, in 2002, he was named "Mr. Florida" in football, and earned the Florida Times-Union Player of the Year honor. The Orlando Sentinel named him the No. 3 prospect overall in the state of Florida, and Alliance Sports named him the No. 7 prospect overall in the nation. He was named to the PrepStar Dream Team, rated by Rivals100.com as the No. 1 cornerback in the country and the No. 9 player overall, and rated by TheInsiders.com as the No. 7 cornerback in the country. He was named the Florida Kids' No. 28 prospect from the state of Florida, named to Bill Buchalter's Florida Super 26, was recognized on the Athlon Sports Top 100 High School Seniors, SuperPrep's Top 100 nationally, and Max Emfinger's Top 200.[2]

He selected Florida State over the universities of Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Maryland.[2]

College career

[edit]

Washington received an athletic scholarship to attend Florida State University, where he played for the Florida State Seminoles football team from 2002 to 2005. As a freshman in 2002, he changed positions from cornerback to running back. That year, he played in all 14 games and ranked fourth on the team with 273 yards rushing while catching six passes for 30 yards. He led the team with 273 total return yards and also in punt return average (11.5 yards per return) and kickoff return average (28.3 yards per return). He became the first true freshman at FSU to record a 100-yard rushing game since Travis Minor in 1997. He was named ACC Specialist of the Week twice for his performances against Clemson and Duke, he led the Seminoles in rushing in the Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia with 48 yards on 10 carries, he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score against Clemson, he recovered a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown against Duke, and finished the year with 11 tackles on special teams with two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.[2]

In his sophomore year (2003), Washington played in nine of Florida State's 13 games including the Orange Bowl. He was the second leading rusher with 387 yards and a 5.2 yards per carry average despite missing four games after dislocating his right elbow in the first quarter of the season opener against North Carolina. Washington's punt return for a touchdown against Wake Forest was the first by a Seminole since Peter Warrick's 59-yard return against Virginia Tech in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. He rushed for a season-high 121 yards on 17 carries against NC State, the highest total by a Florida State running back during the season. He scored the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime against the North Carolina Wolfpack on a 12-yard run to clinch the Seminole's 11th ACC Championship in 12 years as a league member. Washington rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries in Florida State's victory over Virginia and 65 yards on 15 carries in the Seminoles' victory over Florida.[2]

During his junior year in 2004, Washington earned the Gator Bowl Most Valuable Player honors with 12 rushes for a career-high 195 yards in the Seminoles' victory over West Virginia. His 16.3 yards per rush is a single-game Florida State record while his 195 yards is the second most by a Seminole player in a bowl game. He earned All-ACC second-team honors and was named as the Seminoles' offensive Most Valuable Player by the coaching staff at the team banquet. He played in 10 of 12 games while earning 10 starting assignments, leading the ACC in rushing yards per game with an average of 95.1. In addition, he finished second in the ACC with 112.5 total offensive yards per game, while leading the team with 951 total yards of offense and seven rushing touchdowns. He ranked second nationally in average yards per carry at 6.89. His season totals included 14 receptions for 98 yards and four kickoff returns for a total of 81 total yards. He scored a total of 42 points to rank second on the team behind only kicker Xavier Beitia.[2]

In his senior year season in 2005, Washington played in 11 games and started in 10, missing two games because of an ankle injury he suffered in the Maryland game. Washington became the only player in the Bobby Bowden era to score touchdowns in five different ways—by run, reception, punt return, kick off return and fumble recovery. He ranked second on the team in rushing yards (430) with a 4.4 yards per carry average, and averaged 10.7 yards per catch. He was the 10th player in FSU history in career rushing with 2,041 yards. He had a season-high 179 all-purpose yards when he rushed for 87 yards and had 92 yards receiving in the Wake Forest game, including a career-long 61-yard touchdown reception. Washington returned six punts for 51 yards in the 2005 season and returned four kickoffs for 63 yards. He led the team in rushing in the Orange Bowl (against Penn State) with 30 yards on six carries, and added six catches for 24 yards in that game. Washington played in 43 games over his FSU career, and was named the Seminoles' most dependable running back in spring practice in 2005 by the coaching staff.[2]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 7+7⁄8 in
(1.72 m) 		201 lb
(91 kg) 		29 in
(0.74 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.45 s 1.58 s 2.63 s 4.37 s 6.94 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)		 8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)		 17 reps
All values from NFL Combine[3][4]

New York Jets

[edit]

Washington was selected in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft.[5] The pick used was obtained by the Jets from the Kansas City Chiefs, as compensation for the release of former Jets head coach Herman Edwards.[6]

Washington gained some attention in his second preseason game, returning a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins. Nonetheless, he did not immediately get many carries in the first few weeks of the regular season. However, as the Jets running game struggled in the first few weeks, his role in the offense increased. He first showcased his ability on a 47-yard reception Week 3 in Buffalo. Two weeks later in Jacksonville, he recorded his first 100-yard rushing game, running for 101 yards in a Jets 41–0 loss.

On October 22 at home against Detroit, Leon ran for 129 yards for two touchdowns and led the Jets' to a 31–24 win. In a game in Miami on Christmas night, Washington had 108 receiving yards including a 64-yard reception to set up the game-winning field goal in a 13–10 win. He helped the Jets clinch the fifth playoff spot in the AFC on New Year's Eve 2006 with a touchdown run that helped to seal a win against the Oakland Raiders in the final game of the 2006 regular season. He finished the regular season with 650 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 151 attempts. He averaged 4.3 yards-per-carry. In an AFC East game, he returned a kick 92 yards for a touchdown against the New England Patriots in 2008. Washington gained 2,317 all-purpose yards in 2008, more than any other running back in the NFL.

In a Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills on November 2, 2008, Washington made a play as a kick returner when he noticed a kickoff was headed out of bounds at the 8-yard line. When he saw the ball would stay in bounds, Washington straddled the sideline and then put his hand on the ball. The officials initially spotted the ball at the 8-yard line before Washington reminded them that, according to the rulebook, the ball is out of bounds when a player standing out of bounds touches it, meaning the correct call was Illegal procedure. This gave the Jets the ball at the 40-yard line, a 32-yard gain in field position.

Washington was selected as AFC Special teams Player of the Week for Week 11 of the 2008 season, the first such award in his career. His 92-yard touchdown was the fourth kick return touchdown of his career, surpassing Justin Miller for the club record.[7] He led the league in all-purpose yards in 2008 with 1606 yards.

Washington was out for the 2009 season with a compound fracture to his fibula that he suffered in Week 7 in a 38–0 shutout win versus the Oakland Raiders. Prior to his season-ending injury, Washington had rushed for 331 yards on 72 carries, with a 4.6 yards/carry average. Washington had yet to score in 2009 prior to his injury. The Jets call their wildcat formation "Seminole" because Washington lined up at quarterback, and was a Florida State Seminole.

On April 15, 2010 (the NFL free agent deadline), Washington signed his tendered contract with the Jets for one year, worth $1.759 million.

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

On April 24, 2010, Washington was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL draft.[8] He was assigned the number 33 on his new team; 29 went to first-round draft pick Earl Thomas. During the September 26, 2010, game against the San Diego Chargers, Washington set a Seahawks record with 2 kickoff return touchdowns. He returned the opening kickoff of the 2nd half for a team record 101 yards, then in the 4th quarter he ran 99 yards for his second kickoff touchdown of the game. On March 1, 2011, Washington signed a four-year deal worth $12.5 million to stay with the Seattle Seahawks. Due to the signing of wide receiver Percy Harvin, Leon Washington was released by the Seahawks on March 12, 2013.[9]

New England Patriots

[edit]

On March 14, 2013, Washington signed with the New England Patriots.[10] On September 1, 2013, Patriots released Leon Washington during final roster cuts. On September 7, the Patriots re-signed Washington.[11] On November 23, 2013, he was released.[12]

Tennessee Titans

[edit]

On November 26, 2013, Washington signed with the Tennessee Titans.[13][14]

Washington re-signed with the Titans to another one-year deal on March 12, 2014.[15]

Coaching career

[edit]

On March 11, 2019, the Lions hired Washington as WCF minority coaching assistantship/offense and special teams coach.[16]

On February 10, 2021, the New York Jets hired Washington as special teams assistant coach.[17] His contract was not renewed following the 2023 season.[18]

Records

[edit]

NFL records

[edit]

NY Jets franchise records

[edit]
  • Most career kickoff return touchdowns (4)[20]
  • Most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season: 3 (2007)[20]
  • Most all-purpose yards in a single season: 2,337 (2008)[20]

Seahawks franchise records

[edit]
  • Most career kickoff return touchdowns (4)[21]
  • Second longest kickoff return touchdown: 101 (2010 vs San Diego Chargers)[21]
  • Most kickoff return touchdowns in a single game: 2 (2010)[21]

Personal

[edit]

Washington's son is the half-brother of former Alabama CB Terrion Arnold. He is now an NFL prospect in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. Washington's 2006 Bowman "Signs of the Future" card with the Jets caused a great deal of controversy during the third week of November 2006, in which it appears that he is making an obscene gesture. The card sold on eBay during that time for more than four times its book value. Washington insists his gesture is a popular hand gesture among his friends in his hometown.[22]

Washington (at right, holding football) and other NFL players address parents during a question and answer session during the 2014 Leon Washington Football Camp, sponsored by the Leon Washington Foundation.

Washington established a charitable organization called the Leon Washington Foundation whose mission it is to assist low-income families in the Jacksonville, Florida area with education, sports, and life skills. The Foundation provides programs intended to enlighten, inspire, and educate underprivileged youths to live stronger, healthier, and more productive lives. A major annual event is the Leon Washington Football Camp, which provides a one-day, non-contact football clinic run by current and former NFL players and local volunteers free of charge to youth from Jacksonville and the surrounding region.[23]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Leon Washington

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Leon Washington (born August 29, 1982) is an coach and former professional player, best known for his nine-season career in the (NFL) as a versatile and . A native of , Washington excelled at Andrew Jackson High School, earning the title "Mr. Florida" in 2002, before playing at from 2002 to 2005, where he rushed for 2,041 yards—ranking 10th in program history—and scored touchdowns in five different ways, including leading the team in rushing during the . Washington was selected by the in the fourth round (117th overall) of the , beginning a professional career that spanned 126 games across four teams: the (2006–2009), (2010–2012), (2013), and (2013–2014). Over his playing tenure, he amassed 2,271 rushing yards on 487 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns, 1,286 receiving yards on 168 catches with four receiving touchdowns, and notably eight kick return touchdowns, while leading the in all-purpose yards (2,332) during the 2008 season. His explosive return abilities earned him two selections (2008, 2012), one First-Team honor (2008), and one Second-Team nod (2010). Transitioning to coaching after retiring as a player, Washington held internships and fellowships, including the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the and , and the William Clay Ford Minority Coaching Assistantship with the (2019–2020), before serving as a special teams assistant with the from 2021 to 2023. In 2024, he served as running backs coach and special teams coordinator at . In August 2025, he joined , an HBCU Division II program, as and quarterbacks coach, bringing his extensive experience to develop the Marauders' offense.

Early years

Upbringing and family

Leon Washington was born on August 29, 1982, in . He grew up as the fourth of six children in a working-class family on the east side of the city, primarily raised by his single mother, Diana Washington, who worked as a chambermaid. The family resided in a modest project neighborhood and apartment complex near Alltel Stadium, immersing young Washington in Jacksonville's vibrant football culture from an early age. Following his parents' separation, Washington lived at various times with his mother, his father Terrance , and his maternal grandmother, navigating a dynamic structure that emphasized resilience amid financial challenges, such as delayed utility payments that occasionally left the home without electricity. These socioeconomic pressures in the Eastside community shaped his early worldview, fostering a strong reinforced by extended family members, including his uncle George Mangrum, with whom he labored during summers laying concrete in the Florida heat to build physical endurance. Washington's initial exposure to sports came through informal neighborhood activities, where he earned a reputation as the fastest kid in his apartment complex. At around age 10, after winning a local footrace, he was scouted by community coach Sgt. John Mike and recruited to football, though he was initially hesitant due to his slight build—weighing about 75 pounds—and fear of physical contact. This early reluctance gave way to enthusiasm as his natural speed and instincts shone, laying the groundwork for his athletic development in a city where proximity to professional football games inspired local youth.

High school career

Leon Washington attended Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he developed into a standout athlete in football. During his senior year in 2001, Washington rushed for 2,437 yards and 28 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility as both a running back and return specialist. His dominant performance on both sides of the ball earned him significant recognition, including being named "Mr. Florida" in football and the Florida Times-Union Player of the Year. Washington's high school success drew attention from major college programs, leading to scholarship offers from universities such as Florida State and the . Ultimately, he committed to Florida State, signing a to continue his career at the collegiate level.

Pre-NFL career

College career

Leon Washington enrolled at in 2002, where he played for the Seminoles from his through senior seasons, concluding in 2005. As a true , he became the first since 1997 to rush for 100 yards in a game, achieving 104 yards against UAB. Over his four-year collegiate tenure, Washington amassed 2,041 rushing yards on 369 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt, with 12 rushing s—ranking 10th in program history. His contributions extended beyond rushing, as he also recorded 55 receptions for 481 yards and one receiving , demonstrating his utility in the Seminoles' offensive scheme. Washington's versatility was a hallmark of his college career, as he scored touchdowns through multiple means: rushing, receiving, punt return, kickoff return, and even fumble recovery. One punt return touchdown came in 2003, a kickoff return score in 2002, and a fumble return touchdown also in 2002, showcasing his explosive playmaking ability on special teams and in the backfield. A standout performance occurred in the 2005 Gator Bowl (concluding the 2004 season), where he rushed for a career-high 195 yards on 12 carries, including a 69-yard run, helping Florida State secure a 30-18 victory over West Virginia and earning him MVP honors. In recognition of his 2004 season, during which he led the team with 951 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, Washington was named to the All-ACC second team. His consistent production and multifaceted skills culminated in his selection by the in the fourth round, 117th overall, of the .

Professional playing career

New York Jets

Washington was selected by the in the fourth round (117th overall) of the out of . He signed a four-year, $2.039 million contract, including a $429,250 signing bonus, establishing him as a versatile and from the outset. In his rookie season of 2006, Washington appeared in all 16 games, rushing for 650 yards and four touchdowns on 151 carries while adding 270 receiving yards on 25 catches; he also contributed modestly on returns with 97 punt return yards and 79 kick return yards. His 2007 campaign marked a breakout year on special teams, where he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns—tying for the lead—alongside 1,291 kick return yards on 47 attempts, 353 rushing yards and three scores on 71 carries, and 213 receiving yards on 36 receptions. These efforts highlighted his explosive speed and elusiveness, totaling six touchdowns and underscoring his value as a multi-dimensional threat. Washington's 2008 season represented his pinnacle with the Jets, amassing 2,337 all-purpose yards—including 448 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 76 carries, 355 receiving yards and two scores on 47 catches, 303 punt return yards on 29 returns, and 1,231 kick return yards with one touchdown on 48 attempts—earning him his first selection and First-Team honors as a . However, his 2009 season was derailed by a severe injury; on October 25 against the , he suffered a compound fracture of his right and on a 6-yard run, requiring with a rod insertion and limiting him to just seven games, where he recorded 331 rushing yards on 72 carries and 131 receiving yards on 15 catches without scoring. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year, marking a significant setback in his Jets tenure. Following the 2009 season, the Jets traded Washington to the on April 24, 2010, in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, effectively ending his four-year stint with the team after 55 games, 1,932 rushing yards, and 11 total touchdowns.

Seattle Seahawks

Leon Washington was traded to the from the New York Jets on April 24, 2010, in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in the . In his debut season with Seattle, Washington quickly established himself as an elite , recording three kickoff return touchdowns, including a franchise-record two in a single game against the on September 26, 2010. He averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff return, ranking third in the , and became the first player in league history to score on three kick returns in two different seasons. These efforts earned him second-team All-Pro honors. On March 1, 2011, Washington signed a four-year contract extension with the Seahawks worth approximately $12.5 million, including $3.5 million in guaranteed money. During the 2011 season, his return production dipped, with no touchdowns and a longest kickoff return of 54 yards, though he still contributed 1,084 kickoff return yards and served as special teams captain. Over his first two years, Washington amassed 2,545 kickoff return yards and four touchdowns, setting a Seahawks single-season record with his 2010 output. Washington rebounded strongly in 2012, averaging 29.0 yards per kickoff return and scoring one , highlighted by an 83-yard return in the season opener against the that set up a . His performance earned him a selection as the NFC's kick returner. By the end of his Seahawks tenure, Washington held the franchise record for career return yards with 4,398 and tied the record with eight career kickoff return s. The Seahawks released Washington on March 12, 2013, as part of roster adjustments ahead of free agency.

New England Patriots

Washington signed a one-year contract with the as a on March 12, 2013, joining the team primarily as a following his tenure with the . The deal was valued at $1.2 million, including a $360,000 . During the 2013 preseason, Washington appeared in all four games, returning 10 kickoffs for 256 yards and five punts for 35 yards, but the Patriots released him on September 1 as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the 53-man roster on September 7 after generating interest from other teams. In the regular season, Washington appeared in the first two games, recording one rushing attempt for one yard on offense and returning three punts for 15 yards on special teams. His role remained focused on returns, building on his prior experience where he had excelled as a kick returner. Washington's stint was curtailed by injuries, particularly an ankle issue that sidelined him after Week 5; he was limited in practice and did not play in subsequent games. The Patriots released him again on , , amid his ongoing recovery. Over his brief time with the team, he accumulated minimal statistics, reflecting the injury-plagued nature of his 2013 season.

Tennessee Titans

Washington signed with the on November 26, 2013, midway through the season, to bolster their return game as a veteran special teams player. In his initial stint that year, he appeared in five games, primarily handling punt and kickoff returns, recording six punt returns for 78 yards and 16 kickoff returns for 481 yards, while not contributing on offense. The Titans re-signed Washington to a one-year contract on March 11, 2014, allowing him to continue in a similar utility role during the 2014 season. Over 16 games, he provided modest offensive support with 13 rushing attempts for 57 yards, 22 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns, alongside seven punt returns for 47 yards and 31 kickoff returns for 738 yards. His contributions highlighted a diminished but steady presence as a in the later stages of his career, drawing on experience from prior teams despite occasional injury setbacks. Following the 2014 season, Washington announced his retirement, concluding a nine-year career that began with the in 2006. Across his professional tenure, he amassed 2,271 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, complemented by 9,346 return yards and eight return touchdowns, establishing himself as a dynamic returner early on before transitioning to a veteran depth role.

Coaching career

NFL roles

Washington began his NFL coaching career in 2016 with an internship position on the Jacksonville Jaguars staff under head coach Gus Bradley. This opportunity allowed him to transition from playing to coaching, focusing on contributing to team operations during training camp. Through the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program, Washington gained further experience with the Jaguars in 2016 and the in 2018. These fellowships provided hands-on involvement in coaching duties, emphasizing diversity in leadership development. In Jacksonville, his role built on the internship's foundation, while in Atlanta, he assisted with player development, particularly in special teams strategies. In 2019, Washington joined the as part of the William Clay Ford Minority Coaching Assistantship program, serving as a minority coaching assistant focused on offense and special teams. He continued in this capacity through the 2020 season, contributing to the Lions' coaching staff under head coach by supporting offensive schemes and special teams preparation. Washington returned to the in 2021 as special teams assistant coach, a role that leveraged his four-year playing tenure with the team from 2006 to 2009. Under head coach , he worked on special teams units, aiding in training and coverage schemes until the end of the 2023 season. His contract was not renewed by the Jets in May 2024.

College roles

Following a year out of coaching in 2024, Leon Washington transitioned from his NFL coaching experience, where he had served as an assistant special teams coach for the from 2021 to 2023, to take on his first college-level role as running backs coach and special teams coordinator at NCAA Division II's in , in 2025. Under head coach , a former NFL teammate, Washington focused on developing the Saints' rushing attack and special teams units during his tenure. Washington's time at Limestone was cut short in April 2025 when the university announced the abrupt closure of its entire athletics program, including football, due to financial and institutional challenges, prompting him to enter the coaching job market. This development left Washington, who had joined the staff less than a year prior, seeking new opportunities to continue his coaching career at the collegiate level. By August 2025, Washington found his next role as and quarterbacks coach at , a historically Black college and university (HBCU) competing in the . His hiring was part of a broader staff revitalization effort under new Tony Carter, who was appointed in March 2025 to rebuild the Marauders' program, and included other NFL veterans such as wide receivers coach . In this elevated position, Washington is tasked with overseeing the offensive scheme, mentoring quarterbacks, and contributing to the program's aim of elevating its competitiveness within HBCU football.

Achievements

Awards and honors

During his senior year at High School in , Leon Washington was named Florida's Mr. Football in 2001, recognizing him as the state's top high school player and highlighting his versatility as a , , and , which foreshadowed his dynamic role as a in college and the . At , Washington earned second-team All-ACC honors as a in 2004, after rushing for 756 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. He capped his junior year by being named MVP of the 2005 (played January 1, 2005, concluding the 2004 season), where he rushed for a career-high 195 yards on 12 carries, including a 69-yard touchdown run, in Florida State's 30-18 victory over . In 2017, Washington was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In the NFL, Washington's excellence as a kick returner led to his selection to the Pro Bowl following the 2008 season with the New York Jets, where he led the league with 2,332 all-purpose yards and three kickoff return touchdowns. He received first-team All-Pro recognition that same year as a kick returner from the Associated Press. He was named the NFL Alumni Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008. Washington earned a second Pro Bowl nod after the 2012 season with the Seattle Seahawks, returning 41 kickoffs for 1,215 yards (29.6 average) and adding a touchdown. Additionally, he was named second-team All-Pro as a kick returner following the 2010 season with the Seattle Seahawks, after averaging 28.4 yards per return.

Records

Leon Washington established several franchise records during his tenure with the New York Jets as a premier . He holds the Jets' career record for most kickoff return touchdowns with 4. Additionally, he set the single-season franchise mark for kickoff return touchdowns with 3 in 2007. Washington also owns the Jets' record for most all-purpose yards in a single season, accumulating 2,332 yards in 2008, a performance that earned him selection. With the , Washington continued his record-setting prowess on returns. He shares the Seahawks' franchise record for most career kickoff return touchdowns with 4. In a standout 2010 performance against the , he tied the team single-game record by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, covering 99 and 101 yards. At the NFL level, Washington's return excellence contributed to league milestones in multi-purpose scoring. He ranks tied for second in NFL history for career kickoff return touchdowns with 8, shared with . In 2008, he led the entire league in all-purpose yards with 2,332, highlighting his versatility across rushing, receiving, and returns. Washington's career statistical overview underscores his impact as a alongside his offensive contributions:
CategoryAttempts/CarriesYardsTouchdowns
Rushing4872,27116
Receiving1681,2864
Punt Returns1811,7930
Kickoff Returns2927,5538

Personal life

Family

Leon Washington has a son, Leon Washington Jr., born on October 21, 2005, who is a for the Owls football team. Washington Jr. is the half-brother of Terrion Arnold, a selected 24th overall by the in the first round of the ; Arnold has credited his early exposure to professional football—starting at age five through his half-brother's father, Washington—for shaping his own athletic development. Washington also has other children, including Noel and Nolen. This shared family background in football, rooted in Washington's Jacksonville origins, has fostered a legacy of athletic pursuit across generations, with both his son and Arnold following paths influenced by Washington's career as a and .

Philanthropy

Following his NFL retirement, Leon Washington founded the Leon Washington Foundation in 2013 to support low-income families in his hometown of , by providing resources for education, sports, and life skills development. The organization focuses on empowering through accessible opportunities that promote personal growth and , reflecting Washington's commitment to giving back to underserved communities. Key programs of the foundation include its annual football camp, which brings together over 500 young participants for skill-building sessions, mentorship, and team-building activities led by Washington and other coaches. Additionally, the foundation hosts community events such as the Champions Weekend, featuring fundraisers like casino nights to generate support for its initiatives and foster family involvement in charitable causes. These efforts have helped sustain ongoing programs that address educational and athletic barriers for local children.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WashLe00.htm
  2. https://maraudersports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/leon-washington/496
  3. https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-hire-leon-washington-as-special-teams-assistant
  4. https://www.si.com/college/fsu/florida-state-seminoles-college-football/fsu-football-fan-favorite-joins-hbcu-coaching-staff-leon-washington
  5. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/9703/leon-washington
  6. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/sports/football/06jets.html
  7. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2009/11/15/stub-415/15966555007/
  8. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2010/08/26/jacksonville-native-leon-washington-learned-work-ethic-uncle-george/15933081007/
  9. https://seminoles.com/news/2004/5/24/bios-of-2004-fullbacks-and-tailbacks
  10. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2001/12/09/apopka-captures-6a-state-crown/
  11. https://247sports.com/article/leon-washington-received-an-athletic-scholarship-to-attend-florida-state-university-where-he-played-for-the-seminoles-from-2002-to-2005-washington-was-the-only-player-in-the-112508002/
  12. https://www.nolefan.org/summary/f2002.html
  13. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/leon-washington-1.html
  14. https://www.taxslayergatorbowl.com/about-us/history/hall-of-fame/
  15. https://www.nolefan.org/football/washington_leon.html
  16. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/4286/leon-washington
  17. https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-washington-ahead-of-rehab-schedule-expects-to-play-in-2010-09000d5d815af8c5
  18. https://50.seahawks.com/players/leon-washington
  19. https://www.nfl.com/news/seattle-s-washington-a-changed-man-after-fallout-from-injury-09000d5d81cfcd73
  20. https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story/_/id/6171050
  21. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/leon-washington-regains-2010-form-with-long-returns/
  22. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9044351/seattle-seahawks-cut-returner-leon-washington
  23. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-free-agent-rb-leon-washington-186721
  24. https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2013/09/patriots_re-sign_leon_washingt.html
  25. https://www.nfl.com/news/leon-washington-re-signs-with-new-england-patriots-0ap1000000239599
  26. https://www.espn.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/10025171/leon-washington-released-new-england-patriots
  27. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10041904/leon-washington-signs-tennessee-titans
  28. https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-agree-to-terms-with-kr-rb-leon-washington-12730059
  29. https://nypost.com/2021/02/10/leon-washington-joins-jets-coaching-staff/
  30. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/fsu-seminoles/2016/07/28/jacksonville-native-leon-washington-be/15718546007/
  31. https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/jacksonville-native-fsu-alum-washington-giving-back-to-his-hometown-team/77-301776373
  32. https://www.pro-football-history.com/coach/12811/leon-washington-bio
  33. https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-2019-coaching-staff
  34. https://nypost.com/2024/05/09/sports/ex-jets-star-leon-washington-loses-job-on-teams-coaching-staff/
  35. https://www.si.com/college/fsu/florida-state-seminoles-in-the-pros/former-florida-state-star-looking-new-coaching-job-limestone-university-closes-doors-leon-washington
  36. https://www.gaffneyledger.com/articles/limestone-adds-former-fsu-and-ny-jets-standout-to-coaching-staff/
  37. https://hbcugameday.com/2025/08/05/florida-state-legend-former-nfl-rb-joins-hbcu-staff/
  38. https://www.centralstate.edu/news/central-state-football-garners-national-spotlight-program-rises
  39. https://athlonsports.com/college/all-hbcu/big-news-as-nfl-veterans-join-hbcu-staff-at-central-state
  40. https://hbcusports.com/2025/08/06/division-ii-hbcu-adds-a-pair-of-nfl-veterans-to-football-coaching-staff/
  41. https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-football/story/2004-all-acc-football-selections-4109
  42. https://jacksonvillefreepress.com/gator-bowl-selects-leon-washington-as-hall-of-fame-inductee/
  43. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/allpro.htm
  44. https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/new-york-jets/leaders/career-kickreturns-touchdowns
  45. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/new-york-jets-player-most-kickoff-return-touchdowns-in-a-season
  46. https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/new-york-jets/leon-washington-coach-jets/
  47. https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/seattle-seahawks/leaders/career-kickreturns-touchdowns
  48. https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/7661/leon-washington-rewriting-record-books
  49. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_purpose_yds_single_season.htm
  50. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/kick_ret_td_career.htm
  51. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/9703/leon-washington
  52. https://fausports.com/sports/football/roster/leon-washington-jr/17199
  53. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/04/26/terrion-arnold-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-super-bowl-michael-jordan-moment/73466036007/
  54. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/sports/football/a-jet-and-his-son-find-their-stride-at-the-same-time.html
  55. https://dawgnation.com/football/recruiting/terrion-arnold/
  56. https://www.facebook.com/LWFoundation/community/
  57. https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2014/jul/02/nonprofit-news-leon-washington-foundation-rolling-dice-help-families/
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