When your dad is the police chief, you probably have less room for error than the typical teenager.

When you're the starting free safety for Northwestern State's attacking Purple Swarm defense, responsible for calling the defensive signals for the nationally-ranked Demons, you have less room for error than the 10 teammates on the field with you.

So for Russ Washington, NSU's heady sophomore free safety, living up to a higher standard is nothing new.

His dad is the chief of police back home in La Marque, Texas. Being raised in a family environment that stressed disclipline and accountability was the ideal upbringing for young Washington, a sophomore who had 8 tackles and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown last week to help the 14th-ranked Demons top No. 24 Appalachian State 40-35 in a key intersectional Division I-AA football game.

When Russel Eugene Washington III stepped onto Northwestern's campus in August 20002, he brought with him a near perfect academic record and numerous football honors including All-District, All-Mainland, and All-County from his home in La Marque, along the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Washington also brought the values and ethics taught by his father, Russel Jr., who oversees nearly 40 full and part-time policemen in La Marque. His dad used the motto "no pass, no play," assuring that education was the top priority in the Washington household. In order to do what he enjoyed on the field, young Russ Washington had to stimulate his mind and focus on getting an education.

Leaving high school with a 3.9 grade point average and an athletic scholarship to attend NSU, he met his father's high standards.

"My father believes that any goal is attainable," Washington said. "If you work hard at what you want to achieve, any dream can come true."

Washington is majoring in electrical engineering and has maintained a 'B plus' average since starting school. He credits his position coach, secondary coach Jason Rollins, for guiding him through college.

"Coach Rollins has helped me transition into the college atmosphere. He gives me the encouragement to continue being successful," Washington said.

Rollins was a familiar face for Washington, who actually arrived at NSU a season before Rollins was hired. Rollins is a longtime family friend who coached Washington's younger brother at La Marque. He believes he is just continuing to preach the lessons taught by Washington's father.

"I just echo what his father preaches," Rollins said. "Academics come before sports. If you put effort into the classroom it carries over onto the field. They go hand in hand."

Washington keeps himself grounded by surrounding himself with "good people." Since being in school, he has begun to carry on his father's lessons by tutoring his fellow teammates.

"He and Bruce Woods (a junior safety) remind our players about the importance of education," Rollins said. "Russ preaches what he believes and the players respect him and his work ethic."

Washington has quickly emerged as a leader on the field as well. As a redshirt freshman, Washington earned the starting job at free safety, where he makes sure the other 10 players are in the right spots each snap. Being jolted into a leadership role gave Washington the opportunity to quickly gain maturity skills.

"Russ was thrown into a leadership position as a freshman. He is making the calls for the defense and it has made him mature beyond his years," Rollins said.

Last week Washington earned State Defensive Player of the Week honors voted by Louisiana Sports Writers Association. His stellar performance was highlighted by eight tackles with two for lost yardage, five solo stops, and three pass breakups in the 52-6 rout of Texas Southern as the Demons set school and Southland Conference records by holding the Tigers to minus 9 yards of total offense.

Washington is already looking at life beyond football and NSU. He would like to pursue architecture, focusing his talents on building skyscrapers and state-of-the-art stadiums. He would also like to take a shot in sports agency.

"I feel that I could identify with the athletes. I know what players are looking for and I would work to find a compromising result," Washington said.

Whatever life passes Washington's way he will be sure to tackle it with full force. The decisions will be his but he will have encouragement from his parents, three siblings, teammates and coaches.

"Russ can do whatever he wants in terms of a career or athletically," Rollins said. "He has always been a student first and that will be carried with him for life."