The Comeback: Former BSU quarterback trades helmet for a headset

BOWIE, Maryland -- Regarded as one of the best players in the area, senior quarterback Nyema Washington finished out his high school career at Suitland in 2012 with dreams of continued success collegiately at Bowie State University. Yet, things didn’t go as planned for the former Prince George’s County Player of the Year. A granuloma, a noncancerous inflammation in tissue, on the side of his brain, delayed the Capital Heights native’s first freshman game for the Bulldogs for three years.

Nevertheless, Washington persevered by recovering and trained relentlessly to get back into the starting lineup in 2015. The former two-time All-State standout at the time was converted into a wide receiver and didn’t get his chance to play until Nov. 17, 2015, against Virginia State University. Washington checked into the game and led an eight play, 48-yard drive, completing all his throws and a touchdown throw to seal the game with a 22-19 comeback victory.

The rest is history. Washington started every game at his true position and led the Bulldogs to their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship game appearance since 1989. Though his team fell to Winston-Salem State CUniversity 17-14, Washington won MVP honors, and it seemed that the best was yet to come from the gunslinger.

However, with triumph came tragedy. Coming into the following season, Washington was slated to be the day one starter until he suffered a severe knee injury during training camp shortly before the beginning of the 2016-2017 football campaign.

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