Hall of Fame
A standout defensive back during Morgan State’s golden era of football, Mark Henry Washington established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in Bears history before embarking on a distinguished professional career in the National Football League.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Washington attended John Marshall Harlan Career Academy before accepting a football scholarship to Morgan State University, where he played under legendary head coach Earl “Papa Bear” Banks. A four-year starter at cornerback, Washington was a key member of a Bears program that captured 31 consecutive victories, becoming one of the dominant teams in college football during the era.
Washington excelled throughout his Morgan State career, earning All-CIAA honors as a senior after recording six interceptions and serving as a team co-captain. He finished his collegiate career with 15 interceptions, leaving his mark as one of the premier defensive backs of his generation.
His outstanding career at Morgan State earned him induction into the Morgan State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
Washington was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 13th round of the 1970 NFL Draft and quickly demonstrated his versatility and explosive athleticism. As a rookie, he returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Washington and blocked an extra point in Super Bowl V. His 48.4-yard kickoff return average that season remains a Cowboys franchise record.
After battling injuries early in his career, Washington emerged as a valuable member of the Dallas secondary. He became the Cowboys’ starting left cornerback in 1975, starting all 14 games and recording four interceptions as Dallas advanced to Super Bowl X. He later stepped in at right cornerback during the 1976 season and led the team with four interceptions.
Washington's versatility continued to prove valuable during Dallas' championship run in 1977. In Super Bowl XII, he entered the game at cornerback after an injury to Benny Barnes and made a pivotal impact, recording an interception late in the second quarter as the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27–10 to capture the NFL championship.
Washington played nine seasons in the NFL, spending the majority of his career with Dallas before briefly joining the New England Patriots in 1979.
From Morgan State's legendary 31-game winning streak to the bright lights of multiple Super Bowls, Washington's career reflects the excellence and resilience that defined the Bears of the Earl Banks era. A Morgan State Athletic Hall of Famer, an NFL veteran and a Super Bowl champion, Washington remains part of the proud legacy of Morgan State football.
