Gold Jacket Spotlight: Charles Woodson’s play, off-field contributions placed him ‘outside box’

One of Pro Football Hall of Famer CHARLES WOODSON'S tattoos reads, “A lion ain’t supposed to be tamed.”

Charles explained the meaning of the art in an episode of NFL Films’ “A Football Life,” declaring, “That means don’t try to put me in a box, because I ain’t going.”

A “box” many thought Charles should consider was electing to attend Ohio State University after being recognized as Ohio’s Mr. Football following his 1994 senior season at Fremont Ross High School in northwest Ohio.

Charles not only denied the Buckeyes’ his commitment, but he also executed an act that Ohio State fans likely considered unthinkable: He enrolled at the University of Michigan.

His legacy as a member of the Wolverines and his continued commitment to the university’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital following his collegiate career are the focus of this week’s Gold Jacket Spotlight.

After being selected to the All-America rosters of Parade and USA Today as a defensive back in high school, Charles also totaled nearly 4,000 rushing yards as a running back. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr earned Charles’ commitment, recruiting him a defensive back, while many other top-tier college programs sought his talents as an offensive threat.

Charles’ impact for the Wolverines was immediate; he was named 1995 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first-team all-conference.

“It was evident to everybody from the first snap that he was on campus that he was going to be a heck of a player,” college teammate Brian Griese told NFL Films.

During the final game of the that season, Charles was instrumental in Michigan’s upset of an undefeated Ohio State team.

Reflecting upon Charles’ effort in the upset, Carr observed, “That performance, that day, you can’t play any better.”

Former Wolverines defensive backs coach Vance Beford asserted, “When the game was on the line, ‘Wood’ showed up. That’s what he was. He was a game-breaker.”

Prior to Charles’ second season in Ann Arbor, Carr approached the talented cornerback about joining the offensive unit as well.

“He has such an innate sense to play the game on defense, I knew that if he had just a little bit of time and some repetitions on offense, he could contribute,” Griese said.

Charles contributed on both sides of the ball for Michigan throughout his next two seasons, especially during the team’s run to a national championship during the 1997 season, his last at Michigan.

In his final regular-season game for the Wolverines, Charles, the soon-to-be Heisman Trophy winner, scored on a punt return and intercepted a second-and-goal pass against the Buckeyes. The big plays helped Michigan finish an undefeated season with a Rose Bowl appearance with the national title on the line.

“Those are plays people don’t forget,” Carr told ESPN two decades later, according to Heisman.com. “I can’t imagine anybody doing more or meaning more to his team and doing it consistently at the biggest moments the way Charles did.”

Michigan defeated Washington State in Pasadena and earn the coveted championship.

“His No. 1 goal, and he was very vocal about this, was not the individual awards, it was the national championship,” Griese offered.

During his three seasons in Ann Arbor, Charles became aware of C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital. That awareness made an impression.

While the hospital was engaged in raising $75 million, Charles became extremely involved. Dr. Valerie Opipari told “A Football Life”: “There was no single person that gave more of their time and effort to making the case for Mott Hospital than Charles. He’s really a great man.”

One of the children facing serious medical challenges told Charles, “You’re like a bright light in a dark hallway.”

“Charles is such a wonderful role model. We’ve had all kind of alumni from Michigan. From an athletic standpoint, an academic standpoint, civic engagement, I don’t think that any of them are held in higher regard than Charles Woodson,” Griese told NFL Films.