Dewayne Washington
Dewayne Neron Washington (born December 27, 1972) is a former American football cornerback who played in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Kansas City Chiefs from 1994 to 2005. He grew up in Durham, North Carolina, and played high school football at Northern Durham, where he earned All-American honors in 1989. He played college football at NC State, where as a senior he led the team with four interceptions and had 66 tackles, serving as a co-captain.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Washington in the first round in 1994 (18th overall). He started all 16 games as a rookie, recording 75 tackles, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and earning defensive rookie of the year honors from College and Pro Football Weekly as well as All-Rookie recognition. He played for Minnesota through 1997, becoming a dependable player with several interceptions each season.
In 1998, Washington signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and had his best NFL season, with 93 tackles and five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns). He remained with the Steelers through 2003, helping the team win the AFC Central in 2001 and reach the conference championship. His 2002 and 2003 seasons saw fewer tackles but he continued to contribute in the secondary.
Washington joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004, recording two interceptions and 76 tackles. In 2005 he signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, mainly contributing on special teams. The Chiefs went 10–6 but missed the playoffs that year. Over his 12-year career, Washington totaled 807 tackles, 31 interceptions, 7 fumble recoveries, 85 passes defended, and 7 defensive touchdowns. He started all eight playoff games in which he appeared.
After retiring as a player, Washington became a coach. On May 11, 2015, he was named head football coach at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, North Carolina, making his coaching debut that August. He had previously been an assistant coach at Ravenscroft School, working with coaches including Torry Holt and Willie Parker. He resigned in January 2018 to focus on family and business.
Washington has stayed active in his community. He has worked on real estate projects in Durham, started the Carolina Skills Academy, and served on the Durham YMCA Board, NC State Alumni Board, and other organizations, including 100 Black Men of America and Pop Warner football. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Adama, a NC State graduate, and their three children.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:20 (CET).