Charles Woodson's Last Football Game

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on

You probably missed it, because the Pro Bowl is horrendous, but Charles Woodson played his very last football game tonight. They did a nice little tribute to him at the end, with Jon Gruden reflecting on what an honor it was to coach him.

It's not ideal that his final game was a beyond-meaningless Pro Bowl, but let's pause to honor the occasion.

No. 2, you were the greatest Wolverine of my lifetime. Godspeed and good luck.

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the Glove

January 31st, 2016 at 10:49 PM ^

My childhood hero has retired. I was in 7th grade in 97 and even still today I have his michigan fat head up on my wall in my classroom. He will always be the greatest in my eyes.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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Ryno2317

January 31st, 2016 at 10:55 PM ^

I was in my second year of law school in 97 and was at the Game that year. He was so amazing and I screamed so loud when he returned that punt that my brother leaned over to be and said "is he your boyfriend?" Best player I ever saw in college.

Joined: 10/14/2013

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TheBG

January 31st, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^

Guy is a winner through and through Nation Champ Super Bowl champ does great things to give back to UofM hospitals etc. The world especially the sports world has been blessed to have Mr. Woodson.

Joined: 01/30/2016

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bacon

January 31st, 2016 at 11:10 PM ^

GOAT. Champion in college, champion in the pros, and champion in life. I hope he is involved in the Michigan program going forward in some way, even if it's just being a fixture at games and whatever.

Joined: 01/04/2009

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RobM_24

January 31st, 2016 at 11:15 PM ^

He's probably the most decorated player of his era, although Cam Newton would probably surpass his list of accomplishments if he gets a Super Bowl win.

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TheBG

January 31st, 2016 at 11:25 PM ^

I respect his game great athlete but he does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Woodson. Not here not now not ever. It is called humility. Until he learns that and plays at the level his is now for decades. Even then probably not. I assume you mean on field accomplishments but it just does not feel rite seeing those two paired together.

Joined: 01/30/2016

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RobM_24

January 31st, 2016 at 11:32 PM ^

Well, regardless of how well he is or isn't liked, his achievements might be unmatched. JuCo National Champ, BCS Champ, Heisman winner, #1 overall pick, almost definitely an NFL MVP award, and possibly a Super Bowl Championship. There's not much left to be done to top that list.

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TheBG

January 31st, 2016 at 11:45 PM ^

The answer to this is my point and one of many differences between him and Mr. Woodson. I do not think Charles would go back and redo things wrongly to get that juco championship to match the great Newtons accomplishments. All youth make mistakes and im glad Newton seems to have grown up a bit but then again millionaires do not need to steal. He is no Woodson not even on his best day.

Joined: 01/30/2016

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RobM_24

January 31st, 2016 at 11:50 PM ^

Woodson is my favorite player of all-time, so I'm not trying to detract from his greatness. However, I used to challenge people to name someone with more accomplishments, because I myself couldn't think of anyone. Cam could be that guy if he wins. Woodson wasn't #1 overall or MVP. Again, I'm basing this strictly on hardware.

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TheBG

February 1st, 2016 at 12:43 AM ^

Think of the fact he was a juco. Then think of the fact he got to pick which team he played for post juco and see what oline defense etc. They had already built without him. Does he win a bcs championship with the Florida team left there post Tebow? Then name a db or safety who was taken number one overall or has been a nfl mvp. All of this matters and is another reason his accompishments do not outweigh Woodson in my opinion. He is a great athlete though and has earned his hardwear on the field. Go Blue! Goodnight

Joined: 01/30/2016

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DMill2782

February 1st, 2016 at 8:33 AM ^

was NFL Defensive MVP in 2009. 

Defensive players don't win the overall MVP anymore. A DB would have to have 25 INTs before they would even consider giving it to him. The Defensive MVP is equal to the NFL MVP in my eyes.

Alan Page, a DT in 1971 for the Vikings, is the only defensive player to ever win the NFL MVP. He will probably be the last.

Joined: 01/21/2011

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RobM_24

February 1st, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^

Football players with the most accomplishments. Woodson checked the boxes on almost every accomplishment -- College Championship, Heisman, Super Bowl, Defensive POY, (soon to be) HOF. I couldn't think of anyone with a more extensive list of accomplishments until Cam (if he wins).

Joined: 01/27/2014

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PopeLando

January 31st, 2016 at 11:21 PM ^

When was the last time a DB had a career as long as his? My theory is that he is truly immortal, and is only quitting football to focus on battling other immortals for the Prize :)

Joined: 08/01/2015

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TNBlue1977

January 31st, 2016 at 11:35 PM ^

I'm a lifelong Michigan fan and for those of you too young to remember, there was a time when Michigan was considered somewhat of a joke in certain circles because they hadn't won a national championship since 1948. They came close a few years but just couldn't get it done and for as great as Bo was, he wasn't able to win one. All those great teams under Bo, Mo and Lloyd with all of those great players but never the championship, and for a while, it didn't seem like they would ever win one, coming up with a series of bad losses when winning any one of them would have led them to a national title:

-Brown throwing all of those picks against an ND team that Michigan outplayed 

-Bo kicking to Rocket TWICE...TWICE!!!!!!!!!!

-Losing to a top 5 Miami(YTM) at home when they were up by 2 scores in the 4th quarter

-MSU tripping Desmond on the final play of the game

-That fucking Hail Mary that I refuse to watch to this day

-Getting rocked by Washington in the Rose bowl

I can go on and on with the bad losses but if you weren't there to watch them you can't understand how frustrating it was being a Michigan fan. Every year they fielded a top 5 team, and every year they found a way to come up short. Any conversation you had with an opposing fan ended with them saying "Michigan's overrated, they haven't won a national championship since 1948", and I could never find a way to come back at them because it was true. For a very long time, Michigan WAS overrated.

Then in 1997, Charles Woodson, more than any other player, changed all of that. He was the championship player that past Michigan teams just didn't have. Every time Michigan looked like they would lose a game and find a way to piss away another year he was there:

-He set the tone against a top 5 Colorado team that year with his play and attitude. It didn't matter that Colorado was considered the better team. Michigan had the best player on the field and that helped the team confidence.

-That interception against a very good, Nick Saban coached, MSU team.

-The rock of that dominant defense against PSU.

-The end zone INT and kick return against OSU that sealed the Heisman

-And the end zone pick against Washington State when it looked like Michigan was about to be down 14-0 and were about to piss away another national championship with a Rose Bowl loss.

Now, for whatever else other fans can say about Michigan in recent years, fans can always point back to that 1997 team, and then ask "when was the last time your team won the nationa championship?"; "when was the last time you had a Heisman winner?"; and "has your school ever had a defensive player win the Heisman?"

Thanks, Charles. If I live 50 more years I don't think I'll ever see a better player wear the Maize and Blue.

Joined: 12/03/2013

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Sllepy81

January 31st, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^

our schools current all time favorite by the majority. Says a lot about his play but also character. His first college game was also my first UM game. Thanks for the memories, probably one of the few athletes who interacts on Facebook with fans also, made my day answering a question I asked him. Love the guy, now he gets the best part of life, nothing beats watching your kids grow up.

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LandryHD

February 1st, 2016 at 12:18 AM ^

#2 has always been my number in football and basketball. I'm greedy and don't want it retired cause I love seeing it on the field but he certainly does deserve that honor.



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Joined: 07/04/2008

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Prince Lover

February 1st, 2016 at 6:17 AM ^

Thank you for the memories. Especially my personal favorite, the pic of you with the rose in your mouth after the Game. '97 was a great year!! The Colorado game, the MSU game, the Penn St game, the Iowa game, and of course the Game. Man what a year. Couldn't have had that without our Heisman winner!

Joined: 07/01/2013

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MGoBlueFan90

February 1st, 2016 at 6:59 AM ^

Truly one of the greatest players and a great Michigan man! I'll always be a huge fan of his. Thanks for the memories!

Joined: 02/09/2014

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coachdad

February 1st, 2016 at 10:02 AM ^

One of the first guys I remember with swag. Usually had the type of game that matched his persona and confidence. Great big game player, some players disappear in the big game but not him. Outstanding NFL career, and we will definitely miss him.

Joined: 12/10/2015

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sansan

February 1st, 2016 at 11:16 AM ^

We were freshman together in 1995.  He lived down the hall from me. West Quad Allen-Rumsey represent!  Haha... He was super shy his freshman year.  Always walked around with his head lowered.  By Sophomore year he was the BMOC.  Favorite play of all time was still the MSU one handed interception.

Loved rushing the field in '97 and grabbing a piece of the sod.  It's a bag of dirt now in a ziplock somewhere at my parents house.  Haha

It was actually a pretty awesome year in the dorm that year as Tom Malchow lived next door.  Olympic gold medal winner swimmer on one side.  Woodson down the hall...

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