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In 2006, Woodson and the Packers were determined to prove the rest of the NFL wrong. Woodson offered the Packers the skills of a top cornerback in the league. The Packers offered Woodson a spot to focus on football and get his life together. Oddly enough, Charles Woodson and the Packers turned out to be a perfect match for each other. No nightlife, nothing to do, and that’s what I kept thinking about. I’d never really been to Green Bay and all I ever heard from people who played there was, ‘You won’t want to play there.’ I just heard it was no place for a black man. Woodson spoke about his skepticism of Green Bay and life in Northern Wisconsin ( via Fox Sports): For Woodson, coming to Green Bay wasn't a choice, but the only option for him to remain at cornerback. The Packers broke from their norm to pursue the veteran cornerback.
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CHARLES WOODSON FREE
A big-name free agent with some baggage and the Green Bay Packers seemed to be the unlikeliest pairing. When Woodson signed with the Packers as a free agent in 2006, many in the football world, including Packers fans, were shocked. Woodson's work ethic and commitment to the game were questioned. Tension built as the Raiders won five games in 2004 and four games in 2005. The next two seasons for Woodson were filled with injuries and an inability to regain the form from the beginning of his NFL career. In 2003, Woodson managed to play in 15 games and played very well, despite the Raiders going 4-12 on the season. The timing wasn't right for Woodson as the Raiders lost, 48-21, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite missing half of the season, Woodson started in the playoffs and helped lead the Raiders to the Super Bowl. In 2002, Woodson struggled with injuries and missed eight games after playing in all 64 during the first four years of his career.
CHARLES WOODSON PRO
He earned trips to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons as he led the Raiders defense to success. 4-overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, Woodson won the league's rookie of the year award for the 1998 season. After being selected by the Oakland Raiders with the No. Woodson's NFL career started with a bang. The memories from those seven years remain and tell the story that defines Charles Woodson. Woodson's time with the Packers was truly enjoyable to watch as he rose to greatness. That said, it's painful to see a player that gave so much to the team, community and fans be released. From a business standpoint, the move makes complete sense. The close to Woodson's Packers career is extremely bittersweet. Charles will always be a member of the Packers family and we look forward to his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A once-in-a-generation talent as a player, he is also a great leader and ambassador for the organization off the field. 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. We are grateful for all that Charles has given to the Green Bay Packers over the past seven years. The signing became one of the best free agent additions in Packers history.Īfter releasing Woodson on Friday afternoon, Packers GM Ted Thompson had this to say about the star corner: Seven seasons ago, the Packers added Woodson in a high-risk, high-reward signing. By releasing cornerback Charles Woodson, the Green Bay Packers closed the door on of the most fascinating Packers stories in recent memory.