Ickey Woods
The man behind the Ickey Shuffle, a Bengals rookie phenom whose dance and playoff heroics defined a season.
Elbert L. "Ickey" Woods (born February 28, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL) from 1988 through 1991. He played college football for the UNLV Rebels. He is best remembered for his "Ickey Shuffle" end zone dance, performed each time he scored a touchdown. After a rookie season in which he set numerous rookie franchise records, a series of injuries shortened his NFL career and he retired after four years.
- Position
- Running Back
- Draft Year
- 1988
- Signature Move
- The Ickey Shuffle
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Woods was given the nickname "Ickey" based on his little brother's pronunciation of his given first name, which sounded like "E-E." He attended Edison High School in Fresno, California, where he played sports. He received one college football scholarship, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he was a four-year letterwinner for the UNLV Rebels. As a freshman in 1984, the Rebels, led by future NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, went 11-2 and won the California Bowl 30-13 against the Toledo Rockets, a game in which Woods rushed nine times for 53 yards and one touchdown. In his senior year of 1987, Woods broke out and led the nation in rushing with 1,658 yards, with 6.4 yards per attempt. That total remains the second-most in UNLV history, and he holds the school record in single-game rushing attempts with 37 in two different games. In one of those games, he ran for a personal-best 265 yards against the University of the Pacific. He rushed for more than 100 yards in nine games, and more than 200 yards three times, in 1987, and was named first-team All Big West. He was inducted into the UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Woods in the second round (31st overall) of the 1988 NFL draft. He set franchise rookie records for rushing with 1,066 yards (later broken by Corey Dillon), 15 touchdowns, and an NFL-leading 5.3 yards per carry, along with 228 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs as the Bengals advanced to Super Bowl XXIII. His team lost the game 20-16 to the San Francisco 49ers, but he finished as the game's leading rusher with 79 yards. Woods tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the second game of the 1989 season, a 41-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He missed 13 months. By the time he returned, his starting role was filled by Harold Green. In 1990, Woods had 64 rushes for 268 yards and six touchdowns to go with 20 receptions and 162 yards receiving. Woods injured his right knee in the 1991 preseason. He returned at midseason and ran for 97 yards on 36 carries. He was out of football by age 26. His career statistics include 332 carries for 1,525 yards and 27 touchdowns, along with 47 receptions for 397 yards. Woods was later named #7 on NFL Top 10's Top Ten One-Shot Wonders. Woods is the owner/coach of the Cincinnati Sizzle of the full-contact Women's Football Alliance; one of the pl
In Their Own Story
The defining moments of Woods' career unfolded in 1988, a year where he shattered expectations. As a rookie, he rushed for 1,066 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, setting franchise records that stood for years. His playoff performance was equally dominant, accumulating 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bengals deep into the postseason. In one memorable playoff game against Buffalo on January 8, 1989, he recorded 29 rush attempts for a single-game record. However, the trajectory changed dramatically in the second game of the 1989 season during a 41-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Woods tore his left ACL. He missed 13 months, and by his return, Harold Green had filled his starting role. A subsequent right knee injury in the 1991 preseason further limited him to just 36 carries for 97 yards before he retired at age 26.
Reader's Guide
Ickey Woods is best known for his rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988, when he set franchise rookie records and led the team to Super Bowl XXIII, where he was the game's leading rusher with 79 yards. His signature end zone dance, the "Ickey Shuffle," became iconic. Injuries limited his career to four seasons (1988–1991). He holds several Bengals franchise records for playoff rushing, including most playoff rushing yards (391) and most playoff rushing touchdowns (4).
Did You Know?
- Woods was drafted in the second round, 31st overall, in the 1988 NFL Draft.
- He led the nation in rushing as a senior at UNLV in 1987 with 1,658 yards.
- His son Jovante died at age 16 from a fatal asthma attack.
- Woods appeared in a GEICO commercial in 2014 doing the Ickey Shuffle at a deli counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ickey Woods?
Elbert 'Ickey' Woods was a dynamic running back for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1988 to 1990, originally drafted out of UNLV in the second round. He became an instant icon in franchise history before his career was cut short by injuries and subsequent release.
What is Ickey Woods most famous for?
He is best remembered for inventing the 'Ickey Shuffle,' a flamboyant end zone dance he performed after every touchdown during his rookie season. This signature move, combined with his explosive playing style, electrified fans and defined an era of Bengals football.
How did Ickey Woods's professional career begin?
Woods entered the NFL in 1988 as a second-round pick and immediately set numerous franchise records during a historic rookie campaign. His performance was instrumental in leading the team to Super Bowl XXIII, marking one of the most impactful debuts in league history.
Why is Ickey Woods considered important to Bengals fans?
He represents a brief but brilliant period of excitement and hope for the franchise, bringing unprecedented energy to the offensive line. Despite his short tenure, his cultural impact through the 'Ickey Shuffle' remains a cherished part of team lore.
How did Ickey Woods's time with the Bengals end?
A series of severe injuries significantly diminished his playing ability and shortened his prime years in Cincinnati. He was ultimately released by the organization in August 1991 at just 25 years old, ending his tenure as a Bengal.
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