Rod Woodson facts for kids
Woodson in 2019
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| Position: | Cornerback, safety | ||||||||||
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| Born: | March 10, 1965 Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | R. Nelson Snider (Fort Wayne, Indiana) |
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| College: | Purdue (1983–1986) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10 | ||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Roderick Kevin Woodson (born March 10, 1965) is a famous American former football player. He played for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Many people think he is one of the best cornerbacks ever.
Woodson holds NFL records for fumble recoveries by a defensive player (32). He also has the most interceptions returned for a touchdown (12). In 1993, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
He played college football at Purdue. He was recognized as an All-American in 1986. The Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft. He played his first 10 years with them.
Later, he was a key player for the Baltimore Ravens when they won Super Bowl XXXV. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. His 71 career interceptions are the third-most in NFL history. He was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2016, he joined the College Football Hall of Fame. He started his career as a cornerback and later became a safety. Most recently, Woodson was a head coach for the XFL's Vegas Vipers.
After retiring from playing in 2003, Woodson worked as a football analyst. He was on NFL Network and Big Ten Network. He also coached for the Raiders in 2011. Later, he worked as an analyst for college and NFL games. In 2022, he became a radio commentator for the Baltimore Ravens.
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College Football Career
Rod Woodson went to Purdue University on a football scholarship. He wanted to study electrical engineering. He played mostly as a cornerback and returned kicks. Sometimes, he also played as a running back or wide receiver.
He was named an All-American cornerback in 1985 and 1986. He was also an All-American returner in 1986. He was chosen for the All-Big Ten first team three times.
In his last college game, Woodson had over 150 combined yards from running and catching. He also made ten tackles and forced a fumble. This helped Purdue win against their rival, Indiana.
Woodson set 13 records at Purdue. He tied the school record with 11 career interceptions. He returned these for 276 yards and three touchdowns. He is still among the top players for career interceptions and kickoff return yards. In 2003, he was inducted into the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
In 2014, fans voted him onto "The Mount Rushmore of Purdue Football." He was honored alongside other great players like Drew Brees and Bob Griese. In 2016, he was chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame.
Track and Field Achievements
Woodson was also a great track and field athlete at Purdue. He earned All-America honors twice. He finished second in the 55-meter hurdles in 1985. He was third in the 55-meter hurdles in 1987.
Woodson held the NCAA 60-meter hurdles record for 10 years. He still holds Purdue's school records in the 60 and 110-meter hurdles. He won five Big Ten championships. In 1984, he qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 110-meter hurdles. However, he chose to continue his football career after college. He graduated from Purdue with a degree in criminal justice.
Professional Football Career
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked Rod Woodson in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft. He was the 10th player chosen overall. The Steelers wanted him to improve their defense.
Playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Woodson missed part of his first training camp due to contract talks. He was also a world-class hurdler and ran track in Europe during this time. He had the fourth fastest 110-meter hurdle time in the world.
In October 1987, Woodson signed a four-year contract with the Steelers. He made his NFL debut in November 1987. In his first season, he played in eight games. He also returned kicks and punts. In November 1987, he got his first career interception. He returned it for a 45-yard touchdown.
In 1988, Woodson became a starting cornerback. He also continued returning kicks and punts. In October 1988, he returned a kick for a 92-yard touchdown. This was his first kick return touchdown. He played in all 16 games that year. He had 88 tackles and four interceptions.
In 1989, Woodson continued as a starting cornerback. He returned another kickoff for an 84-yard touchdown. He helped the Steelers reach the playoffs. They won their first playoff game against the Houston Oilers.
In 1990, Woodson returned a punt for a 52-yard touchdown. This was his first punt return touchdown. He played in all 16 games and had five interceptions. He was voted first-team All-Pro that year.
In 1991, he continued to play well. He recorded his first solo sack on a quarterback. In 1992, the Steelers got a new head coach, Bill Cowher. Woodson started the season with two interceptions in the first game. He also returned a punt for an 80-yard touchdown. He had a career-high six sacks that year. He was chosen for the 1993 Pro Bowl.
In 1993, Woodson signed a new contract, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL. He had a fantastic season, with a career-high eight interceptions. He returned one for a 63-yard touchdown. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1994, Woodson continued to excel. He returned an interception for a 37-yard touchdown. He finished the season with four interceptions and three sacks.
In 1995, Woodson suffered a serious knee injury (torn ACL) early in the season. Many thought his season was over. However, he made an amazing comeback. He returned to play in Super Bowl XXX after only 19 weeks. This was a very fast recovery for such an injury.
In 1996, Woodson played in all 16 games. He had six interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. This was his last season with the Steelers.
Time with the San Francisco 49ers
In 1997, Woodson joined the San Francisco 49ers. In his second game, he had a career-high three interceptions. He played in 14 games that season. The 49ers had a great record, winning 13 games. They reached the NFC Championship Game.
Playing for the Baltimore Ravens
In 1998, Woodson signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He quickly made an impact. In his second game, he had two interceptions and returned one for a 60-yard touchdown. He had another interception return for a touchdown later that season. He finished with six interceptions and two touchdowns.
In 1999, the Ravens moved Woodson to free safety. This helped him use his experience to guide the younger players. He led the league with seven interceptions that year. He returned two of them for touchdowns.
In 2000, Woodson continued as a starting safety. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV. He had four interceptions and two forced fumbles that season. In the Super Bowl, the Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34–7.
In 2001, Woodson remained a key player for the Ravens. He had three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. The Ravens made it to the playoffs again.
Final Seasons with the Oakland Raiders
In 2002, Woodson joined the Oakland Raiders. He continued to play as a starting free safety. He had another amazing season, leading the league with eight interceptions. He returned two of these for touchdowns, including a 98-yard return. He was selected for the 2002 Pro Bowl.
The Raiders reached Super Bowl XXXVII that season. They lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2003, Woodson played in 10 games before a knee injury ended his season. He retired from playing football in 2004.
NFL Records and Achievements
Rod Woodson played 17 seasons in the NFL. He had 71 interceptions, which is the third-most in NFL history. He also returned 12 interceptions for touchdowns, which is an NFL record. He recovered 32 fumbles, a record for defensive players.
He scored a total of 17 touchdowns in his career. These came from interceptions, fumbles, kick returns, and punt returns.
Woodson was chosen for the Pro Bowl 11 times. This is a record for his position. He was also the first player to be selected for the Pro Bowl at three different positions: cornerback, safety, and kick returner. In 1993, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a 7-time All-Pro selection.
In 1994, he was named to the National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. He was one of only five active players on that team. In 2009, Woodson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Rod Woodson became a coach. He coached defense at Valley Christian Senior High in Dublin, California. He also coached the women's Varsity Basketball team there.
In 2011, the Oakland Raiders hired Woodson as their cornerbacks coach. He later returned to the Raiders in 2015 as an assistant defensive backs coach. In 2017, he was promoted to cornerbacks coach.
In 2022, Woodson was announced as one of the head coaches for the XFL in 2023. He coached the Vegas Vipers. After one season, he and the Vipers decided to part ways.
Personal Life
Rod Woodson was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was the youngest of three brothers. His father was African American, and his mother was of German descent. He grew up in Fort Wayne and attended R. Nelson Snider High School.
From 1994 to 2008, Woodson held an annual youth football camp. It was called the Rod Woodson Youth Week. This camp helped kids learn football skills and the importance of education. Current and former NFL players mentored the children.
Woodson is a Christian. He lives in Pleasanton, California with his wife, Nikki. They married in 1992 and have five children.
