The careers of Oakland Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning have gone in different directions over the years, but the pair also share a common bond. Manning finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Woodson in 1997 — on a related note, the Heisman finalist list that year is pretty spectacular — and both players were top-five picks in the 1998 NFL draft.
Yet, through 18 seasons in the pros, Woodson had never picked off Manning. “He’s eluded me for 18 years,” Woodson said on NFL Network this past week (via Lindsay Jones, USA Today).
Until now, that is. Late in the second quarter, and with Denver in the red zone, Woodson picked off Manning in the end zone and returned the ball out to about the 7-yard line.
https://twitter.com/NFLIive/status/653325989297176576
It’s a throw Manning would love to have back, but it’s kind of a cool moment for two players — okay, for one player — nearing 40 years old who have had prolific careers dating back to their days in college. For this to have been Woodson’s first interception against Manning is almost surreal, even though they’ve rarely played against one another.
The 97 Heisman Winner just picked off the Heisman runner-up…in 2015. #BlueKnowIt
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) October 11, 2015
But Woodson wasn’t done. In the third quarter, Woodson picked off Manning again, becoming the oldest player with a mult-interception game since the 1970 merger, according to ESPN.
https://twitter.com/TheCauldron/status/653336735011762177/photo/1
That’ll make for a good story when both players make the Hall of Fame one day.
(Via NFL)
