Darren Woodson

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Darren Woodson
Safety
Personal information
Born: (1969-04-25) April 25, 1969 (age 54)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Maryvale (Phoenix)
College:Arizona State
NFL draft:1992 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:1,350
Interceptions:
23
Touchdowns:2
Forced fumbles:17
Fumble recoveries:11
Sacks:11
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Darren Ray Woodson (born April 25, 1969) is an American former professional

1992 NFL Draft
with the 37th overall pick.

Early years

Woodson was raised by his mother, Freddie Luke, in

NFL
.

In August 2008, ESPNRISE.com named Woodson as one of the best high school players to ever come out of Arizona.[1]

College career

According to a January 23, 1996, article in

NCAA academic qualifications for a scholarship, he walked on at Arizona State University. According to the article, "Woodson built a reputation as a ferocious hitter with a keen eye for football."[2]

An undersized linebacker who wore #6 in college, Woodson was coached by ASU linebackers coach Lovie Smith, future NFL head coach.

As a sophomore in 1989, he was voted the team's "Most Improved" player, after leading it in total tackles (122) and tackles for loss (5), including a 16 tackle game against Stanford University.

During his senior year, he showed his great athleticism by lining up during 2 games as a defensive end and playing on several occasions as an inside linebacker. Woodson finished his college career with 803 tackles and was invited to play on the Blue–Gray Football Classic.

A three-year starter at outside

Pac-10
second-team as a senior. He served as team captain as a senior in 1991 and earned a degree in criminal justice.

In 2005, he was inducted into the Arizona State University Hall of Fame. In April 2009, Woodson was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.[3]

Professional career

Woodson participated at Arizona State's pro day and performed positional drills and ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. Dallas Cowboys' defensive backs coach

safety in waiting." and had Woodson perform defensive back drills.[4][5]
Woodson was considered to be an undersized linebacker prospect.

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split
20-yard shuttle
Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)
219 lb
(99 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.53 s 1.58 s 2.59 s 4.28 s 37+12 in
(0.95 m)
10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)
19 reps
All values from
NFL Combine[6]

1992

The

1992 NFL Draft.[7] He was the third safety drafted in 1992 and was selected with one of the draft picks the Dallas Cowboys acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in the Herschel Walker trade. The Cowboys selected Woodson at the recommendation of defensive coordinator Dave Campo.[8]

On July 27, 1992, the Dallas Cowboys signed Woodson to a four-year, $1.92 million contract.[9] Throughout training camp, he competed to be a starting safety against James Washington. Head coach Jimmy Johnson named Woodson the backup strong safety to begin the regular season, behind Thomas Everett.[10]

He made his professional regular season debut in the

Chicago Bears in Week 17.[11] Woodson finished his rookie season in 1992 as a backup safety and an extra defensive back on the nickel defense. He also appeared on special teams and led team with 19 special teams tackles and had one sack on defense in 16 games and two starts.[12]

The Dallas Cowboys finished the 1992 NFL season atop the

1993

On August 2, 1993, Woodson broke his right forearm during the Cowboys' 13–7 preseason loss to the

Minnesota Vikings and was expected to be sidelined for two months.[13] During training camp, he competed for a role as a starting safety against James Washington and Thomas Everett. Head coach Jimmy Johnson named Woodson the backup strong safety to begin the regular season in 1993, behind Everett. Woodson made the decision to play with his broken forearm before it had fully healed.[14] On September 26, 1993, it was reported that the Dallas Cowboys' head coach Jimmy Johnson named Woodson as the new starting strong safety after he started the last two games in place of James Washington. Everett replaced Washington as the starting free safety with Woodson taking over Everett's role as the starting strong safety.[15][16]

On January 2, 1994, Woodson collected a season-high 18 combined tackles during a 16–13 victory at the

1994

On March 29, 1994, Dallas Cowboys' head coach Jimmy Johnson announced his decision to resign due to multiple disagreements with owner Jerry Jones.[20] On March 31, 1994, Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones announced the hiring of former Oklahoma Sooners' head coach Barry Switzer as their new head coach.[21] Switzer opted to retain Butch Davis as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. Woodson was named the starting strong safety to start the regular season and started alongside free safety James Washington and cornerbacks Larry Brown and Kevin Smith.[22]

On September 11, 1994, Woodson recorded eight combined tackles and made his first career regular season interception during a 20–17 win against the

Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14.[25] Woodson started in all 16 games in 1994 and recorded 78 combined tackles, a career-high five interceptions, and two forced fumbles.[18][26]

The Dallas Cowboys finished first in the NFC East with a 12–4 record and earned a first round bye. On January 8, 1995, Woodson made five combined tackles as the Cowboys defeated the

San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.[25]

1995

Defensive backs coach Dave Campo was promoted to defensive coordinator after Butch Davis accepted the head coaching position with the

Washington Redskins in Week 5. Woodson intercepted a pass by Redskins' quarterback Gus Frerotte, that was intended for defensive end Tony Woods and returned it for a 37-yard touchdown in the second quarter.[28] He started in all 16 games in 1995 and recorded 94 combined tackles, two interceptions, and a touchdown.[18] Woodson was selected to play in the 1996 Pro Bowl
, marking the first selection of his career.

The

. He earned his third Super Bowl victory in four seasons.

1996

On February 15, 1996, the Dallas Cowboys signed Woodson to a six-year, $18 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5.40 million.[29]

"Darren is the total package. He has a combination of size speed and lateral movement that is rare in a strong safety. In fact, he covers one-on-one so well he could be a corner. He is the kind of guy coaches like to build a team around."[30]

Dave Campo (1996)

Dallas Cowboys' Defensive coordinator

Woodson and Brock Marion returned as the Cowboys' starting safety duo in 1996. They started alongside cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith.

Carolina Panthers
in the NFC Divisional Round.

1997

Head coach Barry Switzer retained the starting secondary in 1997. On September 7, 1997, Woodson recorded nine combined tackles, forced two fumbles, and made a sack as the Cowboys lost 25–22 at the

Philadelphia Eagles due to an injury.[32] He was also sidelined for Dallas' Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Oilers after sustaining an injury the previous week.[33] Woodson finished the 1997 season with 73 combined tackles, two sacks, and an interception in 14 games and 14 starts.[18] He was also selected to play in the 1998 Pro Bowl
.

1998

On January 9, 1998, Dallas Cowboys' head coach

Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator Chan Gailey as their new head coach.[35] Gailey named Woodson the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safety Omar Stoutmire.[36]

In Week 11, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles during the Cowboys' 35–28 victory at the

Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Wildcard Game. Woodson recorded two tackles and intercepted a pass by Cardinals' quarterback Jake Plummer during the game.[38]

1999

Woodson returned as the starting strong safety, but was paired with free safety

Minnesota Vikings
in the NFC Wildcard Game.

2000

On January 12, 2000, the Dallas Cowboys fired head coach Chan Gailey due to a second first round exit from the playoffs.[41] On January 26, 2000, Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones officially promoted defensive coordinator Dave Campo to head coach. Campo was instrumental in drafting and converting Woodson and previously served as his position coach and coordinator.[42]

On September 21, 2000, Woodson collected a season-high nine combined tackles, but was ejected during a 41–21 loss against the

Baltimore Ravens in Week 12.[44] Woodson was inactive for the last five games of the regular season (Weeks 13–17) due to his fractured forearm. He finished the season with 71 combined tackles and two interceptions in 11 games and 11 starts.[18]

2001

On February 28, 2001, the Dallas Cowboys signed Woodson to a five-year, $20 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5 million.[45]

Woodson and George Teague returned as the starting safety tandem in 2001 under defensive coordinator

Philadelphia Eagles.[46] He started in all 16 games in 2001 and recorded 87 combined tackles (76 solo), seven pass deflections, and three interceptions.[47]

2002

Head coach Dave Campo retained Woodson as the starting strong safety in 2002, alongside starting free safety and rookie first round pick

Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. On November 26, 2002, the Dallas Cowboys placed Woodson on injured reserve for the remaining five games of the regular season (Weeks 12–17).[49] On December 30, 2002, the Dallas Cowboys fired head coach Dave Campo after they finished the 2002 season with a 5–11 record.[50] He finished the season with 49 combined tackles (40 solo), a pass deflection, and an interception in ten games and ten starts.[47]

2003

On March 26, 2003, the Dallas Cowboys hired Bill Parcells as their new head coach.

Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14.[52] He started in all 16 games in 2003 and recorded 85 combined tackles (65 solo), 14 pass deflections, an interception, and a sack.[47]

2004

On July 27, 2004, Woodson underwent surgery to remove a herniated disc and was unable to physically participate in training camp. He sustained the injury while working out the previous week.[53] On September 6, 2004, the Dallas Cowboys placed Woodson on their Physically unable to participate list and he remained inactive for all 16 games.[54]

Retirement

On December 29, 2004, Woodson officially announced his retirement from the NFL. He was the last remaining member of the Dallas Cowboys' dynasty.[55] He retired as the Dallas Cowboys' all-time leading tackler with 813 career tackles.[56]

At the press conference to announce Woodson's retirement, Bill Parcells, then head coach of the Cowboys, said: "[Woodson is] the kind of guy that makes this profession something that you like to engage in. He's the epitome of a professional. He does epitomize that in every sense. What he did in playing and his approach to the game."

"For 13 years, [Woodson] was everything you could ask for -- unselfish, reliable, dependable, a team player first and a team leader always. He's a living, breathing example of the saying that character does matter."[55]

Jerry Jones (2004)

Dallas Cowboys' owner

During his retirement press conference, Woodson said, "When I put that helmet on, I laid it on the line. Not just for this team, but for everyone here. I laid it on the line every time I put that helmet on. I wanted to win so bad, that nothing else really mattered. The most important thing was giving everything I had each time I stepped out on the field. And I think I did that."

Hall of Fame consideration

In October 2008, Woodson became a first-time candidate on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's preliminary list. In September 2011, he was included on the preliminary list of nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012.[57]

In February 2011, ESPN.com writer Tim MacMahon wrote that Woodson "deserves serious Hall of Fame consideration and should join the Triplets on the modern side of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor."[58]

On August 4, 2015, the Dallas Cowboys announced that Woodson would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.[59] The official ceremony took place Nov 1 against the Seahawks at AT&T Stadium.[60][61] Woodson is the eighth defensive player inducted into the Ring of Honor, and just the second who played in the 1990s era, along with Charles Haley.[59]

NFL career statistics

Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
1992 DAL 16 0 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1993 DAL 16 102 85 17 0.0 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 9
1994 DAL 16 78 58 20 0.0 1 1 0 5 140 28 94T 1 10
1995 DAL 16 94 82 12 0.0 1 0 0 2 46 23 37T 1 7
1996 DAL 16 78 61 17 3.0 2 1 0 5 43 9 21 0 9
1997 DAL 14 73 52 21 2.0 3 2 0 1 14 14 14 0 9
1998 DAL 16 77 64 13 3.0 3 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 10
1999 DAL 15 70 58 12 1.0 1 0 0 2 5 3 5 0 13
2000 DAL 11 71 61 10 0.0 1 0 0 2 12 6 12 0 4
2001 DAL 16 87 76 11 0.0 1 1 0 3 11 4 6 0 7
2002 DAL 10 49 40 9 0.0 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2
2003 DAL 16 85 65 20 1.0 1 2 0 1 -2 -2 -2 0 15
Career[62] 178 864 702 162 11.0 17 11 5 23 271 12 94T 2 95

Style of play

The only Cowboys player to suit up for both Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells, Woodson had a rare ability to play both the run and the pass. According to an article from July 3, 2009, on DallasCowboys.com, "While Woodson delivered his share of big-time hits from the safety position, he was always the team's slot cornerback, covering receivers inside, which is considered to be the toughest spot on the field. In today's game, most teams put their best cover corner in the slot, but Woodson did that for years from the safety position. With that, it helped the Cowboys stop the run as well, having a safety that close to the line of scrimmage without being a liability in coverage."[63]

"Woodson had the run-stopping skills of a strong safety and the pass-coverage ability of a free safety. His ability to cover slot receivers made a significant difference for the defense."[64]

Gerry Fraley, The Dallas Morning News

In a December 30, 2004, article published in Knight Ridder newspapers, Clarence Hill described Woodson as "the most versatile safety in the league and arguably the best in (Dallas Cowboys) history."

An October 31, 1994, article in Sports Illustrated described Woodson as "a masher who doubles as an outside linebacker in passing situations" and "the most productive player on the best defense in the NFL." According to the author, "A combination of strength, brute-force hitting and speed—4.35 seconds in the 40—makes Woodson the most versatile player on the Super Bowl champions."[65]

Former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson described Woodson as "a player who could hit, tackle and take charge of a secondary. He did all those things with authority. He made his presence known on the football field, but played within the scheme and played smart."[66]

He is generally regarded as the greatest safety in Cowboys history [67]

Personal life

Woodson has two sons, Darren Jr. and Jaden, and a daughter, Miranda from a previous marriage, and resides in Dallas, where he serves as a board member of

First Take
.

Woodson grew up in Phoenix and was the youngest of four siblings raised by his mother, Freddie Luke. He was a fan of the

New York Times article he couldn't stand the Cowboys. He decided to hit some golf balls while waiting to be drafted in 1992 and had his friend page him when he was selected. His friend told Woodson, "There's good news and bad news." Woodson asked for the bad news first and his friend replied "You were drafted by the Cowboys." He replied "I don't care. I'm just happy I was picked."[70] Woodson was childhood friends with Phillippi Sparks and Kevin Miniefield and played alongside them at Arizona State. During his college career, he earned a degree in criminal justice
at Arizona State.

In October 2011 Woodson became a founder of GuideHop, an online marketplace for guided tours and activities.[71]

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  67. ^ [1]
  68. ^ Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas » Board of Directors
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  71. ^ Meet the Team

External links