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- Mar 19, 2019
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GREEN BAY – Charles Woodson didn't play the majority of his 18-year career for the Packers.
But it can be argued his seven years in Green Bay are what made him a Hall of Famer.
Woodson was officially elected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021 on Saturday, earning the honor in his first year of eligibility.
The nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time first-team All-Pro defensive back entered the league in 1998 as Oakland's first-round draft pick, No. 4 overall, fresh off winning the Heisman Trophy at the University of Michigan. He played his first eight seasons, and his last three, with the Raiders.
In between he fashioned a wildly productive seven-year run with the Packers (2006-12) that saw him win NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2009, help lead the Packers to the Super Bowl XLV championship in 2010, and put his name in several places in Green Bay's storied record book.
During his time in Green Bay, Woodson recorded 38 of his 65 career interceptions and 11½ of his 20 sacks. He also scored 10 of his 14 defensive touchdowns in a Packers uniform.
He led the NFL in interceptions in both 2009 (with nine) and in '11 (with seven). He earned two of his four first-team All-Pro selections in Green Bay and four of his nine Pro Bowl bids.
His 10 career defensive TDs – nine on interception returns – are both franchise records, well above the previous marks of seven in each category. His 38 interceptions as a member of the Packers are tied for fourth in team history with LeRoy Butler, who also was a Hall of Fame finalist this year but is still awaiting selection to Canton.