Rod Woodson

Rod Woodson was a versatile Hall of Fame defensive back who starred at cornerback and safety, finishing his career with 71 interceptions, third-most in NFL history.

Roderick Kevin Woodson was born on 10 March 1965 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the youngest of three boys, and endured racism targeting his mixed-race family throughout his childhood, before attending Snider High School and playing college football at Purdue, where he starred on both offence and defence and set 13 individual school records. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Woodson tenth overall in the 1987 NFL Draft, and he developed into one of the most versatile and dominant defensive backs in NFL history, memorably becoming the first player ever to return from major knee surgery within the same season, playing in Super Bowl XXX in 1996 after tearing his ACL that January. Woodson won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 1993, and retired with 71 career interceptions, third-most in NFL history, along with a then-record 12 interception returns for touchdowns, earning a record 11 Pro Bowl selections for a defensive back across a 17-season career spanning the Steelers, 49ers, Ravens, and Raiders. Woodson won Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, later building a career as a broadcaster and coach, remaining one of the most complete and record-setting defensive players the sport has produced.

Athletic, versatile defender with exceptional speed and ball skills; excelled in coverage and as a return specialist

Considered one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history; revolutionized the safety position with his range and athleticism

• Pro Football Hall of Fame (2009)
• Super Bowl XXXV champion
• 11x Pro Bowl
• 6x First-team All-Pro
• NFL 1990s All-Decade Team