CANTON, Ohio -- Rod Woodson's NFL statistics over 17 seasons were so gaudy and his place on the NFL's vaunted 75th Anniversary Team as an active player so impressive, he was a shoo-in to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility."I've seen it from afar, but getting on this stage, it's a whirlwind," said Woodson, 44, who has spent the five years since his retirement from the league as an analyst for the NFL Network.
Woodson earned 11 Pro Bowl berths, was All-Pro six times at three positions -- cornerback, safety and kick returner -- and holds the NFL record for career touchdowns off interception returns with 12.
He's always said he appreciates his fortune to have played on three Super Bowl teams for three different franchises, the Steelers, the 49ers and the Ravens. He spent his final two NFL seasons playing for his favorite team as a child, the Oakland Raiders.
On Saturday, when Woodson's Hall of Fame bust was unveiled in Canton, he gave an impassioned half-hour speech that showed his appreciation for a game he acknowledges has been incredibly good to him.
"Nothing great has ever been done alone," Woodson reminded the Fawcett Stadium crowd. "We are all the piece of a puzzle. We are not the puzzle itself. When we realize that, we are all better people."
Woodson -- who endured taunts early in his NFL career by Bengals receiver Carl Pickens, targeting his bi-racial heritage -- referred to himself as "a bi-racial mutt" in his induction speech."I think it's fitting that I played for so many different teams," said Woodson, who also mentioned his bi-racial pedigree hoping to inspire young people who are growing up like him.
"God made us all of one blood, and one spirit," he said, fighting off tears and his emotions. "You people who have mixed marriages, tell your kids they do not have to choose which side they're on.
"We always want to choose, but we don't have to choose. God made you who you are, remember that."
Woodson, who is third on the NFL's all-time list with 71 interceptions, returned for an NFL-record 1,483 yards, said his small-town roots in Fort Wayne, Ind., kept him grounded and humble.
He thanked the many coaches who guided him throughout his playing career, and Woodson gave a special shout to the Steelers' franchise and ownership for drafting him in the first round (10th overall) in 1987 out of Purdue, and a Pittsburgh fan base that cheered him.
"And booed me when I left," he said.
Eddie DeBartolo, the former 49ers' owner, also was singled out by Woodson for praise, as was former Ravens owner Art Model and Raiders owner Al Davis.
"Oh, and you Steeler fans? You booed me when I was a Raider," Woodson said with a huge grin. "But I love you anyway."
Legends Enshrined at Canton
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Derrion Thomas, son of the late Derrick Thomas, and presenter Carl Peterson pose with the bust of Thomas at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrion Thomas;Carl Peterson
Getty Images
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Bruce Smith and presenter Ted Cottrell unveil the bust of Smith at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bruce Smith;Ted Cottrell
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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson acknowledges the family of the late Derrick Thomas at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carl Peterson
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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Bruce Smith speaks to the crowd at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bruce Smith
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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Bruce Smith looks on with former Buffalo Bills teammates Thurman Thomas (center) and Jim Kelly following his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bruce Smith;Thurman Thomas;Jim Kelly
Getty Images
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Bruce Smith acknowledges Buffalo Bills fans during the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bruce Smith
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From left to right, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Jim Kelly pose during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP
From left to right, Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Bob Hayes Jr. and Ralph Wilson Jr. stand with bronze busts during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: The newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (from left) Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Bob Hayes (represented by his son Bob Jr.) and Ralph Wilson Jr. look on following the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins, left, is joined by his former Bills teammates Thurman Thomas, center, and Jim Kelly at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, Saturday, August 8, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)
MCT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-09-2009 @ 2:24AM
daveenlakwood said...
Rod Woodson got booed for lobbying for the pig Art Model to get in the hall of fame.... the guy stole football and a championship from cleveland may he rot in hell for eternity. And to Rod .... kiss our cleveland asses
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8-09-2009 @ 2:46AM
Rob said...
Blah blah blah.. words of another stinkin Steeler hater...When will you just get over it.. Rod was one of the best to ever play his... Positions...Thanks Rod, from a Steeler fan, who was disappointed you left the Burg, but understands why.
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8-09-2009 @ 8:00AM
Mr Wonderful said...
A class act! Hope we see his likes again in Eric Berry in a few years.
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8-09-2009 @ 10:26AM
Kyle said...
hot rod is an all-forever great. it's an honor for steeler nation to have such an elite chapter for the annals.
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8-09-2009 @ 1:22PM
Steel Wheel said...
As a Steelers fan I was happy to see Rod get in but I was also disgusted that the dedicated illustration had him in a dirty bird uni too. I mean, seriously, do they have any logical reason to state claim to him? Other than the one year...he was ours for 10. Which poises the question, who logically has claim as a fan? I mean I live in Detroit and Bobby Layne won two championships here so the Lions have legit claim...but he's also coveted in the Burgh...oh, the dilemas!!!
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8-09-2009 @ 2:20PM
jbau146906 said...
i was one of the steeler fans sad to see rod leave but happy to see him make it to canton. he deserves it. the year he left, i was in woodson's all star grille and made a hole-in-one on the putting green. this earned me a free lunch and the chance to shake hands with nikki and joe woodson. both were very gracious people. joe had just mustered out of the marines and my son was just beginning his marine enlistment. u-rah joe.
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8-09-2009 @ 8:57PM
dhartson said...
He is a RAIDER !!!! AWSOME PLAYER !!! Congrats...
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8-09-2009 @ 11:02PM
birchibaldbarlow said...
Really? A RAIDER? You wouldn't know it by scanning the crowd at the Hall this weekend. You could add the Raiders, Ravens, and Niners jerseys together and not get to HALF the number of Steeler fans who made the trip to show their appreciation. The average Raider fan probably can't cross a state line without a parole officer's permission. Who would want to go in as a Raider, anyway?
8-09-2009 @ 11:28PM
nails5812 said...
Congratulations Rod!!! You deserve to be there!!! As a Steeler fan, never wanted you to leave, and glad to know you still bleed black and gold!!! Watch you all the time on NFL Network, and proud of what you have done with your post-career.
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 5:28PM
BLITZBURGH26 said...
I'm a BIG Rod Woodson fan.In fact i named my only son after him.I look up to him and i try to live like him.He is such an inspiration for me.He helps me everyday to be good.I'm very thankful to have met him and his family.Mr.Woodson keep living good and thank you!-Pat
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