Rod Woodson Pro Football Hall of Fame

Lore & Background

Rod Woodson played 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then was a key member of the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV championship team. He also had stints with the San Francisco 49ers and two seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He switched from cornerback to safety later in his career. After retiring in 2003, he worked as an analyst for NFL Network and Big Ten Network, then as Raiders cornerbacks coach in 2011, then returned to broadcasting before resuming coaching in 2014. He was announced in July 2022 as the Ravens' new radio color commentator.

In Their Own Story

The desert sun beat down on the grass of Sun Devil Stadium as Rod Woodson lined up against a league-leading wide receiver. The crowd roared, sensing another big play coming from the veteran leader. With a burst of speed that belied his years, he stepped in front of the pass, snatching it cleanly out of the air. He didn't just catch the ball; he turned and ran with purpose, eyes locked on the end zone. As defenders scrambled to catch him, Woodson wove through traffic, a ghost in red and white, reminding everyone why he was destined for Canton.

Reader's Guide

Woodson's 71 career interceptions are the third most in NFL history. He holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries by a defensive player (32) and interceptions returned for a touchdown (12). He was a consensus All-American at Purdue in 1986 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. He also excelled in track and field, holding Purdue school records in the 60 and 110 meter hurdles.

Did You Know?

• Rod Woodson never played for the Arizona Cardinals.
• He won Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens, not with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• He holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries by a defensive player (32).
• He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.