Charles Woodson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Woodson's journey began at Ross High School in Fremont, Ohio, where he set records for rushing yards (3,861) and scoring (466 points). While all colleges recruited him as a running back, Michigan took a chance on him as a cornerback. As a junior in 1997, he led the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a share of the national championship. That same year, he became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, receiving 282 more voting points than runner-up Peyton Manning. In the Rose Bowl against Washington State, he recorded a crucial endzone interception to secure the title. His college career was marked by big moments, including a famous acrobatic one-handed sideline interception against Michigan State and two interceptions in victories over Ohio State.

In Their Own Story

Selected fourth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, Woodson immediately became a force for the Raiders. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year after starting all sixteen games, recording five interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. His early years saw him named to four consecutive Pro Bowls. In 2002, despite suffering a shoulder injury that caused eight games of inactivity and a cracked fibula that ended his regular season early, he started every playoff game, including Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he recorded an interception in a loss.

Reader's Guide

Woodson's professional path included a pivotal trade to the Green Bay Packers in 2006 on a seven-year deal. During this tenure, he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and won Super Bowl XLV. He extended his Pro Bowl total to eight and first-team All-Pro honors to four while with Green Bay. Returning to Oakland for three seasons, he adapted to playing safety while maintaining elite play. Statistically, he is tied with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper for the most defensive touchdowns in NFL history and sits second in interceptions returned for touchdowns. His longevity allowed him to appear in Pro Bowls across three different decades before his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Did You Know?

• Woodson was the first primarily defensive player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997.
• He is tied with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper for the most defensive touchdowns in NFL history.
• Woodson became a limited partner of the Cleveland Browns in 2025.
• During his senior year at Ross High School, he set school records with 3,861 rushing yards and 466 points.
• He was one of the few players to appear in a Pro Bowl during three different decades.