Dallas City News

We are at day 37 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 37.

At this point in the countdown we wanted to mention a great number 37 for Dallas who made quite the name for himself as being a big-hitter, and that player is James Washington.

James McArthur Washington was born January 10, 1965 and drafted by Los Angeles Rams in the 1988 NFL Draft. He suffered an injury to his knee in his rookie year and then a quadricep injury the next year and was released in 1990. This is where his story in Dallas begins.

In 1991, Washington was appointed as the starting strong safety, but it was in 1992 that he truly established himself. He finished the year with three interceptions (the most on the team) and 95 total tackles (the third-highest). However, it was during the playoffs that Washington truly excelled. In the NFC Championship game against San Francisco, he made a crucial interception that contributed to the team’s victory. Then, in Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills, he intercepted a pass in the first quarter, leading to the first Cowboys touchdown and initiating a turnover spree, setting a Super Bowl record of nine turnovers.

In Super Bowl XVIII, Leon Lett caused a fumble with a tackle, which was then picked up by Washington and returned for a 46-yard touchdown, resulting in a tied game. Washington’s pivotal defensive plays ultimately contributed to Dallas winning consecutive Super Bowls.

Washington would end his career playing for Washington, and retired with 17 interceptions and 485 total tackles.