By Darin What if one of the greatest players in University of Washington history had never set foot on the Seattle campus? In 1961, Rick Redman was packed and ready for Notre Dame, fulfilling a childhood promise made on the day his father passed away. But a last-minute change of heart—and a visionary look toward his future—kept the All-American linebacker and guard in the Pacific Northwest. From a Rose Bowl run to a Hall of Fame career, discover how Redman became the versatile “iron man” of the Huskies and a legend of the San Diego Chargers.
Football Bio
March 7, 1943 – Portland, Oregon – The two-way player at guard and linebacker from the University of Washington from 1962 to 1964, Rick Redman was born. An interesting little tidbit on the University of Washington’s Tyee Club website was that, as a youth, Redman had his heart set on attending a different school altogether. The Tyee Club’s website tells this story: “Twelve-year-old Rick Redman committed his heart to playing football at Notre Dame on the day his father died, the same day the pair had watched his dad’s beloved Fighting Irish on television. Six years later, he followed his head to the UW for a business degree and one of the most successful football careers in school history.
- When Rick graduated from Seattle’s Bishop Blanchet High School in 1961, he’d already accepted Notre Dame’s scholarship offer. Then, his stepfather — John Sellen, founder of Sellen Construction — asked him to consider Washington, “and all the relationships and connections I could make for my future if I stayed here.”
- “I’d been to games and practices and had been recruited by the Huskies, but I’d never been on upper campus. I didn’t know anything about the school,” Rick explains.
- One phone call to a coach and one campus tour later, Rick became a Husky.”
An intriguing path to the Husky program, indeed, but one that everyone in the great northwestern corner of the US is glad he took!
One of Rick’s strongest gridiron attributes was his versatility. He was a great blocker, but he also had the mobility and range to play linebacker, and he also took on the chore of punting for his team, according to the NFF. His junior season in 1963 began with some adversity, as Washington lost three straight to start the season. The resolve of the team and Redman then shone as they turned their fortunes around and rattled off six wins in their last seven games, taking the conference title and even earning a trip to the Rose Bowl.
Redman was named all-conference guard three times, All-American guard twice, and Academic All-American once. The National Football Foundation panel of experts selected Rick Redman’s collegiate career worthy of display at the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Rick then followed his college career with nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers in the NFL. After hanging up his helmet for the last time, he took over his stepfather’s construction business, using those UW contacts and connections that had been promised to him so long ago.
Conclusion
Rick Redman’s story is a powerful reminder that the best path isn’t always the one we initially envisioned. By choosing the University of Washington, Redman didn’t just secure a legendary football legacy—he built a foundation for his entire life. His transition from a three-way collegiate star (guard, linebacker, and punter) to a cornerstone of the San Diego Chargers defense proved his elite athleticism. Today, he stands as a testament to the “Husky for Life” mantra, having successfully parlayed his gridiron connections into a thriving business career in the very city where he became a star.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1995.
- 2× First-Team All-American: (1963, 1964).
- 3× All-Conference Selection: Named All-AAWU Guard (1962, 1963, 1964).
- Academic All-American: Recognized for excellence in the classroom.
- Rose Bowl Participant: Led the Huskies to the 1964 Rose Bowl.
- Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame: Inductee.
- AFL All-Star: Selected as an AFL All-Star in 1967 with the San Diego Chargers.
- 9-Season Pro Career: Played 121 games for the Chargers (1965–1973).
- Husky Hall of Fame: Charter member of the University of Washington’s athletic honors.
