THE ROD WOODSON COLLECTION

Rod Woodson was a standout defensive back who played 17 hard-hitting seasons in the NFL from 1987 to 2003. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a three-sport star at Snider High School before accepting a full scholarship to play football at Purdue University. As a Boilermaker, Woodson was a two-time All-America selection at defensive back (‘85 and ’86) and was a three-time All-Big Ten Conference First Team selection. He was also a member of Purdue’s track team and was twice awarded All-America honors as a hurdler after finishing second at the 1985 NCAA championships and third at the ‘87 NCAA championships, both times in the 55-meter event. In fact, in 1984, Woodson had qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 110-meter hurdles, but decided he’d rather continue his football career in the NFL after graduating from Purdue with a degree in criminal justice.

Selected in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 10 pick overall), Woodson made a huge impact in the Steel City. After serving primarily as a punt returner in his first season – which is when he made his first interception on Nov. 22 against Cincinnati’s Boomer Esiason – Woodson settled into a triangular role in year two as the team’s punt returner, kick returner and right side corner back. For the next 10 seasons Woodson was one of the NFL’s most feared corners as he recorded 644 tackles, made 38 interceptions (five returned for touchdowns) and recovered 21 fumbles. In 1993, he was named the NFL’s AP Defensive Player of the Year and in 1995 missed almost the entire season after suffering a devastating knee injury in Week 1 trying to tackle Detroit’s Barry Sanders. Despite the injury, Woodson returned in time for the playoffs and helped the Steelers advance to Super Bowl XXX where they dropped a 27-17 decision to the Dallas Cowboys. Woodson remains the only NFL player to ever return from a torn ACL to play in the same season.

He left the Steelers after the ’96 season and played for three more teams over the next seven years: San Francisco (’97), Baltimore (‘98-01) and Oakland (‘02-03). He would win his only Super Bowl title as a free safety with the Ravens in 2000 as he helped the team dominate the NFC Champion New York Giants, 34-7. He finished his impressive career with 71 interceptions (third best overall) and set a new NFL record with 12 picks returned for touchdowns. A six-time First-Team All-Pro selection, he was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times, setting a record for defensive backs. To no one’s surprise, Woodson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, in his first year of eligibility. It’s interesting to note that he wore uniform No. 26 from his playing days at Snider High all the way through his final NFL season with the Raiders, where he currently serves as the team’s assistant defensive backs coach. It’s a position he knows a little something about.