For 18 years it was a catchy, but fitting nickname. “Sir” Charles Woodson was one of the most dynamic defensive players the NFL had ever seen. Saturday night, the Pro Football Hall of Fame officially placed the sword upon the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner’s shoulder, signifying his election to the Hall.
Sir Charles was officially knighted.
Woodson played the middle seven years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Signed by General Manager Ted Thompson as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, Woodson came to the Packers because they were the only team that showed interest in the already eight year veteran. During his election media conference today, Woodson was asked by Green Bay’s Hall of Fame selector Pete Dougherty about that first summer in green and gold. Woodson was still a little miffed he didn’t garner more attention as a free agent, he wanted to keep playing at a high level and he wasn’t convinced the league’s smallest town was right for him. Two weeks into that first camp, the Packers held a night practice and after the workout, Woodson and rookie Head Coach Mike McCarthy got together at the far end of the field and talked things out. Here’s how Charles recalled that conversation.
Woodson had an immediate impact his first season, leading the Packers with eight interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. By 2009, Woodson was the best player of the team and was voted the NFL’s defensive player of the year. His career reached the pinnacle in 2010 when he led the Packers to the Super Bowl although he didn’t make it to halftime of the 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, dislocating his collarbone while diving to break up an end zone pass. In his seven seasons with the Packers, Woodson earned 4 of his 9 Pro Bowl appearances, one of his three All-Pro campaigns. He intercepted 38 passes as a Packer, setting franchise records with nine interceptions returned for touchdowns and 10 defensive scores.
After not getting offered another contract after the 2012 season, Woodson returned to the Raiders to play three more years, wrapping up his Hall of Fame career.
Woodson becomes the 27th Green Bay Packer to be enshrined in Canton, second most among all NFL teams.
