Tony Washington (offensive lineman)

Tony Washington (born February 17, 1986) is a gridiron football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1]

Tony Washington
Born: (1986-02-17) February 17, 1986 (age 38)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)Offensive lineman
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight318 lb (144 kg)
CollegeAbilene Christian
High schoolAlcée Fortier
Career history
As player
20102011Dallas Vigilantes
2011Calgary Stampeders
2012Allen Wranglers
20122013Toronto Argonauts
20142017Edmonton Eskimos
20172018Hamilton Tiger-Cats
20182021Montreal Alouettes
2022Edmonton Elks
Career highlights and awards
  • LSC Champion in 2008 with Abilene Christian University
2x Grey Cup champion (2012, 2015)
Career stats

Early life

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On May 9, 2003, Washington pleaded guilty to prohibitive sexual conduct after having consensual sex with his sister, Caylen. At the time, he was 16, and she was 15. Washington was processed as an adult and put in jail; he was released after one month. As a result of the charge, he is a registered sex offender.[2][3][4]

High school and college career

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Washington played one year of high school football as a junior while living in New Orleans. That year, he was awarded with all-league honors as a member of the Alcée Fortier High School football team.[5] His family moved to Texas after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. After graduating from high school, Washington did not plan to attend college. He decided to go to college, however, after a car salesman suggested he continue his football career. He then enrolled at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.[6] While at Trinity Valley, Washington was named to the 2007 all-Southwest Junior College Football Conference first team.

Washington then attended Abilene Christian University, playing on the football team for two years. Winning the LSC championship in 2008.Both years he was voted the Lone Star Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year.[5]

Professional career

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Though Washington excelled at the NFL Scouting Combine workouts he was undrafted.[1] He was very agile and quick for a lineman, running the 40-yard dash in 5.09 seconds.[5] After leaving school, Washington played for the Dallas Vigilantes of the Arena Football League (AFL) for two years before signing with the Calgary Stampeders in 2011. He was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League on July 4, 2012, where he won his first Grey Cup.[1]

Washington was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos from the Argos in May 2014. In his first three seasons in Edmonton he started in 48 games for the club, including the 2015 Grey Cup championship victory. Following the 2016 season Washington signed a contract extension with the Eskimos.[7] He was released by Edmonton on August 7, 2017,[8] and was immediately signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[9]

On July 22, 2018, Washington was traded with teammate Landon Rice to the Montreal Alouettes in the blockbuster Johnny Manziel deal.

Washington re-signed with the Alouettes on a one-year contract extension on December 16, 2020.[10]

The Edmonton Elks announced that they had traded for Washington on January 14, 2022.[11] He was released on December 1, 2022.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Cruickshank, Scott (June 19, 2011). "Controversial lineman grateful for second chance in Calgary". The National Post. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  2. ^ "The Mag Archives: When the NFL doesn't give second chances". ESPN.com. August 25, 2010.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Bob (August 24, 2012). "Toronto Argos lineman Tony Washington seeks to overcome sex offender stigma" – via Toronto Star.
  4. ^ Sullum, Jacob (July 2011). "Perverted Justice". Reason. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "Tony Washington, OT". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  6. ^ Glock, Allison (August 31, 2010). "Unforgiven". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  7. ^ "Eskimos sign OL Washington to extension - Article - TSN". TSN. December 14, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  8. ^ Campbell, Dave; Mertz, Emily. "Edmonton Eskimos release veteran Tony Washington". Global News. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  9. ^ Chidley, David (August 8, 2017). "Ticats Release Elliott, Kilgore; Sign Washington". CFL Enterprises. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  10. ^ "Adams Jr. restructures deal with Als; team retains WR Eugene Lewis". CFL.ca. December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "Elks acquire Tony Washington and Martese Jackson". Edmonton Elks. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "Decoud, Carter, Washington among Elks cuts". cfl.ca. December 1, 2022.
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