Charles Woodson facts for kids
Woodson with the Oakland Raiders in 2014
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| Born: | October 7, 1976 Fremont, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
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| High school: | Ross (Fremont) | ||||||||||||||||
| College: | Michigan (1995–1997) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1998 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4 | ||||||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Charles Cameron Woodson (born October 7, 1976) is a former professional football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Woodson played for the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers. He started as a cornerback and later played as a safety.
Woodson played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He was chosen for the All-Big Ten team three times. He also earned All-American honors twice. In 1997, he helped his team win a national championship. He also became the first defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. This award goes to the best college football player.
The Raiders picked Woodson fourth overall in the 1998 NFL draft. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in his first four seasons. He also earned two first-team All-Pro honors. After eight seasons with the Raiders, Woodson joined the Packers. There, he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He also won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers. He returned to the Raiders for his last three seasons.
Charles Woodson is one of the most celebrated players in NFL history. He is tied for the most defensive touchdowns ever. He is also tied for the fifth-most interceptions. Woodson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. He joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2025, he became a part-owner of the Cleveland Browns.
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Early Life and High School Football
Charles Woodson was born in Fremont, Ohio. He attended Ross High School. As a senior, he was named Ohio's "Mr. Football". He set school records for rushing yards and points scored. In his senior year, he was a USA Today All-America selection. He also played basketball and competed in track and field.
College Football Career
Woodson played college football at the University of Michigan. He played for the Wolverines from 1995 to 1997. He became a starter early in his freshman year. He played in 34 games in a row. Besides playing cornerback, he also returned punts. Sometimes, he even played as a wide receiver.
Freshman Year Success
In 1995, Woodson was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also selected for the All-Big Ten First-team. He led his team with five interceptions. He also had eight total takeaways (interceptions or fumbles recovered).
Sophomore Year Achievements
In 1996, Woodson set a Michigan record. He had 15 pass breakups in one season. He was named the Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned AP First-team All-American honors. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. This award goes to the best defensive back in college football.
Winning the Heisman Trophy
In 1997, Woodson made history. He became the third Michigan player to win the Heisman Trophy. He was the first defensive player to ever win this important award. Woodson helped the Michigan Wolverines have a perfect season. They also won a share of the national championship that year.
Woodson also won several other awards in 1997. These included the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player. He was named to the All-Big Ten first-team for the third year. He also won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Woodson finished his college career with 18 interceptions. This is the second-most in Michigan football history. He was known for making big plays in important games. For example, as a freshman, he had two interceptions against the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. In his Heisman-winning year, he made an amazing one-handed interception against the Michigan State Spartans.
Against Ohio State, he returned a punt for a touchdown. He also had an interception in the end zone. He even had a long catch on Michigan's only offensive touchdown drive. This win helped Michigan reach the Rose Bowl. In the Rose Bowl, Woodson had another end-zone interception. This helped Michigan defeat the Washington State Cougars and win the 1997 national championship.
Professional Football Career
Joining the Oakland Raiders
Woodson decided to enter the NFL draft after his junior year. The Oakland Raiders selected him as the fourth overall pick in the 1998 draft.
Early NFL Success
After his first season in 1998, Woodson was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He started all sixteen games, which was rare for a rookie. He had 64 tackles and five interceptions. He returned one interception for a touchdown. Woodson was chosen for his first Pro Bowl.
In 1999, Woodson had his first career catch. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished the season with 61 tackles. He was selected for his second Pro Bowl.
In 2000, Woodson played in all sixteen games. He had a career-high 79 tackles and four interceptions. He earned his third straight Pro Bowl nomination.
In 2001, Woodson played in every game for the fourth year in a row. He had two sacks and one interception. He also started returning punts for the first time in the NFL. He was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl.
First Super Bowl Appearance
In 2002, Woodson suffered his first major injury in the NFL. He missed eight games due to a shoulder injury. He also missed the last three regular season games with a leg injury. Despite injuries, Woodson played in the 2003 NFL Playoffs. He started in Super Bowl XXXVII. In the Super Bowl, he recorded an interception, but his team lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After the Super Bowl loss, the Raiders had a tough 2003 season. Woodson stayed healthy and played in fifteen games. His contract was ending, but he agreed to a one-year deal with the Raiders. He played the first 13 games of the 2004 season before a leg injury sidelined him. He finished with 73 tackles and one interception.
In 2005, Woodson started six games. He broke his leg in the sixth week and missed the rest of the season. He finished with 30 tackles and one interception.
Playing for the Green Bay Packers
Career Comeback
On April 26, 2006, Woodson signed a seven-year contract with the Green Bay Packers. Woodson later said he didn't want to go to Green Bay at first. However, the Packers were the only team to offer him a contract. He has since praised the Packers organization and the people of Wisconsin.
In the 2006 season, Woodson stayed healthy. He led the National Football Conference with eight interceptions. This was his most interceptions in a single season at the time. He also returned one interception for a touchdown. He was used as the team's starting punt returner.
In 2007, Woodson returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. This helped the Packers win against the Washington Redskins. He also had an interception in that game. He was named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week. Later, he had a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown to secure a win.
In 2008, Woodson recorded two interceptions against the Detroit Lions. He returned one for a touchdown. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Month for September. He was also chosen for his fifth Pro Bowl, his first with the Packers. He finished the season with seven interceptions and two touchdowns.
2009: Defensive Player of the Year
Woodson was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September 2009. In November, he had an amazing game against the Dallas Cowboys. He recorded nine tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He was the first player in NFL history to have a sack, two forced fumbles, and an interception in one game.
On Thanksgiving 2009, Woodson had another great game against the Detroit Lions. He had seven tackles, a sack, and two interceptions. He returned one interception for a touchdown. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week again.
Woodson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December 2009. He is the only defensive player to win this award three times in one season. For his outstanding play in 2009, Woodson was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with nine interceptions and three touchdowns.
Woodson had more interceptions in his first four years with the Packers than in his eight years with the Raiders. He also had more touchdowns and sacks with the Packers. He holds the Packers' record for most defensive touchdowns. He earned his sixth Pro Bowl selection. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2000s.
2010: Super Bowl Champion
In 2010, Woodson signed a two-year contract extension with the Packers. He recorded two interceptions and five forced fumbles. He was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl as a starting cornerback. This was his seventh Pro Bowl selection. Woodson was a co-captain for the Packers' defense during the playoffs.
He played a key role in playoff victories against the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Chicago Bears. He then started against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. During the Super Bowl, Woodson broke his collarbone while defending a pass. An emotional Woodson gave a speech to his teammates at halftime. He watched from the sidelines as his team won 31–25. This was his only championship title.
After the Super Bowl win, the Packers visited the White House. President Barack Obama joked about Woodson's earlier challenge. Woodson responded by giving Obama a certificate. It stated that Obama was a minority owner of the Packers.
Final Years in Green Bay
In 2011, Woodson intercepted Cam Newton. This was the fourth time he intercepted a pass from a fellow Heisman Trophy winner. He joined the 50-interception club when he picked off Kyle Orton. This was his eleventh career interception return for a touchdown. He finished the season with seven interceptions and one touchdown. He earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection.
Woodson started the 2012 season in a new role as a safety. He recorded his 55th career interception. He suffered another broken collarbone in October and missed nine games. He returned for the playoffs. The Packers won their first playoff game but lost the next.
On February 15, 2013, the Packers released Woodson.
Return to the Oakland Raiders
Coming Home and Retirement
On May 21, 2013, Woodson signed a one-year deal to return to the Oakland Raiders. In October, he tied the NFL record for most defensive touchdowns. He scored his 13th defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He played almost every defensive play that season. He had 97 tackles, two sacks, and one interception.
In 2014, Woodson earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors again. He finished the season with 111 tackles and four interceptions.
In 2015, Woodson returned to the Raiders for his final season. He moved to strong safety. This made him one of the few players to play all three positions in the secondary. He intercepted Peyton Manning twice in one game. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. On December 21, Woodson announced he would retire at the end of the season. He played his final NFL game on January 3, 2016. He finished his last season with 74 tackles and five interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl in his final season.
After retiring, Woodson joined ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown as an analyst. In 2018, he moved to Fox Sports to cover college football.
Personal Life
Charles Woodson enjoys wine. He developed his interest while playing in Oakland, near the Napa Valley. He partnered with a winemaker to create his own wine label, "Twentyfour by Charles Woodson".
Woodson is married to April Dixon Woodson. They have two sons.
In 2009, Woodson donated $2 million to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. This donation supported pediatric research. Woodson also has his own charity, the Charles Woodson Foundation. It supports the fight against breast cancer. In 2012, Woodson donated $100,000 to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
In 2025, Woodson became a part-owner of the Cleveland Browns.
See also
In Spanish: Charles Woodson para niños
