In 1987, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a organization-changing decision by selecting Rod Woodson as their 10th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Woodson would go on to become one of the greatest football players of all time, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. However, before his remarkable NFL career took flight, Woodson found himself entangled in a murky situation during his college days at Purdue University.
Audiorama
Dan Patrick sat down the Steelers legend Rod Woodson for an interview.
Recently, Woodson sat down with Dan Patrick for an exclusive interview on the Audiorama YouTube channel. During this candid conversation, Patrick brought up a particular incident from Woodson's college days—a decision that would later haunt him. It was a time when Woodson signed a deal that involved accepting money from an agent, a clear violation of the rules at that time.
The agent in question was Norby Walters, and Woodson recounted the circumstances that led him to take the money, fully aware of the consequences.
"That was the same year my dad lost his job," Woodson began.
Walters, along with his business partner Lloyd Bloom, represented a significant presence in the sports agency landscape of the 1980s. Together, they founded World Sports & Entertainment, a pioneering agency that operated from 1984 to 1987.
Woodson's voice trembled as he continued his story, revealing the real reason behind his controversial decision.
"They poured out a boatload of money sitting on our table. I didn't want to do it, and you know, my mom started crying, but I thought, I have to do it. I don't want to, but I'll do it for you guys, so I took the money and regretted it the whole time."
Walters and Bloom had a reputation for targeting college athletes from financially struggling families and offering them covert agreements according to Patrick. In Woodson's case, the timing was crucial, as his family faced financial hardship due to his father's job loss. The money he received was not for personal gain; instead, it was an attempt to ease his family's financial burden.
"I took the money, and they gave me an allotment every month for the family. My mom and dad took it. I never received any of the money. I gave it straight to them."
Patrick highlighted the shady practices of Walters and Bloom, who often exploited the vulnerability of college athletes and their families. Woodson nodded in agreement, disclosing a disturbing revelation.
"They found out afterward that Walters had connections to the Columbo crime syndicate."
This revelation added another layer of complexity to an already controversial situation.
Woodson paid a steep price for his involvement with Walters. His eligibility in track and field was revoked, but fortunately for him, his football season had already concluded by the time news of the scandal emerged.
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Steelers' Rod Woodson.
Steelers Star Gets Saved By His Friend
However, Woodson's close friend Eugene Parker, an agent and fellow Purdue alumnus, played a pivotal role in extricating him from further trouble. Parker's intervention ultimately allowed Woodson to move on from the scandal, and he would later become Woodson's agent.
Today, with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college sports, situations like Woodson's would not be as much of an issue. The landscape of college athletics has evolved significantly since the 1980s, providing athletes with more opportunities to benefit from their talents and hard work.
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Steelers great, Rod Woodson, wears an alternate jersey for Pittsburgh.
In hindsight, Woodson's decision to accept money from Walters was a product of difficult circumstances and a desire to support his struggling family. While it may have casted a brief shadow over the end of his college career, it did not define the legendary path that would follow, culminating in an illustrious NFL career and a lasting legacy in the world of football.
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