OAKLAND — When Ellijah Washington, dressed in a crisp purple and white Castlemont jacket and Oregon State hat, signed his name on the dotted line, he was doing more than officially committing to the Pac- 12 Wednesday evening.
He was keeping a promise he made to his father – and coach – Ed Washington before starting his freshman year at Oakland Public Schools.
After Ed drove his older son to different private schools, with the possibility of attending one of them, Ellijah decided he wanted to prove that a kid from East Oakland could transfer from a public school local to a major college football team.
“This shows it can be done,” Ellijah Washington told the Bay Area News Group. “A lot of people thought it wasn’t possible.”
At some schools, signing ceremonies for major college programs are the norm.
Not in Castlemont. Washington is the first East Oakland high school student-athlete in recent memory to commit to a college of the caliber of Oregon State.
“The grit and the work in Castlemont, there’s nothing like it,” Washington said. “Coming here taught me a lot and I don’t think I would have gotten this experience at any other school. So this evening is really something special for me.
Ed had tears of joy in his eyes as he watched Ellijah speak to her now former teammates gathered in the Castlemont media center after the ceremony.
“Oh man, I’m crying and stuff,” Ed said. “I’m just happy and I’m happy that everyone came out to support him. This is crucial because we want to set an example for other children.”
While Ed wore a Letterman jacket identical to his son’s, Ellijah’s mother, Jasmine Washington, was decked out in a bright orange Oregon State shirt.
“We are so excited for Ellijah and are just thrilled that he set his goal and then achieved his goal,” Jasmine said. “He has a great head on his shoulders and we believe he is more than capable of carrying out the task at hand.”
The all-Oakland Athletic League wide receiver will graduate from high school early and begin taking college classes in early January.
Ellijah’s great uncle, Ron Muhammad, gestured to the room full of family and friends while imploring the young man not to forget his roots.
“When you go there, you represent more than just yourself,” Muhammad said. “Young blood, you have a huge opportunity.”
