Woodson takes from Lions, gives to children's hospital 

By Michael Hunt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009 12:00 am

[img_r]http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lacrossetribune.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/2/cb/0b5/2cb0b50e-db17-11de-929a-001cc4c03286.image.jpg?_dc=1259300351[/img_r]DETROIT - As good days go, Charles Woodson's 2009 Thanksgiving was about as close to a 10 as it gets without the NFL publicity machine making up stuff on his behalf.

Woodson had two interceptions, one that he returned for a touchdown, and recovered a fumble he had forced.

He donated $2 million to the children and women's hospital at the University of Michigan, his alma mater.

He reprised his famous Heisman Trophy pose for the home folks.

And his Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions, 34-12, at Ford Field.

``What can you say about Charles?'' fellow cornerback Tramon Williams said in response to a question about his do-it-all teammate.

``He's got my vote for defensive MVP right now.''

It's been that kind of a year for Woodson, who is now No. 2 in the league with seven interceptions. Has the 33-year-old veteran ever played better in a Hall of Fame-level career?

``I would like to think so,'' Woodson said. ``I've never had this many interceptions, so by those standards, absolutely not.''

Woodson's first interception came at the start of the third quarter, when the Packers were hanging on to a 13-7 lead. They weren't able to convert that turnover into points, but Woodson did it himself as the game was winding down.

Picking off rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford with 3 minutes 47 seconds left, Woodson put an exclamation point on the game and his day by taking the interception 38 yards for the score.

And when he got to the end zone, he struck the same Heisman pose he assumed more than a decade ago against Ohio State as a prelude to winning college football's highest award.

``Being here in Michigan, it was just to remind them of how it was like when I was here,'' Woodson said. ``Being here means a lot. Even though they pull for the Lions, I feel like these are my fans.''

He made a few more with his generous donation to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital, scheduled to open in 2012. His gift will support pediatric research of life-threatening diseases.

Woodson makes a lot of money - he signed a seven-year, $52 million free-agent contract with the Packers in 2006 - but $2 million is a big chunk of change by any standard.

``Yeah, but there are many people who do a lot more,'' Woodson said. ``I felt like I was just doing my part. I gave $2 million, but our goal is to raise a lot more.

``It's something I felt right about doing. I'm just trying to make a difference. It was the perfect opportunity with the perfect people around to get it done, and I just did it.''

Sort of like his day on the football field.

Woodson, who once called on the coaches to turn the defenders loose, is very happy with the defense now.

``Especially with the calls we had and the way we're allowed to make plays,'' Woodson said. ``The opportunity was there (for the interceptions).''

Still, he was not completely satisfied.

``It was a good day, but I gave up a touchdown,'' he said. ``So that kind of puts a little cloud over it for me.''

But not for anyone else in the visiting locker room.

``This was business as usual for him,'' said linebacker A.J. Hawk, a confirmed Buckeye. ``I was glad to see him do it in the state of Michigan. It's fun to watch him play. For anyone who likes football, you've got to watch him play.''

The Packers were down two defensive starters, outside linebacker Aaron Kampman and cornerback Al Harris, Woodson's regular running mate. With Harris out, Woodson couldn't blitz as usual and played more to the inside against a rookie quarterback who had thrown five touchdown passes the previous game.

``You have an idea of what they're trying to do,'' Woodson said. ``A couple of times we were in the perfect defense for them. All I had to do was make the play.''

The Packers intercepted Stafford four times, but Woodson didn't let the young guy get away without a word of encouragement. Stafford was playing with a separated left shoulder.

``I told him after the game that we have a lot of respect for a guy who can get back up when he's down,'' Woodson said.

And now it looks like the Packers are back up.

``This was a big win because it was a big blow to our defense to lose two starters,'' Woodson said. ``We need to keep stacking wins for our season to continue.''

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(c) 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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