Nine-Time Pro Bowler will be part of Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown

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Q&A on ESPN Front Row

Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl defensive back Charles Woodson is joining ESPN as a NFL analyst. The 18-year veteran who played his final NFL season in 2015, will be part of Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, while making occasional appearances on other ESPN studio shows and platforms. He is expected to make his debut in July.

“Charles is one of the most accomplished players of his era and he is held in such high regard by players, coaches and fans for the way he played the game and led his teams; he will be a tremendous addition to ESPN and to our Sunday and Monday Countdown teams,” said Seth Markman, ESPN’s senior coordinating producer, NFL studio shows.

Added Woodson: “I would like to thank ESPN for this incredible opportunity to join their Sunday and Monday Night Countdown shows. I look forward to carrying on their strong tradition and gaining the respect of those who came before me and those who will follow me. I’m extremely honored and can’t wait to get started.”

Woodson, who was honored with the NFL’s 2015 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award at Super Bowl 50, played cornerback and safety for the Oakland Raiders (1998-2005 and 2013-15) and Green Bay Packers (2006-12) during his legendary career. He is one of the few players in NFL history to play in a Pro Bowl in three different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s).

The 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the NFL All-Decade Team (2000s), Woodson ranks tied for fifth on the league’s all-time interceptions list (65), tied for most career defensive touchdowns (13), and second all-time in interceptions returned for touchdowns (11). He also amassed 1,003 career tackles, 20 sacks and 28 forced fumbles, playing 254 regular-season games, the second-most games of any defensive back in NFL history. Twice he led the NFL in interceptions – 2009 (nine) and 2011 (seven).

Woodson played in two Super Bowls, XXXVII with the Raiders and Super Bowl XLV as a member of the NFL World Champion Packers.

The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner and a National Champion at the University of Michigan, Woodson was selected fourth overall by the Raiders in the 1998 NFL Draft. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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