Cornerback/Security: 2006-12
Faculty: Michigan, 1995-97
Inducted Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame: 2021
NFL All-Decade Group: 2000s
Related Press NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr: 2009
Related Press All-Professional Group (chosen since 1940): 2009, ’11
Professional Bowl Choice (performed from 1950-2022): 2008, ’09, ’10, ’11
Charles Woodson began his NFL profession as a can’t-miss prospect with the Oakland Raiders, nevertheless it took a rebirth in Inexperienced Bay eight years later to seal his future as a Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer.
It was in Inexperienced Bay, the place Woodson gained a Tremendous Bowl, earned Related Press Defensive Participant of the Yr honors, made 4 extra Professional Bowls and picked off 38 of his 65 profession interceptions.
It additionally was with the Packers that Woodson was free to completely exploit his uncommon abilities by lining up as a roving, off-the-ball defender and never only a back-to-the-ball, cowl nook.
Following the Packers’ 2010 Tremendous Bowl season, secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. famous how Woodson had been used as a spy in opposition to Philadelphia’s electrifying operating quarterback Michael Vick; assigned to cowl receivers as totally different as Detroit’s towering speedster Calvin Johnson and New England’s undersized and shifty Wes Welker; and fill gaps in opposition to greater, explosive backs within the operating recreation.
“What different cornerback can do this?” requested Whitt. “There’s just one. Calling Charles a cornerback is limiting as a result of he is a unique breed.”
As the primary predominantly defensive participant to win the Heisman Trophy, however one who additionally was a big-play risk on punt and kickoff returns and in spot obligation as a receiver, Woodson was the fourth total alternative within the 1998 NFL Draft after leaving Michigan following his junior 12 months.
In his first professional season, Woodson was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Yr, shared the Raiders’ staff lead with 5 interceptions and was chosen to the Professional Bowl. By the top of his fourth season, he was a four-time Professional Bowl alternative, had earned AP All-Professional honors as soon as together with being second-team one other 12 months, and had intercepted 11 passes.
On the identical time, the Raiders after not making the playoffs for six straight years – their longest drought since their begin as an underfinanced constitution member of the American Soccer League in 1960 – had reaped rewards from his influence, compiling a 22-10 document over the 2000 and 2001 seasons and scoring a postseason victory in every. Then in 2002, they completed 11-5 and misplaced within the Tremendous Bowl.
Nevertheless, over the second half of his first stint with the Raiders, Woodson was shut out of particular person honors. Principally, he was hamstrung by accidents. Though he was nonetheless thought-about one of many prime cornerbacks within the league when the Raiders gained the AFC title in 2002, he missed eight video games with shoulder and leg accidents earlier than returning for his or her three playoff video games.
By the point Woodson grew to become a free agent following the 2005 season, his profession was clearly at a crossroads. In all, he had missed 22 video games over his closing 4 seasons in Oakland, whereas his interceptions dwindled from 11 over his first 4 to 6 over the following 4.
Then got here Woodson’s seven years in Inexperienced Bay.
The transition did not begin properly. Having obtained lukewarm curiosity from just one different NFL staff, Tampa Bay, throughout his practically two months on the free agent market, Woodson reluctantly signed with the Packers. “I did not need to come right here, actually, is what it boils all the way down to,” Woodson later admitted. “However Inexperienced Bay was the one staff that got here knocking.”
In essence, then common supervisor Ted Thompson needed to outbid solely a restricted variety of suitors and the cash talked. However virtually instantly after coaching camp began in late July, a less-than-thrilled Woodson discovered himself at loggerheads with coach Mike McCarthy, sometimes leading to animated discussions on the sphere instantly after follow.
“A variety of these talks after follow weren’t essentially good talks,” McCarthy later admitted. “However we talked by way of them; we met a pair instances in non-public and tried to speak by way of issues.”
Simply as defensive finish Reggie White, essentially the most impactful of the Packers’ earlier free brokers, had a breakout efficiency in opposition to Denver within the fifth recreation in 1993, his first season with the staff, Woodson had his in opposition to Miami within the sixth recreation in 2006.
In a 34-24 victory over the Dolphins, Woodson scored on a game-turning, 23-yard interception return within the first minute of the second half, registered his first sack of the season and compelled a fumble.
At season’s finish, Woodson had eight interceptions, tied for essentially the most within the NFC, and 12 turnover performs, essentially the most by a Packer since security LeRoy Butler in 1993.
Six years into his seven-year keep in Inexperienced Bay, Woodson had twice been named AP All-Professional and was a second-team alternative in two different seasons. He had twice led the NFL in interceptions, sharing the respect with others, and broke the Packers’ document for many defensive touchdowns with 10. He additionally pressured 15 fumbles and registered 11½ sacks.
What made a few of these numbers doable was when in 2009 first-year defensive coordinator Dom Capers primarily turned Woodson right into a one-man, undercover spy – somebody who may line up virtually wherever in any bundle and on any given play. Thereafter, Woodson was stationed as a nook, a security, within the slot, as a linebacker and even someplace alongside the road of scrimmage.
Mainly, he lined up wherever he may elevate havoc and wound up turning into a defensive playmaker like few others within the historical past of the NFL.
“Charles dominated in a means I by no means noticed anyone dominate earlier than,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated following Woodson’s retirement. “The 2009 season, one of many biggest seasons I’ve ever seen, what he did on protection, impacting the sport, I’ve by no means seen a participant influence the sport that means.”
“I’d undoubtedly, for my part, categorize him as a generational participant,” echoed McCarthy.
What’s extra, Woodson emerged as a staff chief as evidenced by his inspirational locker-room speech following the Packers’ 2010 NFC Championship Sport victory in Chicago that served as a springboard to profitable Tremendous Bowl XLV.
“He is been our chief,” defensive sort out Ryan Pickett stated of Woodson. “His messages have been on level. He has been extra of a vocal chief. He’s usually quiet, however he is been talking out. Simply letting all people know, man, that is exhausting, that is uncommon.”
“He was an important chief for us at a time once we wanted that kind of management, and he took us to a particular place,” added Rodgers.
When the Packers launched Woodson after the 2012 season, he returned to the Raiders and performed three extra years. In all, he performed 18 seasons within the NFL. With Inexperienced Bay, Woodson performed in and began 100 video games. He additionally performed in 10 extra within the postseason and began 9.
Born Oct. 7, 1976, in Fremont, Ohio. Given identify Charles C. Woodson.
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