That was terrible - but not premeditated.
Kermit said he just saw someone running at him out of the corner of his eye and turned with a closed fist - and made contact with Rudy T's face, crumpling him to the floor.
Kermit was remorsful from day one, and was never the same dominant player he once was.
Of course, Rudy wasn't either.
Mcsorley was just a thug.
I have always empathized with Kermit Washington. It was a defensive reaction to what he saw coming at him. Most of the TV footage was slowed down and I think that was ‘cheap shot’ editing to make it look premeditated.
I’ve met Kermit Washington a couple of times. He’s really a mild-mannered guy. Didn’t ask him about the incident since it had happened many years prior and it would have been impolite to ask.
There was a fight between other players, Kermit was just standing there and Rudy T was running towards the fight, probably in an attempt to help break it up. In doing so, he happened to running right at Kermit Washington.
It was as much Rudy T running into his fist as it was Kermit swinging at him. It was just an unfortunate unintended event.