Jet Setter Leon Washington Leads New York Jets By Example

(Photo by Jarrett Baker/Getty Images)

When the Jets traded coach Herm Edwards in 2006, the Chiefs' fourth-round draft pick seemed like decent compensation.

Few could have guessed what that pick would become—one of the Jets' most explosive players in recent history.

It's three seasons later and Edwards is merely a memory in Kansas City.

In New York, Leon Washington is just starting to hit his stride.

With a Pro-Bowl appearance for kick returns already to his credit, the future looks even brighter for the young star from Jacksonville, Florida. We sat down with this week's Jet Setter and talked about his career, his life outside of football, and what he expects to accomplish in this season and in those that follow.

The Past

1. You won the Florida Mr. Football Award for being the state's best high school player. With previous winners including Daunte Culpepper and Anquan Boldin, what kind of expectations did people have for you in college?
2. What were some of the football lessons you learned at Florida State that helped you make it as a pro?
3. Many young players in the NFL have been getting into trouble with their off-season actions when they return to their hometowns. In what ways do you maintain your positive persona and avoid potentially harmful situations? How has your new-found fame made this more difficult?

The Career So Far

1. Describe what you felt after being named the Jets MVP in 2007 by your teammates.
2. What is your relationship with Thomas Jones? Would you say it is more passive or more competitive in nature?
3. Would you rather be selected to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner or a running back, and why?
4. In what ways have you used your size to your advantage? Have you ever felt the need to be bigger? Why or why not?
5. Tell us what it was like having Brett Favre in the locker room.
6. You were a special teams captain in 2008. How would you define being a leader?

The Future

1. It seems that you can always come up with a big play when the team needs one. Aside from your current roles, what other ways can you see yourself being used to help the team in the future?
2. What are your expectations and goals—for yourself, and for the team—for this season and beyond?
3. What are three words that you hope fans use to describe you?
4. Every team has their own traditions and history. What does continuing to be a Jet mean to you?

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