Many of us have been fortunate to have our jersey number retired by our high school, college or even by our NFL club. It is a high honor indeed.
Nate Washington, an 11-year veteran who originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2005 and was in Pittsburgh for four seasons, also played with the Titans and Texans during an 11-year (2005-15) career.
Washington recently learned that his collegiate number 85 will be retired by his alma mater Tiffin University. He had set eight school records as a wide receiver during his four seasons there. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Washington also understands there is a special significance to this retirement.
“Tiffin University is home to me,” the 40-year-old Toledo (OH) native recently tweeted. “Being told my number would be the very FIRST in school history to be retired brought me to tears. Receiving good news unexpectedly is a joy. I have to give a special thank-you to school President (Lillian) Schumacher for this honor.”
Tiffin is a private, four-year university founded in 1888 in Tiffin (OH), which is located 55 miles southeast of Toledo. The school has a 3,000 student enrollment and competes on the Division II level. Dr. Schumacher has been school president since 2016.
“We are proud to have you as our alumnus,” Dr Schumacher recently wrote Washington, “and are proud to honor your legacy. Please know how important it is to retire your number. No one could wear number 85 as you did.”
Washington has stayed close to his Ohio roots by staging summer football camps and participating in many community initiatives in Toledo since his NFL retirement. The two Super Bowl rings he earned with the Steelers always impress his young campers and serve as effective door-openers when he is raising funds for non-profit organizations.
We at NFL Alumni salute our brother Nate Washington. We congratulate him for this Tiffin University honor and also for his work in the community.
