At Indiana, he played offense as well as defense, rushing for 540 yards and five touchdowns in 1962, along with 200 receiving yards, leading the team in both rushing and receiving. In addition, he returned punts and kickoffs and had two interceptions.[3][4] Woodson's 92-yard interception touchdown return in a November 1962 game against Purdue is considered one of the great plays in Indiana football history.[5] He was selected first-team All-American.[4] He only played three games his senior year because of a serious knee injury.[6]
Future NFL player Nate Ramsay played in Indiana's offensive and defensive backfields with Woodson at Indiana. He was also teammates with future NFL players Tom Nowatzke (Woodson's backup in 1962) and Rudy Kuechenberg.[7][8][9][10]
He played 72 games across six NFL seasons, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1964 to 1969 and for the New Orleans Saints in 1969.[2] He was waived by the Steelers in 1969, after eight games, and was picked up by the Saints.[6]
He played in the defensive backfield at cornerback and strong safety. He also returned punts and kickoffs. He wore No. 47 for both the Steelers and Saints, and was the last player to wear 47 in Pittsburgh before the team drafted Mel Blount.[2] Despite having a connection with two prominent Steelers cornerbacks now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Blount and Rod Woodson), the connection is coincidental as the two Woodsons weren't related.
Woodson had 18 interceptions as a Steeler, returning two for touchdowns, including a career-high seven in 1967.[2][11] His success in intercepting passes came from his speed and his study of his opponents' tendencies.[11] He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1967.[2][13]
He was outspoken on providing equal opportunities for African Americans in football.[11]
After football
Woodson ran a landscaping business after retiring from football.[11]