What Is Charles Woodson's Net Worth?
Charles Woodson is a retired American professional football player who has a net worth of $35 million. Charles Woodson first became well-known nationally thanks to his contributions as a college football cornerback for Michigan, where he would lead the Wolverines to a national championship (1997). He won the Heisman Trophy in the same year. After college, Charles went on to earn around $100 million playing in the NFL from 1998 to 2015. Woodson was a self-proclaimed "two-way player," playing both offense and defense in college. He also made significant contributions to the Raiders' secondary efforts during his professional playing days.
Early Life
Charles Woodson was born Charles Cameron Woodson on October 7, 1976, in Fremont, Ohio. Woodson played for Ross High School and was named "Mr. Football" of Ohio in 1994 for his efforts as a cornerback and running back. He finished his high school football career earning school records for rushing yards (3,861) as well as overall scoring (466 points). Charles was also selected for the "USA Today" All-America team and was named a "Parade" High School All-American, recording 2,028 yards and 230 points in order to earn such prestigious honors. Many college teams recruited Woodson as a running back, whereas Michigan was more interested in his work in the defensive back position. In high school, Woodson was also a decorated basketball player and a relay sprinter and long jumper on the track and field team.
College Career
Woodson attended the University of Michigan, playing under coach Lloyd Carr for his Michigan Wolverines team (1995-1997). Charles earned his spot as a starter after his second game of his inaugural freshman season, playing for 34 straight games as a Michigan mainstay. Woodson also made significant contributions returning punts for the Wolverines and even occasionally played at the wide receiver spot.
Woodson helped lead the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997 and was also the winner of top Heisman Trophy honors, which, at that time, made him the first ever player operating in NCAA Division I-A football to receive such a prestigious honor.
NFL Career
In the NFL, Charles made significant defensive contributions to the Raiders and Green Bay Packers teams. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1998, and he stayed with the team until 2005. Woodson was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year during his first season with the Oakland Raiders.
During his rookie season, Woodson started on the defensive side in all sixteen games. He was the first Raider rookie to achieve this feat since 1971. Charles chalked up 64 tackles in his first season, and he was ranked third in the league in the coveted interceptions category (earning 5 interceptions). Woodson even managed to return one interception for a touchdown — which took place against the Arizona Cardinals. That year, he also made his first Pro Bowl appearance.
During his second professional season, Woodson finished with 61 total tackles, not to mention a fumble recovery for a pick-six. He would go on to make his second Pro Bowl appearance and was named an All-Pro defensive back by the Associated Press.
During the 2000 season, Woodson suffered from turf toe, but still started all sixteen games for the Raiders, showing his commitment to the team, although he was unable to practice consistently. Despite his injury, he finished the year with a career-high 79 tackles. He also intercepted four passes, had three forced fumbles, and ended up recovering one of them. Again, Charles was named to the All-Pro team — this time by "Sports Illustrated."
In 2001, during Woodson's fourth season with the Raiders, he started all sixteen games once again. This would mark the fourth consecutive year that he played in every game of a regular season. Woodson ended up finishing with two sacks, one interception, and another forced fumble, but this time he also added one blocked field goal to his resume. That season Charles made his first appearance as a punt returner in the NFL. He returned four punts and advanced the ball for 47 yards total.
In April 2006, Woodson signed a seven-year, $52 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. He played for the Packers from 2006 to 2012, helping them win the 2011 Super Bowl with a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and adding much-needed firepower to their defensive and secondary efforts.
Charles played his final years with the Raiders from 2013 to 2015.
Career Earnings
During his NFL career, Woodson earned $98 million from NFL salaries.
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Personal Life
Woodson considers himself to be an avid wine lover, and he partnered with winemaker Rick Ruiz, who helped him develop a signature wine label "Twentyfour by Charles Woodson."
Woodson's love of vino could be said to have trickled into his personal life — he's been arrested twice: once in 2000 for DUI, as well as in 2004 for public intoxication. Charles had refused to get out of a woman's car.
Woodson and his wife, April Dixon Woodson, have two sons together.
Charles made headlines on November 26, 2009, when he contributed $2 million to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in the name of pediatric research.
Additional Accolades
Some of Woodson's additional career accomplishments include honors as a 2009 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the NFL interception leader in 2009 and the NFL interception co-leader in 2011.
