(East Los Angeles, CA/Lincoln Heights) November 7, 2021 [From The Editor’s Desk]: The L.A. Rams have tapped into a resonating vein of their historic past from 75 years ago when it comes to the reality of having signed Kenny S. Washington to a first-ever NFL contract, offered to the African-American football legend, one who was born and raised right here in the Lincoln Heights District in the City of Angels. That, along with the celebration of the 1oth Annual Kenny Washington Memorial game between his high school Alma Mater, Abraham Lincoln  and the visiting Franklin Panthers, are the story-lines we feature here. In keeping with their tremendous community outreach traditions, today’s Rams, with their convenient, state-of-the-art, So-Fi  location, partnered with the school and the Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation on this Special Night. We invite you to read our account coupled with the fantastic content shared with us by the Rams. 

The 6’3, 200 lb. powerful running back, led his Abraham Lincoln Tigers to an L.A. City High Schools Championship, and the following season to a CIF/State Championship highlighting his prep career. After graduating from Lincoln High, he earned a scholarship to attend the University of California at Los Angeles, (UCLA). 

But, let’s turn the clock back to the time when this young African-American football player put on a Lincoln High School Tigers’ uniform and went out to play on the present-day field that this era of Lincoln student-athletes have also played on for their careers.

Imagine that now, our dynamic time machine has stopped to let us exit in 2021, only to find that there will be a Special Celebration and Commemoration of Kenny’s eventual contract signing with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams in 1946.

And thus, through the eyes of the current Los Angeles Rams and its Legends program, let’s see what the present has to offer to an outstanding and iconic alumni and his family of its glorious past.

The following is the press announcement regarding the Rams special tribute to Kenny Washington.

Rams Celebrate 75th Anniversary of Kenny Washington Signing During Memorial Game at Lincoln High School

To celebrate Kenny Washington and his impact on the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL, the Rams supported the 10th Annual Kenny Washington Memorial Game that featured his Alma Mater, Lincoln High School vs. Franklin High School on October 22nd in East L.A. by providing each varsity team with “KW” helmet decals and rally-towels to fans in attendance.

To view the video highlights of the event as produced by the Los Angeles Rams Corporate Community Relations staff, and edited by East L.A. Sports Scene Productions, please click below.

During the half-time festivities, L.A. City Councilman Gil Cedillo, 1st District, and José P. Huerta, Superintendent, of the East District Leadership Team, presented $2 million each to the District with all funds targeted for the school’s Athletic Field Modernization account. The Kenny Washington Foundation President, Stephen Sarinana-Lampson, was also present.

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Additionally, Rams Legend, Wide Receiver/Aaron Cox, their 1988 NFL Draft, 1st Round Pick at #20, addressed the team and fans with pre-game remarks alongside Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders and mascot, #1 Rampage. During the halftime program, the Rams presented him with the “Pioneer Award” and Cox accepted that recognition on behalf of his former team.

The Rams also recognized the winning high school coach, Gabe Cotero from Lincoln, as the team’s “High School Coach of the Week“ and provided a $1,000.00 donation to benefit their football program.

(Historical Signing Background): In 1946, the Rams broke the color barrier in the NFL with the signings of two UCLA Bruin  standouts and L.A.-natives, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, the first black players to be signed by an NFL team in the modern era. Washington played for the Rams for three seasons and still holds the team’s 92-yard longest single game rushing record. Strode played for the Rams in 1946, and then left football to pursue acting. He starred in several films and eventually was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

On this special night of October 22, 2021, the Lincoln Tigers went on to handily defeat their CIF/L.A. City Section (LACS) Northern League rivals by the score of (52-34). By winning the Northern League title with an undefeated record of (10-0), they also earned the #4 seed in the upcoming CIF/L.A. City Section’s (8) Team”Open Division” and will play against the #5 seeded, Birmingham Patriots (5-5) on Friday, 11/12 at Lincoln at 7:00 pm.