After starring at Long Beach Poly, Gene Washington played under John Ralston at Stanford. He switched from quarterback to receiver after his sophomore year and led Stanford in receptions for his last two years, catching 71 passes for 1117 yards as a senior, with Jim Plunkett at quarterback. He was drafted in the first round in 1969 by the 49ers, and, with another former Stanford player, John Brodie, at quarterback, led the 49ers in receiving in three of his first five years. His best season was 1970, when he caught 52 passes for 1100 yards, a 20.8 average, as the 49ers won the Western Division.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Plaque location: SFO Gate 77