Rod Woodson Thankful He Wasn't Drafted by Cleveland: "I Would've Been Miserable" (Steelers History)
Steelers History

Rod Woodson Thankful He Wasn't Drafted by Cleveland: "I Would've Been Miserable"

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Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers released another video on their YouTube channel among the "Time Machine" series featuring Steeler Nation Radio host, Stan Savran. This time, he sat down with none other than former Steelers defensive back and 6x First Team All-Pro, Rod Woodson.

Woodson was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1993, but spoke about his holdout his rookie season, learning from Hall of Fame DB Donnie Shell, possibly being drafted by the Cleveland Browns, and much more.

"I held out until October 28th [1987]. We were trying to figure out the number, the deal, we really couldn't come to the dollar agreement that I expected. I thought I was going to go a little bit higher in the draft. I slipped down, which I'm glad I did slip down to 10th overall, and I didn't go 4th or 5th, I would've been in Cleveland somewhere. I would've been miserable."

 

Check out more of the clip here:

 

Woodson also landed three Second Team All-Pro selections, was an 11x Pro Bowler, and was a Super Bowl Champion as a member of the Baltimore Ravens in 2001. He spoke about being surrounded by legends like "Mean" Joe Greene and Chuck Noll when he first entered the league, and spoke about how Bill Cowher gave him an opportunity to stay on the active roster after he tore his ACL in 1995.

"He's [Bill Cowher] probably the only coach out of all the 32 teams, that would've allowed me to stay on the active roster. He really is. The rest of them? I would've been on IR [Injured Reserve]."

 

Woodson would end his 17-season NFL career with 71 interceptions and 17 touchdowns, both as a defensive back and a return specialist. Truly one of the greatest players to ever don the black and gold.

 

To watch his full interview on YouTube with Savran, click here.

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