James Washington Takes the Helm as President of Rose Bowl Institute

The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation announced Tuesday that UCLA alum James Washington is the new President of the Rose Bowl Institute.

Washington, a celebrated athlete with two Super Bowl victories under his belt, brings a wealth of experience and local roots to his new position, the Foundation’s statement said.

“James Washington’s appointment heralds an exciting new chapter for the Rose Bowl Institute,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. “His exceptional background and dedication as a mentor align seamlessly with the Institute’s mission to inspire and empower our future leaders.” 

Washington played at the Rose Bowl as a UCLA Bruin when he was an All-American safety under Head Coach Terry Donahue, and played in a Rose Bowl Game and Super Bowl XXVII as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to winning back-to-back Super Bowls as the captain of the Cowboys’ defense, Washington also suited up for the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins during his eight-year career in the NFL. 

As a Bruin, Washington won two Pac-10 Conference championships and four bowl games before graduating in 1987 with a degree in History. In 1993, Washington founded Shelter 37, Inc. was founded by Washington in 1993 as a not-for-profit public benefit corporation that provides quality after-school enrichment and life skills programs in Southern California.

The Rose Bowl Institute, a subsidiary of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, is a non-profit entity dedicated to preserving and enhancing the esteemed Rose Bowl Stadium as a National Historic Landmark. Its primary objective revolves around championing sportsmanship and utilizing the power of sports to foster unity among people globally. 

The Institute is expanding its Athletes in Schools initiative this year up to 2024, where prominent sports figures engage directly with high school students nationwide on themes of sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship.

“The Rose Bowl Institute is the right organization at the right time to address the fundamental values of sport relevant to our generation today,” Washington said in accepting the appointment. “Through Sportsmanship, Civic Literacy, and Leadership, we can make a difference and create an impact on our youth and society at large.”

At the Rose Bowl Institute, he follows founding President Charlie Firestone, who oversaw the Institute’s inception and the implementation of impactful programs benefiting thousands of youth across the United States. 

“Working with the Rose Bowl team to champion the application of positive sports values to civil society has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Firestone said. “The Institute has a strong foundation and James Washington is the right person to take it to even greater heights.”  

The Rose Bowl Foundation said Washington worked closely with Firestone throughout the transition.

To learn more about the Rose Bowl Institute, visit https://rosebowlinstitute.org/.