1896 Washington football team

The 1896 Washington football team was an American football team that represented the University of Washington during the 1896 college football season. In its second season under coach Ralph Nichols, the team compiled a 2–3 record and was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 40 to 20. Jack Lindsay was the team captain.

Background history
By the first week of October, practice had resumed for the University of Washington football team. Head coach Ralph Nichols put the team through its paces, assisted by team captain Jack Lindsay, a halfback in 1895 projected as fullback in 1896. Professor Van der Veer was placed in charge of physical training, centered around running on the school's track.

"The uniform will be purple and gold stripes in both the sweater and the stockings," a contemporary news report noted.

The team captain for 1895, a center named Harris, did not return for the 1896 season.