Kelley Washington

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=New England Patriots
|width=
Caption=
country=USA
currentnumber=15
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|8|21
birthplace=Stephens City, Virginia
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=218
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Cincinnati Bengals
college=Tennessee
draftyear=2003
draftround=3
draftpick=65
pastteams=
* Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2006)
* New England Patriots (2007-Present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=72
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=893
statlabel3=Touchdowns
statvalue3=9
nfl=WAS400893

James Kelley Washington (born August 21, 1979 in Stephens City, Virginia) is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the first pick of the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee. Washington is perhaps best known for his distinctive touchdown celebration, "The Squirrel."

High school years

Washington attended Sherando High School 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 led his team to the Virginia Class 2A State Championship game and was an All-State selection.

Minor League Baseball career

He was taken in the 10th round of the June 1997 baseball draft by the Florida Marlins and signed as a shortstop. Washington spent four years in the minors, often rooming with current star pitcher Josh Beckett.

College career

Washington only played one full season at the University of Tennessee, catching 70 passes for 1080 yards and 7 TDs as a 22-year-old freshman in 2001 he entered the NFL draft after his sophomore season and had 93 catches for 1523 yards and 8 TDs in his 2 years at Tennessee. He was an Arts and sciences major.

Pro career

2003-2006

Washington was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round (65th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Washington mainly played in 3 wide receiver sets as the third receiver and played in a total of 44 games for the Bengals and recorded 72 receptions for 893 yards and 9 touchdowns.

2007-2008

On March 11, 2007, Washington agreed to a five year deal with the Patriots, 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. [ [http://tsn.ca/nfl/news_story/?ID=199939&hubname= New England signs WR Kelley Washington] ] While Washington has not been used as a wide receiver by the Patriots, he has 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. [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/02/patriots_releas.html Patriots release TE Kyle Brady] ]

References