Charles Woodson left the NFL playing at an extremely high level. The veteran safety played 18 years of professional football, with a Hall-of-Fame resume that ranks him high among the league’s best defensive backs.
The 39-year old didn’t draw paychecks on past exploits, and wasn’t a shadow of himself dragged off the field by a league that wouldn’t employ him anyone.
The Raiders would re-sign Woodson in an instant if he chose to return, but he has chosen to call it a career. He’ll leave the game with some high honors.
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He was given one on Friday, named an Associated Press second-team All-Pro. That’s quite an accomplishment, considering the news outlet only honors one player per position on each team.
Woodson, who also made his ninth Pro Bowl, said the honors won’t prompt a comeback. He seems set on retirement, especially a promising career as a TV analyst on the horizon, and comfortable in his decision at this time.
Woodson will play in his ninth Pro Bowl in a few weeks, and has been a first-team All-Pro three times.