Quick Facts
Biography
John David Washington (born July 28, 1984) is an American actor and former American football running back. He played college football at Morehouse and signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Professionally, Washington spent four years as the running back for the United Football League's California franchise, staying with the team through its entire history.
After the UFL's failure, Washington shifted to an acting career like his father, Denzel. He is best known for his role in the HBO comedy series Ballers.
Early years
Washington was born in the Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, the son of actor Denzel Washington and actress Pauletta Washington (née Pearson). At the age of nine, he appeared as a student in a Harlem classroom in the 1992 feature film Malcolm X, which starred his father in the title role.
Washington attended Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles and was a student and a letterman in football, basketball, and track.
College career
At Morehouse College, Washington set a school-record with 1,198 yards with a 5.6-yard average and nine touchdowns, and added ten receptions for 69 yards his senior year. He also holds the school's single-game (242 yards) and career (3,699 yards) leading rushing records.
Washington led the conference in rushing in 2005. He was named National Player of the Week by D2Football.com in the same year.
Professional football career
St. Louis Rams
After going undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, Washington was signed by the St. Louis Rams on May 1, 2006 as an undrafted free agent. Washington was released by the Rams on August 31. Three days later, the Rams re-signed him to their practice squad.
NFL Europa
Washington played in NFL Europa for the Rhein Fire in the 2007 offseason.
California Redwoods / Sacramento Mountain Lions
Washington was drafted by the California Redwoods (later the Sacramento Mountain Lions) of the United Football League in the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009. He signed with the team on August 18. Washington stayed with the team after that and returned for his fourth season with the Mountain Lions in 2012, until the league abruptly folded that October.
Acting career
Since 2015, Washington has starred as Ricky Jerret in the HBO comedy series Ballers.