The next down Charles Woodson plays in an NFL game, he will not be donning the green and gold of the Green Bay Packers.
Following a seven-year run in Titletown, the 36-year-old Woodson, the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was released by the franchise on Friday.
“We are grateful for all that Charles Woodson has given to the Green Bay Packers over the past seven years,” noted Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, who signed the Fremont, Ohio native in April 2006, said in a statement. “He has been an integral part of the Packers’ success and our Super Bowl title in 2010 would not have been possible without his contributions. A once-in-a-generation talent as a player, he is also a great leader and ambassador for the organization off the field.”
Woodson, the winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1997 during his junior season at Michigan, registered 38 interceptions (nine of which were returned for touchdowns), 5.5 sacks and 382 tackles during his tenure with the Packers.
Despite missing nine games during the 2012 regular season with a broken collarbone and transitioning from his customary role as cornerback to safety, Woodson’s agent, Carl Poston, noted that his client still has plenty of football left in him.
“It’s part of the business,” cited Poston, as reported by ESPN.com. “I just talked to him. He sounds like he has a lot of football left. He’d like to play for a contender, win another Super Bowl.”
Second all time in NFL history with 11 interception returns for touchdowns (trailing only Hall of Famer Rod Woodson’s 12), Woodson, who signed a five-year deal with Green Bay prior to the 2010 season that was worth as much as $55 million, was slated to make $9 million in 2013 and would have counted for $10 million against the team’s salary cap.
Selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fourth pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Woodson, the 1998 Defensive Rookie of the Year, over his 14-year career, has been named to eight Pro Bowls; garnered First-Team All Pro accolades on three occasions (1999, 2009, 2011); played in 206 contests (19th among active players); and led the league in interceptions during the 2011 season with seven picks.
Noted Woodson, via a text message to ESPNWisconsin.com, of his time with the Packers, according to Yahoo! Sports, “We had a good run.”
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