Former Washington State Cougar running back legend Duke Washington passed away Thursday night following a three week bout with pneumonia. He was 83 years old.
Washington came to Pullman in 1952 after an outstanding career at Pasco High School where many consider him to be the greatest running back to ever play for the Bulldogs. He played three seasons of football at Washington State earning All-Coast honors his senior year and spent one season playing professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1955.
But Washington is remembered for breaking down race barriers in college football as he was the first black man to play in Texas' Memorial Stadium in 1954 when the Cougars traveled to Austin to play the Longhorns.