Charles Woodson Announces Retirement

Future Hall-of-Fame cornerback Charles Woodson told reporters today that he will retire at the end of the season. His final home game—and potentially the Raiders’ final home game in Oakland—will be Christmas Eve against the Chargers, while his final game will be January 3rd at Kansas City.

“It will be emotional. I’ve been emotional all day, so it will be that way Thursday for Raider Nation,” Woodson told reporters. “It was really fun coming back here and playing, so it will be a pretty emotional day.”

Woodson, 39, was drafted fourth overall by the Raiders back in 1998 and spent his first eight seasons with the team, racking up four Pro Bowl selections. He then moved onto Green Bay for seven seasons, which included four more Pro Bowl selections and a victory in Super Bowl XLV.

That was about the time Woodson should’ve been too old to keep up with speedy receivers. Instead he returned to the Raiders where he has been an above average safety and mentor for three seasons, with five interceptions in 14 games so far this year. With 65 interceptions for his career, he’s tied for fifth most all time.

Photo via AP