In the second quarter between the Raiders and Jaguars yesterday, Chad Henne was marching his team down the field. With the Jaguars inside the Raiders’ 10-yard-line and the chance to tie the game, Charles Woodson made a flying tackle on Maurice Jones-Drew. It not only saved a potential game-tying touchdown, but inspired his teammates.
Despite fifteen years in the league, that super human play motivated rookie cornerback D.J. Hayden via Levi Damien of SB Nation’s Silver & Black Pride:
“It’s motivation. If he can do it, anyone of us can do it. Just him being out there, proud of us, playing along with us, it’s a great honor. It’s an honor to have a great player like that playing with you.”
While his teammates and coaches were inspired because of his age, Woodson believes he can continue to play at a high level and help the Raiders win via Damien:
“No matter the age, as long as my body feels good I can go out there and play football. I don’t think it’s really about showing anybody anything than it is going out and trying to help the team win and doing whatever I can to help the team win.”
After playing with the Raiders for the first eight years of his career, the 36-year-old safety received the largest applause from the home crowd who were eager to see him in a Raiders uniform once again.
The Raiders will look to build on that amazing defensive play from Woodson as they travel to face the Denver Broncos on Monday.