Updated Mar 12, 2013 - 11:21 pm
Seahawks release returner Leon Washington
RENTON – The smile disappeared from John Schneider's face as the subject went from Percy Harvin to one of the players he's replacing.
"We have a very special place in our hearts for him," the Seahawks' general manager said of kick returner and fan favorite Leon Washington, who was released by the team Tuesday after three seasons in Seattle.
 "He did a phenomenal job here, fans love him, he's such a pro," Seahawks general manager John Schneider said of kick returner Leon Washington, who was released by the team Tuesday. (AP) |
"He did a phenomenal job here, fans love him, he's such a pro," Schneider said. "He really handled himself with extreme class with Pete [Carroll] and I when we talked to him, and understood what we were doing."
Washington, 30, was coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he averaged a career-high 29 yards per kickoff return. He was due to make $1.5 million in base salary and another $1 million in a roster bonus, money the Seahawks apparently didn't want to pay after signing Harvin to a deal reportedly worth $67 million over six years.
Carroll said Harvin will return kickoffs for the Seahawks, though it wasn't clear whether or not that will be on a full-time basis.
Washington, meanwhile, will be looking for a new team.
"Seattle It's Been Awesome A Ride, Got Nothing Bad 2 Say About The Gr8 NW #12thMan StandUp!!! Like always... #LetsGetIt," Washington tweeted.
If anyone knows how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL, it's Washington.
He was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner with the Jets in 2008 and the following year sustained a gruesome leg injury that threatened to end his career. A draft-day trade in 2010 sent Washington to the Seahawks, and in his first season in Seattle he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns – including two during a memorable win over San Diego at CenturyLink Field.
That comeback season endeared Washington to Seahawks fans and earned him a four-year contract extension.
Washington tied the NFL record for most career kickoffs returned for touchdowns during a November loss to Miami. And in another reminder of how cruel the NFL can be, even another Pro Bowl season wasn't enough for Washington to keep his job.
"We'll miss him," Schneider said. "But he understands what we're doing."
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.
-
Hawkin wrote...LeonMarch 12, 2013 9:46 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Daddy Dennis wrote...From Where I SitMarch 12, 2013 11:42 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Mike17Will wrote...I think you might be...March 13, 2013 7:35 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
RWIII wrote...Sammie Lee Hill to visit the TitansMarch 13, 2013 7:48 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Daddy Dennis wrote...MikeMarch 13, 2013 2:28 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Truhawk wrote...This is a money thingMarch 13, 2013 8:35 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Peggy Fischer wrote...Thank you, LeonMarch 13, 2013 7:41 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
M's fan since 1980 wrote...This doesn't make sense to meMarch 13, 2013 9:58 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Rangerhawk wrote...All I can say isMarch 14, 2013 3:23 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Daddy Dennis wrote...Oh no, not the Patriots...March 14, 2013 9:55 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
Brady Henderson became the editor of 710Sports.com in June of 2010 after covering high school sports for The Seattle Times. A Seattle native, he graduated from Western Washington University in 2008 with a degree in journalism. 
