Services have been set for former 49ers defensive back Abe Woodson who passed away on Feb. 8, 2014 at the age of 79. The graveside service will take place on February 19 at S. Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Las Vegas, NV at 9:30 a.m.
A Mississippi native, Woodson excelled in football and track at the University of Illinois. He was later drafted by the 49ers in the second round of the 1957 NFL Draft and joined the team in 1959 following a military commitment.
He remained in San Francisco for 7 of his 9 NFL seasons, appearing in 89 games for the 49ers, including 63 starts. Woodson starred on defense and special teams, while also appearing on offense. He recorded 15 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries for San Francisco, and holds 49ers career records for kickoff return yards (4,873), kickoff return average (29.4), kickoff return touchdowns (5) and longest kickoff return for a touchdown (105 yards). Also, his career 28.7 kick return average ranks fourth highest in NFL history. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl five times, from 1959 through 1963, and was a First Team All-Pro selection in 1959 and 1960. Woodson played two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals before retiring as the NFL’s all-time leading kick returner in 1966.
After retiring from football, Woodson spent 35 years as a life-insurance agent and also worked as a volunteer chaplain for the Nevada prison system. He was born in Jackson, MS, on Feb. 15, 1934.
Courtesy San Francisco 49ers media services
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