Photo Credit: Kyle Terada/ USA TODAY Sports
As one of the few remaining “old guys” in the league, it was only a matter of time before Raiders safety Charles Woodson would sadly announce his retirement. Apparently that time is now as Woodson has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this season. Woodson joined the league in 1998 and is in his 18th season with the league.
Woodson was originally drafted by Oakland with the fourth overall pick. He spent six seasons in Green Bay, but would eventually return to Oakland in 2013. However, Woodson has not slowed down at all. Especially not this season where he has racked up 65 combined tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 5 interceptions. Two of the interceptions were off Peyton Manning who Woodson had mentioned that he would love to have picked off and finally after 18 years, Woodson was finally able to get his wish, twice!
Woodson also joins an elite club since he has gotten an interception every year he has been in the league. His career stats really show why Woodson deserves as much praise as he gotten. In 18 seasons, Woodson has over 1,000 tackles, 33 forced fumbles and 65 interceptions which he can still add to since he still has two games left to play in. Even if Woodson would sit out those final two games, he would still have such an impressive career and legacy which is almost sure to send him to the Hall Of Fame as soon as he is eligible.
Woodson released a statement after his announcement, “It will be emotional. I’ve been emotional all day, so it will be that way Thursday for Raider Nation…it was really fun coming back here and playing, so it will be a pretty emotional day.” However, Woodson isn’t retiring because he’s an “old guy of the league”, but because he finally wants to move on and mentally allow himself to have a break. Even though Woodson is retiring, it is obvious that this will not be the last we hear of Mr. Woodson!
