Charles Woodson IS a true Michigan Man

Submitted by Don on
Not that I had any doubt, but on some occasions during CW's pro career some Michigan fans have grumbled about Woodson's reference to other schools in his life during pre-game introductions on TV. Some have even questioned his allegiance to Michigan as a result. There should be no doubt whatsoever now. The print version of AnnArbor.com is carrying a story this morning that Woodson is donating $2 million to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. The money is the first donation toward the $15 million needed to create space and purchase equipment for researchers doing early-stage work to help children with cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, and autism. (For a reason I can't fathom, I can't find the article online at AnnArbor.com, which is freaking ridiculous since they've allegedly embraced the internet, but I assume it will appear when their employees wake up from their naps.)
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Quail2theVict0r

November 26th, 2009 at 8:57 AM ^

and this is supposed to be a secret until today. You can't find an article on it because he's going to announce it to everyone at the Lions game today. So expect to see the press cover it by tonight.

Joined: 12/01/2008

MGoPoints: 16503

Blue in Yarmouth

November 26th, 2009 at 9:02 AM ^

Anyone that calls into question his allegiance to UM is an ass. Favorite player of all time for me. Damn, I wish we had him back! Well done Charles. Anyone who makes a contribution to a charity like that is great in my book.

Joined: 02/18/2009

MGoPoints: 6522

Don

November 26th, 2009 at 9:04 AM ^

That would explain the lack of internet news, but then it doesn't make sense for the print version to have it. Regardless, it's a true indication of what kind of man Woodson is. For me, it's far more important than the Heisman or whatever else he's done on the field.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148288

Njia

November 26th, 2009 at 9:31 AM ^

C.S. Mott saved my daughter's life when she was only 2 days old. Quite literally, I owe them a debt of gratitude far beyond whatever I paid as the final bill. Even for a player like Woodson, who has earned many millions in his professional career, $2M is a lot of money. Whether he is writing a check from his own bank account, or it represents his efforts at collecting donations, this is much more than symbolic. God bless you, Charles Woodson. You've just become my favorite Wolverine. Ever.

Joined: 09/15/2009

MGoPoints: 35773

Maximinus Thrax

November 26th, 2009 at 10:50 AM ^

Often there will be announcements that a certain individual or corporation has made a $25,000 donation to such and such an organization. Of course it is always a nice gesture, but for a corporation or individual that is making millions of dollars a year, I am always sort of like yawn. It's politics or PR or whatever. But this is huge. Bravo Charles. He is really making a difference and giving back to the community in a major way.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 5182

Njia

November 26th, 2009 at 11:15 PM ^

Truly, it is one of the things for which I am always "thankful". The thumbnail version of the story: My daughter, our first child, was born in 1997 (a very good year in many respects). My wife and I brought her home after just a day in the hospital. The following afternoon, my sister, a BSN/RN, happened to stop by our house to see her new niece. My sister's first words after, "beautiful baby": "She feels warm." My wife and I hadn't noticed. A quick check showed a temp of 100.4 F. Not stratospheric for a typical child, but potentially fatal in a newborn. We took her back to UM Hospital immediately. After exhausting all other obvious, potential diagnoses, and fearing sepsis, the doctors admitted her to Mott. Sepsis is a disease in which the blood is overwhelmed by bacteria, and can lead to multiple organ failure if untreated. That led to two weeks at Mott on IV antibiotics. My wife did not leave the hospital for more than an hour the entire time. We both stayed in either our daughter's room or at the Med Inn. Finally, we took her back home, and continued to give her a maintenance antibiotic for the next six months. Today, she's completely healthy and bears not a single scar from the four spinal taps she endured as a newborn. Needless to say, I am eternally grateful to those doctors and nurses. They're the best. Andiamo blu!

Joined: 09/15/2009

MGoPoints: 35773

Wolverine Convert

November 26th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^

Our daughter had a brain tumor removed at Mott nearly two years ago and is doing great. I saw first hand that they perform medical miracles every day. God Bless Charles Woodson for realizing there is more to life than the bling and glitz that other big time athletes seem to worship. Regardless of how much he has made in his career this is still a huge gift. This will have a positive impact on more families than most people can imagine. CW lives up to the billing "Leaders and Best!"

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 498

Don

November 26th, 2009 at 10:39 AM ^

We all love Michigan football and athletics, and on occasion they can take on an importance all out of proportion to their true meaning. All of it fades completely away in comparison to what Wolverine Convert and Njia have gone through. Nothing is more important than family, and to you two I say Happy Thanksgiving. I know the giving thanks part will be done especially well in your homes today.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148288

M-Wolverine

November 26th, 2009 at 11:26 AM ^

I came on today JUST to see if this was posted...and read other stuff first when I saw it was... But it's the headline of the Sports Section in the Detroit News, but not on their website yet. And +1 for wearing #2 to dinner today!

Joined: 10/04/2009

MGoPoints: 42190

Tater

November 26th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^

This is probably a direct result of the UM tradition of football and basketball players visiting the hospital to cheer kids up on a regular basis. Funny, though, that the media never wants to cover that. From what I hear, Juwan Howard practically lived there while he played at UM, but you never really hear a lot about it. Anyway, this is yet another class move by another classy UM grad. Thank you, Mr Woodson. If they had a Heisman for performance in the "human being" catagory, you could win another one today.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

SysMark

November 26th, 2009 at 12:11 PM ^

He may be a little surly but this says it all about CW. The two greatest Michigan players since I became a fan in the 70s - Anthony Carter and Charles Woodson.

Joined: 11/15/2008

MGoPoints: 21688

SysMark

November 26th, 2009 at 12:49 PM ^

I thought about it and he could be the third - very fair of you to point it out. I just think those two stand alone - Woodson in all three phases - D, O ST. Carter was one of the great players of a generation - I believe he was way ahead of his time and would clearly be a Heisman candidate today. At this level it is a matter of preference and opinion and I appreciate yours. Thanks

Joined: 11/15/2008

MGoPoints: 21688