Washington linebacker Richie Chambers (32), a Lake Stevens High School alum, rests on the bench during a game against Miami on Sept. 24, 1994, in Miami. Chambers forced a fumble on a sack and had an interception as the Huskies won 38-20 to snap the Hurricanes’ 58-game home winning streak. (University of Washington photo)

Washington linebacker Richie Chambers (32), a Lake Stevens High School alum, rests on the bench during a game against Miami on Sept. 24, 1994, in Miami. Chambers forced a fumble on a sack and had an interception as the Huskies won 38-20 to snap the Hurricanes’ 58-game home winning streak. (University of Washington photo)

Lake Stevens alum recalls role in ‘Whammy in Miami’

Richie Chambers, who played a big part in UW’s legendary upset, is set to enter the county Hall of Fame.

It’s known as the “Whammy in Miami.” It’s one of the greatest victories in University of Washington football history. And Richie Chambers played as big a role in it as anyone.

The University of Miami was riding a 58-game home winning streak, a stretch that spanned nine years and was the longest in NCAA history. But on Sept. 24, 1994, the Huskies went into the Orange Bowl and pulled off one of the most memorable wins in school history, blitzing the Hurricanes in the second half en route to a 38-20 triumph.

And Chambers was right in the middle of the maelstrom. The Lake Stevens native, then a senior linebacker, had one of the best games of his collegiate career, forcing a fumble on a sack and intercepting a pass to play a crucial role in the Huskies’ upset bid.

It was the pinnacle of a tremendous athletic career that’s now reached another milestone, as Chambers is part of the 2018 Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame class that’s being inducted Wednesday night at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at Angel of the Winds Arena.

“It’s a true honor for sure,” Chambers said about being inducted into the Hall of Fame. “You kind of progress through life and try to do the best you can in all facets of life, and in sports it’s an honor to be recognized as one of the very best in the area. I’m humbled.”

Chambers, a 1990 graduate of Lake Stevens High School, was a three-sport star during his years with the Vikings. He won both individual (190 pounds) and team state titles in wrestling as a junior, then claimed track and field state titles in the 110-meter and 300 hurdles as a senior. He was named The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Year in both 1989 and 1990.

But Chambers’ primary sport was always football. He came from a football family as his father, Richard, was a football player who played defensive end during his playing days. Chambers got started in football in the Lake Stevens youth system when he was 6 or 7 and was an immediate standout. That excellence extended into high school, where he was an All-Wesco performer on both offense at running back and defense at linebacker. His efforts earned him a football scholarship to Washington.

At Washington he played on the 1991 team that went undefeated and shared the national championship with Miami. Chambers, as a freshman, saw time in the Rose Bowl victory over Michigan, though he suffered a broken arm while trying to tackle Wolverines star Desmond Howard on special teams.

Chambers eased into the starting lineup at weak-side linebacker as a junior, then started the whole season as a senior. His senior year he finished with 73 tackles and 9.5 sacks, earning honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors.

“I never saw the guy rattled,” said David Kilpatrick, Chambers’ teammate and roommate at UW. “Being a middle linebacker I had a vantage point where I could look at all 10 guys’ faces and see if anyone was tired, or if they had big eyes because the moment was too big. But Richie was just unflappable. He was never rattled in any situation. It didn’t matter if it was Miami at Miami or Ohio State, he was always dialed in on the moment.”

Never was Chambers more dialed in than during Washington’s highest-profile games in 1994. First, he had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in the Huskies’ 25-16 victory over Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State at Husky Stadium. One week later was the “Whammy in Miami,” in which Chambers helped the Huskies overcome a 14-3 halftime deficit and outscore the Hurricanes 35-6 in the second half.

“It was something we were motivated and prepared to do, mostly to claim the soul of the 1991 championship that we should have had to ourselves,” Chambers said about the victory over the Hurricanes. “It was fun to go in there and play that game. That was my first time to Florida and I didn’t understand how hot and humid it would be, but once we started playing and got into the excitement of the game you quickly forgot about that.

“We didn’t have an inspirational speech at halftime or anything, we just made the adjustments we needed to make,” Chambers added. “For me what probably sparked the comeback was the long screen pass to Richard Thomas (which went for a 75-yard touchdown early in the second half). That got us going, we played into the momentum and never relinquished it.”

After college Chambers attempted to play football professionally, going to training camp with the CFL’s short-lived San Antonio Texans. However, during camp he decided that, given the nagging injuries he accrued through his football career, it wasn’t worth the risk to his long-term health. So he decided to hang up his cleats, and he has few regrets. He now lives in the Snohomish area, works in account management for a tech firm and coaches outside linebackers for the Inglemoor High School football team.

“I feel real good (about my athletic career),” Chambers said. “One of the things you always wonder about is how much more you could have done. But I’m super proud of the things I accomplished. I was a part of Lake Stevens’ first state championship team with the wrestling program, I won a national championship with the UW. It was fun to be part of winning traditions.”

If you have an idea for a community sports story, email Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mill Creek Little League softball players listen to former players talk about their experiences at regionals before the start of their practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Little League softball all-stars win state

The team will open the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday.

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.