Oakland Raiders: Top-20 players of the 21st Century
By Brad Weiss
Charles Woodson (1998-2005, 2013-2015)
Like the aforementioned Tim Brown, when it comes to the history of the Oakland Raiders franchise, there are few names that go before Charles Woodson. Like Brown, Woodson came to the Raiders after winning the Heisman Trophy, as he was the first predominantly defensive player to take home the award in college football history due to his exploits at Michigan.
For the Raiders, Woodson became one of the better defensive backs in team history, starting his career with the team from 1998 through 2005, and then returning to end his career from 2013 through 2015. A incredibly gifted athlete, Woodson went to five Pro Bowls as a member of the Silver and Black, although he won his only Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
Still, Woodson has cemented his place as an all-time Raider, and was a member of one of the more controversial plays in team history. It was Woodson who had the strip sack on Tom Brady during the infamous “Tuck Rule” game, and we all know how that play should have been ruled. It won’t be long until he is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.