Photo by Tony Gonzales
One of the most beloved players to ever put on the Silver and Black, Woodson originally returned to the Raiders on May 22, 2013, reuniting him with the team that selected him in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Woodson re-signed with Oakland again March 21, 2014.
Woodson grew to fame at the University of Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines capture the 1997 *Associated Press *National Championship. His individual performance during the 1997 season earned him the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first predominantly defensive player ever to win the illustrious award. He was also honored with the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Jim Thorpe Award, Bronko Nagurski Award and *Sporting News *Player of the Year.
The fourth-overall selection by Al Davis in the 1998 NFL Draft made an immediate impact in the league, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl selections in each of his first four seasons (1998-2001). During his first stint with the Raiders, Woodson also earned first-team All-Pro accolades on three occasions (Associated Press *in 1999, *Sports Illustrated *in 2000 and *Sporting News and *College & Pro Football Newsweekly *in 2001).
After signing with the Packers prior to the 2006 season, Woodson continued to collect the hardware and add to his legacy. From 2006-12 with Green Bay, he was selected to four Pro Bowls (2008-11), two more first-team All-Pro selections (2009 and 2011) and the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to earning the highest honor a defensive player can achieve in a single season, Woodson followed up the 2009 campaign by helping the Packers win the Super Bowl in 2010.
During his first season back with the Silver and Black, Woodson recorded 97 tackles (75 solo), 2.0 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries with one returned for a touchdown.
Woodson is tied for second in NFL history in interceptions returned for touchdowns with 11 and is tied for first in NFL history in defensive touchdowns with 13. Woodson is second all-time with 16-consecutive seasons with an interception.
He is one of only two players in football history to have ever won a Heisman Trophy, Associated Press Rookie of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year and a Super Bowl in their career. His company in the category is Raiders Hall of Fame RB Marcus Allen.
All in all, the resume Woodson brings to Oakland is impressive: The 1997 Heisman Trophy Award and National Championship in college, eight Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro selections, the NFL's 2009 Defensive Player of the Year award, four conference championship game appearances, two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl championship.
