One of the most dominant linemen in MU history, Russ Washington was the Big Eight Conference defensive player-of-the-year and a first team all-American in 1967. He was twice named all-Big Eight Conference and played in four all-star games following his senior season. He starred in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers from 1968-83. He was all-pro in 1979 and ’82 and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He won the Forrest Gregg Award as the NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1977. Washington had two brothers, Wayne and David, who later played on the offensive line for Missouri. Russ was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
