Charles Woodson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Charles Woodson

Woodson with the Oakland Raiders in 2014
No. 24, 21
Position:	Cornerback Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1976-10-07) October 7, 1976 (age 48) Fremont, Ohio, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Ross (Fremont, Ohio)
College:	Michigan (1995–1997)
NFL Draft:	1998 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Career history
Oakland Raiders (1998) Green Bay Packers (2006) Oakland Raiders (2013)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLV) NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2009) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998) 4× First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2009, 2011) 4× Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2008, 2010, 2015) 9× Pro Bowl (1998–2001, 2008–2011, 2015) 2× NFL interceptions leader (2009, 2011) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team PFWA All-Rookie Team (1998) Art Rooney Award (2015) Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame NCAA national champion (1997) Heisman Trophy (1997) Walter Camp Award (1997) Bronko Nagurski Trophy (1997) Chuck Bednarik Award (1997) Jim Thorpe Award (1997) Jack Tatum Trophy (1997) SN Player of the Year (1997) Chic Harley Award (1997) Unanimous All-American (1997) First-team All-American (1996) Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year (1998) Big Ten Most Valuable Player (1997) Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1997) 3× First-team All-Big Ten (1995, 1996, 1997) Big Ten Freshman of the Year (1995) Most consecutive seasons with an interception returned for touchdown: 6 (2006–2011)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 1,120 Interceptions: 65 Interception yards: 966 Pass deflections: 155 Forced fumbles: 33 Fumble recoveries: 18 Sacks: 20 Defensive touchdowns: 13
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Charles Cameron Woodson (born October 7, 1976) is a famous American former football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. He was a star player for both the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers.

Woodson started his career as a cornerback, a defensive player who covers receivers. Later, he switched to safety, another key defensive role. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. There, he was chosen for the All-Big Ten team three times. He also earned All-American honors twice.

In 1997, during his junior year, he helped his team win a national championship. That same year, he made history by becoming the first defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. This award goes to the most outstanding player in college football.

The Raiders picked Woodson fourth overall in the 1998 NFL draft. He quickly became a top player, earning Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. After eight seasons with the Raiders, he joined the Packers. With the Packers, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2009. He also won Super Bowl XLV with them.

Woodson is known as one of the NFL's most awarded players. He is tied for the most defensive touchdowns and ranks high in interceptions. He is also one of the few players to play in a Pro Bowl in three different decades. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2021, he joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Football

Charles Woodson was born in Fremont, Ohio. He was a star athlete at Ross High School. In his senior year, he was named Ohio's "Mr. Football."

He set school records for rushing yards (3,861) and scoring (466 points). During his senior season, he gained over 2,000 rushing yards. He also scored 230 points. Many colleges wanted him as a running back. However, the University of Michigan wanted him as a defensive back. Besides football, Woodson played basketball and ran track.

College Football Career

Woodson went to 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. He played cornerback, returned punts, and sometimes played as a wide receiver.

Freshman Year Highlights

In 1995, Woodson was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also chosen for the All-Big Ten First-team. He led his team with five interceptions. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player.

Sophomore Year Achievements

In 1996, Woodson set a Michigan record with 15 pass breakups. A pass breakup is when a defensive player stops a pass from reaching its target. He was named an AP First-team All-American. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back.

Winning the Heisman Trophy

In 1997, his junior year, Woodson won the Heisman Trophy. He was the third Michigan player to win this award. He was the first and only defensive player to win it. Woodson led the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season. They also won a share of the national championship that year.

Woodson was famous for making big plays in important games. As a freshman, he had two interceptions against the #2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. In his Heisman-winning year, he made an amazing one-handed interception against the Michigan State Spartans. He had two interceptions in that game.

Against Ohio State, he returned a punt for a touchdown. He also made an interception in the end zone. He had a 37-yard catch that led to Michigan's only offensive touchdown. This win helped Michigan reach the Rose Bowl. Michigan won the Rose Bowl, helping them win the 1997 national championship. Woodson finished his college career with 16 interceptions.

Professional Football Career

Woodson decided to join the NFL draft after his junior year. The Oakland Raiders picked him fourth overall in the 1998 draft.

Early NFL Success with Raiders

After his first season in 1998, Woodson was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He started all 16 games, which was rare for a rookie. He had 64 tackles and five interceptions. He returned one interception for a touchdown. He was also chosen for his first Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL.

In 1999, Woodson scored another touchdown on an interception return. He was selected for his second Pro Bowl. He also earned All-Pro honors, meaning he was recognized as one of the best players at his position. In 2000, he had a career-high 79 tackles and four interceptions. He earned his third Pro Bowl nomination.

In 2001, Woodson played in every game for the fourth year in a row. He was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. He also started returning punts for the first time in the NFL.

First Super Bowl Appearance

In 2002, Woodson faced his first major injury. He had a shoulder injury and later a cracked bone in his leg. Despite injuries, he played in Super Bowl XXXVII with the Raiders. He even recorded an interception in the game, but his team lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After the Super Bowl loss, the Raiders had a tough 2003 season. Woodson stayed healthy for most of the season. He played in 13 games in 2004 before another leg injury. In 2005, he broke his leg in the sixth week, ending his season early.

Joining the Green Bay Packers

Woodson (21) and Nick Barnett

In 2006, Woodson signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers. He later said he didn't want to go to Green Bay at first. But he was glad he did, praising the team and city.

In the 2006 season, Woodson stayed healthy. He led the National Football Conference with eight interceptions. He returned one interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. He also became the team's starting punt returner.

In 2007, Woodson returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. He also had an interception. In 2008, he recorded two interceptions in one game, returning one for a touchdown. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Month for September. He earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection, his first with the Packers.

Defensive Player of the Year Season (2009)

Woodson had an amazing 2009 season. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month three times. This was a rare achievement for a defensive player. In one game, he had a sack, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He was the first NFL player to do all three in one game.

On Thanksgiving 2009, he had seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and two interceptions. He returned one interception for a touchdown. He also covered star receiver Calvin Johnson very well. For his outstanding play, Woodson won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. He earned his sixth Pro Bowl selection.

Woodson had more interceptions and touchdowns with the Packers than he did with the Raiders. He set a Packers record for most defensive touchdowns. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

Super Bowl Champion (2010)

Woodson in 2011

In 2010, Woodson signed a contract extension with the Packers. He had two interceptions and five forced fumbles that season. He was chosen for his seventh Pro Bowl. He was also a co-captain for the Packers' defense.

Woodson played a big role in the Packers' playoff wins. He helped them reach Super Bowl XLV. In the Super Bowl, he broke his collarbone while defending a pass. Even with his injury, an emotional Woodson gave a speech to his teammates at halftime. Watching from the sidelines, he cheered his team to a 31–25 victory. This was his first and only Super Bowl championship.

After the Super Bowl win, the Packers visited the White House. President Barack Obama had joked that he wouldn't watch the Packers play. Woodson had sent Obama a jersey saying, "See you at the White House!" When they met, Obama joked about Woodson's message. Woodson then gave Obama a certificate saying he was a minority owner of the Packers.

Final Years in Green Bay

Woodson covering Randy Moss.

In 2011, Woodson intercepted Cam Newton. This was the fourth time he intercepted a pass from another Heisman Trophy winner. He also joined the "50-interception club." He finished the season with seven interceptions and earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection.

In 2012, Woodson took on a new role as a safety. He recorded his 55th career interception. However, he broke his collarbone again in October. He missed nine games but 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 Oakland and Retirement

Woodson with the Oakland Raiders in 2014

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 with 13. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his game. He played in almost every defensive play that season.

In 2014, Woodson again earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the season with 111 tackles and four interceptions. In 2015, he signed another contract to return to the Raiders. He moved to the strong safety position. This made him one of the few players to play all three positions in the defensive secondary.

Before a game against the Denver Broncos, Woodson said he wanted to intercept a pass from Peyton Manning. He did just that, picking off Manning twice! On December 21, Woodson announced he would retire at the end of the season. His final NFL game was on January 3, 2016. He finished his last season with five interceptions and was named to the Pro Bowl.

Woodson in a game against the Denver Broncos in 2015

After retiring, Woodson joined ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown as an analyst. Later, he moved to Fox Sports to cover college football.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Records and Achievements

NFL Records

• Most career defensive touchdowns: 13 (Tied with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper)

Oakland Raiders Records

• Franchise career leader in forced fumbles: 18
• Franchise career leader in defended passes/pass deflections: 84

Green Bay Packers Records

• Interceptions returned for a touchdown: 9
• Defensive touchdowns: 10

Personal Life

Charles Woodson is married to April Dixon Woodson. They have two sons together.

Woodson is also known for his charity work. In 2009, he gave $2 million to the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for research. He also has his own charity, the Charles Woodson Foundation, which helps fight breast cancer. In 2012, he donated $100,000 to help people affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Woodson once playfully challenged then-President Barack Obama. Obama supported the Packers' rivals, the Chicago Bears. Woodson said if the President wouldn't watch them win the Super Bowl, they would go to the White House. The Packers won, and they did visit the White House! Woodson later publicly supported Obama during his re-election campaign.

See also

In Spanish: Charles Woodson para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
• List of the Raiders franchise's first-round draft picks
• List of National Football League annual interceptions leaders