Legendary defensive back Charles Woodson is one of the greatest Raiders of all-time and deserves to go into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 15 finalists, and for fans of the Las Vegas Raiders, one named stood out among all others. Raiders legend Charles Woodson was named as a finalist on his first ballot, and he deserves to take his place when immediately eligible among the greatest players to ever play the game.
A true Raider, Woodson embodied what it meant to wear the Silver and Black. He was a true do-it-all player, who put up incredible numbers during his time in the NFL between two stints with the Raiders, and time in Green Bay in between. He racked up 60 interceptions, and twenty sacks, becoming the first player to ever achieve that feat.
Also, his 13 defensive touchdowns are tied for the most in the history of the league.
Woodson has always been one of the fan favorites of Raider Nation because of the style of play, His tenacity, his approach to the game, and his respect and admiration for the greats that came before him will forever make him an all-time Raider. The fact that he came back to finish out his career in Oakland was the cherry on top.
Raiders draft a legend
C-Wood was drafted by the Raiders at a time where the organization was looking for that next big defensive player, the next superstar, and Woodson was that guy. In his rookie year, he was voted Defensive Rookie of the Year, a sign of all of the greatness that was yet to come from No. 24.
Woodson was an instant star in Oakland, headlining a defense full of high profile names, Woodson shined above. When Woodson left there, was a huge void for the Raiders, and Raiders fans felt it.
In Green Bay, Woodson continued his march towards Canton, racking up a Defensive Player of the Year honor, and winning a Super Bowl. Once his contract ran out in Green Bay, he came back home, and during his free-agent visit, fans surrounded the facility, waving signs, and chanting RAIDERS at the top of their lungs.
Charles Woodson will forever be recognized as one of the greatest Raiders of all time, he is one of the greatest players of all time, and is arguably the greatest all-around defensive back of all time. Now, Raider Nation waits for Super Bowl Sunday for Charles Woodson to take his rightful place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in his home state of Ohio.