ALAMEDA, Calif. – Raiders S Charles Woodson has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October, the National Football League announced today.
This marks the fifth time in Woodson's career that he has been named the NFC or AFC Defensive Player of the Month. To go along with winning the award in September 2008, he won it a record three out of four times in 2009 (September, November and December). His five awards are tied for second most all-time, trailing only Hall of Famer DE Bruce Smith's six. Woodson also won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in December of 1998.
Woodson becomes the ninth player in Raiders history to win the award and first since LB Kirk Morrison won it in September 2007. In total, a Raiders player has won AFC Offensive, Defensive or Special Teams Player of the Month 19 times.
For the month, Woodson started all three of Oakland's games and totaled 19 tackles (12 solo), three interceptions (returned for 22 yards) and four passes defensed. His three interceptions were tied for the NFL lead in October.
On Oct. 4 against the Chicago Bears, he intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter with the Raiders trailing, setting up a go-ahead field goal. The next week against Denver, Woodson intercepted Broncos QB Peyton Manning twice on the day, becoming the only player in NFL history with two interceptions in a game at age 39 or older. He is also one of only three players in league history with an interception at age 39 or older.
