Rod Woodson joins the NFL Hall of Fame...

Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens cornerback/safety Rod Woodson was inducted into the 2009 class of the NFL Hall of Fame along with Bruce Smith(Buffalo Bills/DE), Randall McDaniel(Minnesota Vikings/OG), Ralph Wilson Jr.(Buffalo Bills/Owner), and Bob Hayes(Dallas Cowboys/WR) and the late Derrick Thomas(Kansas City Chiefs/DE). The person I remember the most out of this group is Rod Woodson because he was already on the Steelers when I became a fan back in 1992. He was instrumental in keeping Pittsburgh competitive from the late 1980's until they went to the Super Bowl in 1995, while often times dominating at his cornerback spots. Woodson made it to the Pro Bowl 11 times over his 17 seasons, he won the 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and when he retired he ranked third all-time in career interceptions. Woodson tore his ACL in the 1994-1995 season and missed the majority of the year before returning to play in the Super Bowl against the Dallas Cowboys. The only thing that bugs me about his career is that Neil O'Donnell got paid to throw that game and Woodson didn't win his SB as a Steeler, it really sucks that he won it as a Raven, but at least he ended up getting a ring. Rod played for the Steelers(1987-1996), San Fransisco 49ers(1997), Baltimore Ravens(1998-2001), and the Oakland Radiers(2002-2003) during his Hall of Fame career.

Derrick Thomas was someone I grew up watching and was really sad that his life and career were cut tragically short. If he had been able to play longer he probably would have broken the career sack record and the man was just an animal on the field. Thomas has always been one of my favorite players from the first time I saw him play.

Bruce Smith was one of the most dominant defensive players ever and he played the game the right way. He was a huge part of the Bills going to four straight Super Bowls and he is the All-time sack leader with 200. Ralph Wilson Jr. was instrumental in shaping the way the NFL looks today and he made the Bills a mini-dynasty during the 90's. Wilson has done so much for the game and his best contribution may be the least known but he never votes for teams to relocate which is huge with teams threatening to move all the time.