Marv Woodson

Marvin Lewis Woodson (September 19, 1941 – February 11, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a safety and defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Early life and college Woodson was born on September 19, 1941, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Woodson attended Rowan High School in Hattiesburg. He attended Indiana University, where he played college football.

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. 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. He was selected first-team All-American.

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.

Professional football Woodson was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft (eighth overall), and was selected in the third round of the 1964 AFL draft by the Denver Broncos (17th overall pick).

He played 72 games across six NFL seasons, playing for the Steelers from 1964 to 1969 and for the New Orleans Saints in 1969.

He was outspoken on providing equal opportunities for African Americans in football.