Bay Area Sports: Ranking the Top 30 Players
November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) intercepts the football intended for New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
#16 – Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders
At 39 years old, Charles Woodson is old enough to be father to some of his teammates. Seriously, he’s 18 years Amari Cooper’s senior. Even as the oldest player in the NFL right now, Woodson is still one of the best, craftiest safeties on the league. With 65 interceptions on his ledger, Woodson ranks fifth in NFL history, and he shown no signs of slowing down. His five interceptions so far this season is tied for the most in the NFL.
Woodson helped lead the Michigan Wolverines to a National Championship in 1997 and won the Heisman Trophy the same year. He’s still the only defensive player ever to take home the award. He was the fourth overall pick in the 1998 draft and hasn’t stopped racking up the accolades since.
He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro, two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time NFL interceptions leader. He’s the only player to record at least 60 interceptions and 20 sacks in a career. He won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers before returning to the Raiders in 2013.
Woodson is assuredly going to the Hall of Fame, but when? He looks like he could keep playing for a few more years.
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