The term ‘athlete’ may have been redefined by a particular Michigan Wolverine defensive back in 1997.
His name? Charles Woodson. A natural talent from Fremont, Ohio, a mere 106 miles from Columbus, Ohio, which is known as Buckeye country. To see a kid that close to Ohio State University don the Maize & Blue of the University of Michigan was something incredibly unique.
As a junior in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Woodson faced long, incredible odds that ’97 season to walk away as a Heisman winner as defensive player. An award that debuted in 1935 had not seen a primarily defensive winner up to that point, not to mention quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf entered the season as heavy favorites for the trophy.
What made the historic season for Woodson and the Wolverines even more prestigious was the amount of turbulence the team had to endure during 1997. Before the start of the season, Michigan had before them the #1 toughest schedule out of 112 Division I-A teams that season based on records of their opponents from the previous season. Facing Woodson and the Wolverines were games against #7 Colorado, #15 Iowa, #14 Michigan State, #3 Penn State, #24 Wisconsin, and #4 Ohio State.
Even with that mountain of a schedule ahead of them, the Wolverines went undefeated that season, 12-0, thanks to the guidance and leadership of a rare talent.
Woodson totaled seven interceptions on the season, 231 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and 283 punt return yards along with one legendary punt return against Ohio State in the regular season finale:
That historic win against Ohio State will forever be attached with the image of Woodson holding a rose inside of his mouth as the Wolverines won the Big Ten conference that season and set sailed to the Rose Bowl to take on Ryan Leaf and the Washington State Cougars. A contest in which the Wolverines capped off a hard-fought, legendary season with a 21-16 victory.
Woodson received 272 more votes than the runner-up Manning in the Heisman race and is the last player to win the Heisman that is not a quarterback or running back. Woodson also won the award over Leaf, a game-breaking wide receiver named Randy Moss and a legend in the making in running back Ricky Williams.
What was unique about Woodson was not only his elite cornerback play but his versatility to impact special teams as a returner and provide a spark on offense for a Michigan offense that was in need of an infusion. His style of play paved the way for current day Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu and 2016 Heisman finalist Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers.
Woodson’s impact on the game of football will forever be remembered. Thanks to his memorable 1997 Heisman season.
