Charles Woodson, the 18-year NFL veteran and former Heisman winner from Michigan, announced on Monday that he will retire at the end of the 2015-16 season. The soon to be 9-time Pro Bowler will be suiting up for the last time at the Oakland Coliseum, where Woodson spent 11 seasons in two separate stints with the Raiders. He began his career there and will respectfully hang up his cleats of a legendary tenure.
He is the only player in NFL history with 50 or more interceptions and 20 or more sacks. Woodson is a member of the NFL's 2000 All-Decade Team and is currently 5th all-time in NFL history for interceptions in a career with 65 INT.
Woodson will certainly be remembered for the controversial ruling during the "Tuck Rule Game", in the 2001 AFC Divisional playoff game between the Raiders and the Patriots. In the 4th quarter, Woodson had initially sacked Tom Brady and forced an ensuing fumble, which was recovered by Greg Biekart of the Raiders, that would have sealed the game for Oakland. This critically overturned call prompted the Patriots to retain possession of the ball and ultimately tie the game at 13 forcing overtime, which New England managed to win, and later win the Super Bowl.
Thankfully, this was not Woodson's only bid for advancing further in the playoffs. In 2002, the following season, Oakland returned to win the AFC Championship before losing in Super Bowl XXXVII to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-21. His last opportunity to win a title came as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
At Green Bay, his stats improved in every defensive category, compared to his time in Oakland. He still holds the franchise record in Green Bay for most defensive touchdowns with 8 total TDs (7 INT, 1 FUM REC). In 2010, his stellar play had helped lead the Packers to Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before halftime, Woodson broke his collarbone and was forced to sit out the remainder of the game. He addressed the team in the locker room as their defensive captain and had to cheer his teammates on from the sidelines to victory, 31-25.
He will certainly be a first ballot Hall of Famer, when Woodson becomes eligible in 2021. On Dec. 24th, 2015, the Raiders will play the San Diego Chargers at home, where Oakland will look to send out the veteran in style in his final home game. Expect to see an outpouring showing of fan appreciation from Raider Nation.
