By Leonard Haynes IV.
The Blue Bears football team departed the remote Salisbury campus in the early A.M. on Friday, October 22, on their way to the hometown of Michael "His Airness" Jordan in Wilmington, North Carolina. It would be there, at the Sportsman's Classic that Ronnie Washburn would hope to continue his assault on the all-time Livingstone College sack record (13) set in 1990 by Reggie Miller. The closer Washburn gets to Miller's record, the closer he will get to fulfill his dream to play in the National Football League. By all accounts, the 6'4, 275-pound Shelby, NC native will be getting his shot at a "phat" paycheck very soon. Washburn, Livingstone's senior defensive end, currently leads the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in sacks (9), tackles for losses (20) and has already been recognized by many as one of the premier defensive linemen in Division II football. Washburn, a.k.a. The Last Action Hero, spent a considerable amount of time in opponent's backfields last season helping the Blue Bears to a second consecutive CIAA title. In addition, he was selected as the 1998 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year. This year the Eddie Robinson Player of the Year candidate, 1999, has seen his Blue Bear team struggle with consistency under the direction of a new head coach and new personnel. Despite the team's difficulties, Washburn is still a top leader in defensive statistics wreaking havoc throughout the CIAA. Washburn's size (470 lbs bench press), speed (4.8 for the 40), and determination have earned him a special spot on the Blue Bear's offense, mostly for short running plays. So far this season he has rushed for 2 TD's on 2 carries and had a tremendous key block to help spring another touchdown in a game against cross-town rival Johnson C. Smith University. Along with the success of past Blue Bear's, Wilmont Perry (New Orleans Saints) and Ben Coates (New England Patriots), Ronnie Washburn has been able to capture the attention of NFL scouts. Various camps are inquiring about picking up the 26-year old hulk for a defensive line position, following his graduation in May 2000. Washburn is definitely not your average ball player yearning to play professional football. In 1995, he withdrew from Gardner-Webb University in order to help support his mother and four siblings. Washburn made the decision to return to academics and a football career in 1998 when approached by defensive line Coach Artis Smith. With a football scholarship in hand, Ronnie Washburn became a dominant member of the 1998 CIAA Champion Blue Bear team. On a clear autumn day, the Blue Bear team buses pulled up in front of Wilmington's Legion Field shortly after noon. Washburn stepped off the bus into a soft Carolina breeze, with the anticipation of edging closer to the school sack record against the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. Livingstone would go on to lose a heartbreaker to the Vikings 34-33 that afternoon. Washburn was unable to collect a sack, however, like usual, he made his impact felt by recording 8 tackles (4 for losses of 20 yards). If Washburn is unable to break Miller's record by the end of the season, it'll be disappointing for him, however he hopes to one day get plenty of sacks…on Sundays…For A Living.