Charles Woodson is a legendary former American football player who enjoyed an 18-season career in the NFL, playing primarily for the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive backs in football history, Woodson earned nine Pro Bowl selections, four First-Team All-Pro honours, and the title of NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He recorded 65 career interceptions, tied for fifth-most in league history, and 13 defensive touchdowns, tying the NFL all-time record.
Before his professional career, Woodson was a standout at the University of Michigan, where he played from 1995 to 1997. In his junior year, he became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, leading the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a share of the 1997 national championship. He was also a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a two-time All-American.
Drafted fourth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Raiders, Woodson made an immediate impact, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. After eight years with Oakland, he joined the Packers in 2006, where he enjoyed a career resurgence. In Super Bowl XLV, he helped lead Green Bay to victory despite suffering a broken collarbone during the game.
Woodson returned to Oakland for his final three seasons, retiring in 2015 after earning his ninth Pro Bowl in his last year. In retirement, he has worked as a football analyst and founded the Charles Woodson Foundation to support breast cancer research and child health initiatives. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2025, he became a limited partner of the Cleveland Browns, continuing his influence on the sport beyond the field.
Michigan Wolverines (College Career)
Charles Woodson played college football at the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1997. A standout from his freshman year, he became a starter in only his second game and never missed a start thereafter. Known for his versatility, Woodson played cornerback, returned punts, and occasionally appeared as a wide receiver. He was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, a two-time All-American, and in 1997, led Michigan to an undefeated season and a national championship. That same year, he made history by becoming the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, defeating Peyton Manning in the vote. He also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year before declaring early for the NFL Draft.
Oakland Raiders & Green Bay Packers (Professional Career)
Woodson was selected 4th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He made an immediate impact, winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and earning Pro Bowl selections in his first four seasons. After eight years with the Raiders, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2006, where his career reached new heights. In 2009, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recording 9 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns. In 2010, he helped lead the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV.
Woodson returned to the Raiders in 2013 and played his final three seasons there, earning his ninth Pro Bowl selection in his final NFL season in 2015. Over his 18-year career, he accumulated 65 interceptions, 13 defensive touchdowns (tied NFL record), and 20 sacks—a rare stat line for a defensive back. He is one of the few players to be named to the Pro Bowl in three different decades and played at cornerback, free safety, and strong safety.
In 2021, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having already entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2025, Woodson became a limited partner of the Cleveland Browns, marking a new chapter in his lifelong connection to football.
Unlike some sports, American football has limited international competition at the professional level, and Woodson never competed for or represented any national team abroad. However, his influence and reputation extended internationally through NFL global broadcasts, media appearances, and his Hall of Fame recognition, making him a globally known figure in the sport despite not playing internationally.
Outside of football, Charles Woodson has built an equally impactful and multifaceted life, excelling as an entrepreneur, media personality, philanthropist, and public figure. His journey beyond the gridiron began while still playing in the NFL, as he developed a strong interest in wine during his time with the Oakland Raiders, situated near California’s renowned Napa Valley. This passion evolved into a full-fledged business venture with the launch of his boutique wine label, originally called “TwentyFour by Charles Woodson”, and later rebranded as “Intercept by Charles Woodson”. Partnering with veteran winemaker Rick Ruiz, the winery produces premium varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Though the label features his name and signature, Woodson was initially restricted by NFL policies from directly endorsing alcohol during his active career. After retirement, however, he embraced the entrepreneurial role fully, with his wines receiving critical acclaim and establishing a niche presence in the competitive wine market.
In addition to his business ventures, Woodson carved out a significant presence in sports media. After retiring from the NFL in 2015, he joined ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown as an analyst, offering in-depth breakdowns and commentary shaped by nearly two decades of elite-level play. His articulate and insightful analysis quickly made him a standout personality on the programme. In 2018, he transitioned to Fox Sports, where he expanded his role to cover both NFL and college football, cementing his status as a respected and recognisable media figure. Woodson’s commentary is widely praised for its clarity, tactical depth, and leadership perspective.
Woodson’s legacy is equally defined by his philanthropic work. He has shown a long-standing commitment to supporting children's health and cancer research. In 2009, he donated $2 million to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, funding paediatric research and care programmes. He also founded the Charles Woodson Foundation, which focuses on supporting breast cancer research, underserved communities, and educational initiatives. The foundation has provided scholarships and emergency assistance to students in need, while also raising awareness for critical health issues. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Woodson contributed $100,000 to the relief efforts, demonstrating a strong sense of civic duty and humanitarian engagement.
On a personal level, Charles Woodson is known for being private but devoted to his family. He is married to April Dixon Woodson, and the couple has two sons. He frequently credits his family for providing emotional support and balance throughout his demanding football career and post-retirement life. Despite his fame, Woodson maintains a grounded approach to life, focusing on values such as discipline, integrity, and service.
In a significant development in 2025, Woodson expanded his professional footprint into the realm of sports ownership by becoming a limited partner of the Cleveland Browns. This role marks a new chapter in his involvement with the NFL, allowing him to contribute to the game from a business and strategic perspective. His entry into team ownership represents a rare and influential step for former players, further cementing his enduring presence and leadership within professional football.
Charles Woodson's legacy in the NFL is that of one of the most versatile, intelligent, and impactful defensive players in the history of the sport. Over an 18-season career, he redefined what it meant to be a defensive back, excelling at both cornerback and safety while showcasing rare longevity, adaptability, and football intelligence.
Selected fourth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Woodson made an immediate impact by winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He went on to become a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time First-Team All-Pro, and the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 65 career interceptions, tied for fifth-most in NFL history, and scored 13 defensive touchdowns, a mark that ties him with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper for the most in league history. These statistics alone place him among the most productive and dangerous defensive players to ever play the game.
What sets Woodson apart is not only his production, but also his positional versatility. He began his career as an elite cover corner—often assigned to shut down the opposing team’s top wide receiver—but as he aged, he seamlessly transitioned to playing free safety and strong safety, maintaining high performance in all roles. Few players in NFL history have excelled across three positions in the secondary over nearly two decades, and Woodson did so while continuing to produce turnovers and mentor younger teammates.
His time with the Green Bay Packers further cemented his reputation. Between 2006 and 2012, Woodson had his most productive stretch, leading the NFL in interceptions, returning multiple for touchdowns, and helping guide the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV championship. Even after breaking his collarbone in the first half of that Super Bowl game, Woodson’s emotional halftime speech was credited by teammates as a key motivational moment in their eventual victory.
Woodson is also remembered for his leadership, football IQ, and big-game performances. From his famous Heisman-winning season at Michigan to critical playoff interceptions in the NFL, he consistently delivered in the sport’s biggest moments. His unique ability to read quarterbacks, anticipate plays, and make game-changing turnovers made him a true defensive playmaker.
He is one of the rare players to be selected to the Pro Bowl in three different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s), underlining his longevity and sustained excellence. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 was a fitting recognition of a career that influenced how defensive backs are evaluated and utilised in the modern NFL.
Awards and Recognition
NFL Achievements with the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers
Leadership and Impact
Additional Honours and Activities
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