On the Wave: Washington Plays Football, Bass in the Pocket

Note: This story originally appeared in the Oct. 21 edition of Green Wave Illustrated for the Tulane vs. USF football game.

Eldrick Washington III loves to make big hits on the football field. And when his football career is done, he hopes to make big hits in the recording studio.

A redshirt senior defensive lineman for the Green Wave, Washington's first love in life was music. He's a multi-talented musician who can play the piano and drums, but his specialty is the bass guitar.

As much joy as he gets out of playing on the football field at Tulane, he may enjoy his career as a bassist more.

"You're able to express yourself," Washington said of playing music. "Just the feeling of hearing notes come together and make a beautiful sound. You're able to touch people. If I play a certain line and I see somebody tap their foot, then I know I've got their attention."

While he didn't put on football pads until seventh grade, the Harvey, La., native has been living his passion for music since age 3.

His father, Eldrick Washington Jr., was his biggest influence early on. Also a musician, the elder Washington played bass in high school. The younger Eldrick followed his father's footsteps into music and got his first drum set when he was 3. It was tiny and made for children – "nothing you could beat too hard on," he said – but it started him on a lifelong path in music.

Four years later, Washington got the best Christmas present of his life: His first real drum set. He was always asking for gifts related to his music, and that new Pacific brand drum set was his focus for the next three years.

"I was so into it and I wanted to be a drummer at that time," Washington said. "Drums were all I cared about. That made me happy. I would practice almost every day."

At age 10, Washington decided to follow his father once more and learn to play bass. His father practiced with him, his skills improved, and he's been concentrating on bass ever since. Older gospel bands and musicians were his favorite then. Stanley Clark, George Duke and Victor Wooten were just a few of the talented people whose style he admired and emulated as he learned.

As he got older and more capable, churches and other groups recognized his talents and brought him out to perform. He started doing more shows at churches and transitioned to playing at New Orleans clubs.

At Tulane, his teammates know all about his musical talents. Several have even come to see him play at clubs on Frenchman Street or at Jazz Fest. At clubs, he can be heard playing anything from gospel and R&B to modern pop music covers. He's even taken on rock and country.

His musical career also helps him on the football field, and vice versa. When he's learning a new song, he goes over it again and again, breaking the song down into parts to learn each piece before combining it into a whole. In football, Washington and his teammates spend hours in the film room breaking down plays frame by frame, rewinding constantly to absorb everything they can from repeat viewings.

Besides the act of practicing, other life skills translate easily between music and football.

"Being able to listen and pay attention, being coachable," Washington said. "In a band you've got to be the type of guy who's able to accept criticism. Coaches have to be able to trust you."

He's hoping people can see him play bass for years to come. Washington has already graduated from Tulane with his degree in Health & Wellness, and once this football season ends he wants to try to make it to the NFL. When his football career eventually comes to an end, he hopes his star keeps rising in the music world.

Washington once dreamed of playing bass for Michael Jackson. With that no longer an option, he wants to tour the world as a bassist for a major musical act, someone akin to Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake or Jay-Z. He pictures sold-out shows with screaming fans. He pictures producing music as well, creating songs of his own and sharing that music with the world.

"I still want to take my shot at the NFL, but music is always going to be there no matter what," Washington said. "I'm going to focus on that and see where it takes me."

On the Wave: Washington Plays Football, Bass in the Pocket

Players Mentioned

Eldrick Washington

Footer

Tulane University Athletics