Danny Woodhead
{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Danny Woodhead
| image = Danny Woodhead 2014.JPG
| caption = Woodhead with the Chargers in 2014
| number = 83, 27, 22, 39
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|1|25}}
| birth_place = North Platte, Nebraska, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 8
| weight_lbs = 204
| high_school = North Platte (NE)
| college = Chadron State (2004–2007)
| undraftedyear = 2008
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2008|2010}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2010|2012}})
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|2013|2016}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2017}})
| highlights =
- 2× Harlon Hill Trophy (2006, 2007)
| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts
| statvalue1 = 517
| statlabel2 = Rushing yards
| statvalue2 = 2,238
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 15
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 300
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 2,698
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 17
| pfr = W/WoodDa02
| CollegeHOF = 2543
}}
Daniel Jacob Henry Woodhead (born January 25, 1985) is an American amateur golfer and former professional football player. He played college football as a running back for the Chadron State Eagles and was signed by the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He also played for the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.
Woodhead set several NCAA college football rushing records, including the single season rushing and all-time rushing records. In 2006 and 2007, he won the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the best player in NCAA Division II, making him the third player to win the trophy twice in its history. On October 6, 2007, Woodhead became the NCAA all-time, all-division leading rusher. Woodhead held this record until it was broken by Mount Union running back Nate Kmic on December 13, 2008.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2007 |title=Chadron State's Woodhead becomes all-time rushing leader |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3051838 |access-date=November 21, 2008 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011225331/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3051838 |url-status=live }} With the Patriots, Woodhead made his lone Super Bowl appearance in 2011. He finished the game with four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown while rushing seven times for 18 yards, but the Patriots fell to the New York Giants 21–17.
After his football career, he became a golfer, qualifying for United States Golf Association championship tournaments.
Early life
Woodhead played football at North Platte High School in North Platte, Nebraska, and broke many records.{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Woodhead retires from NFL |url=https://northplattebulletin.com/woodhead-retires-from-nfl/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=North Platte Bulletin |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320085745/http://northplattebulletin.com/woodhead-retires-from-nfl/ |url-status=live }} North Platte reached the state finals in 2001, with Woodhead's help after beating Millard North High School team 24–21.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} Woodhead blocked a field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter to give North Platte possession with only minutes left. North Platte's Ben Woodhead, Woodhead's older brother, threw a pass down field to set up a game-winning field goal by Jake McCarthy.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} However, North Platte went on to lose the state championship 28–14 to Millard West High School.{{Cite web |title=NSAA Football Championship Game History |url=https://nsaa-static.s3.amazonaws.com/textfile/fbl/fbfinals.htm |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=NSAA |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019234957/https://nsaa-static.s3.amazonaws.com/textfile/fbl/fbfinals.htm |url-status=live }}
In Woodhead's junior season, his team went 8–1 in the regular season, and won two games in the playoffs before falling to Millard North in the semifinals.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}
In Woodhead's senior season, North Platte had its first undefeated regular season in 40 years, going 9–0. The team went on to beat Omaha North High School in the first round of the playoffs, Bellevue East in the second round, and finally lost to Millard North 21–7 in the semifinals for the second year in a row.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} Woodhead finished as Nebraska's Class A leading rusher, as well as Nebraska's Class A all-time leading rusher with 4,891 yards (2000–2003).{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Kevin |date=November 27, 2010 |title=Woodhead looking to beat his former team |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/patriots-danny-woodhead-beating-odds-life-beat-team-article-1.454157 |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=New York Daily News |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035655/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/patriots-danny-woodhead-beating-odds-life-beat-team-article-1.454157 |url-status=live }} North Platte High's quarterback that year, Derek Enderle, also finished as the state's leading passer.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} This marked the first time in North Platte's history that the football team finished with the state's leading passer and rusher in the same season.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}
In addition to being a star in football, Woodhead was also a four-year letterman that set school or state records in three other sports; in track & field, he broke the school record after sprinting a blistering 10.5 seconds in the 100-meter dash; in basketball, he once scored 47 points in a game; in soccer, he netted 16 goals in a season.{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Kevin |date=November 27, 2010 |title=Patriots' Danny Woodhead, who's been beating the odds all his life, looking to beat his former team |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/patriots-danny-woodhead-beating-odds-life-beat-team-article-1.454157 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=New York Daily News |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807161855/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/patriots-danny-woodhead-beating-odds-life-beat-team-article-1.454157 |url-status=live }}
College career
In 2004, Woodhead began attending Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, where he rushed for 1,840 yards as a freshman. Woodhead was the first recipient of a full athletic scholarship at Chadron State in its 96-year history.{{Cite magazine |last=Beech |first=Mark |date=October 22, 2007 |title=How's He Look Now? |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108183/index.htm |access-date=September 21, 2010 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920231834/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108183/index.htm |url-status=dead }}
In 2005, Woodhead carried the ball 278 times for 1,769 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and 21 touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Burt |first=Bill |date=November 7, 2010 |title=How Danny Woodhead went from small school star to Patriots playmaker |url=http://www.eagletribune.com/how-danny-woodhead-went-from-small-school-star-to-patriots/article_0354f78e-00ee-5d3f-b98b-5288892fa9eb.html |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Eagle-Tribune |language=en |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317022400/https://www.eagletribune.com/how-danny-woodhead-went-from-small-school-star-to-patriots/article_0354f78e-00ee-5d3f-b98b-5288892fa9eb.html |url-status=live }} He also had 30 receptions for 367 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per reception.
In 2006, through 12 games, Woodhead rushed for 2,740 yards, a new all-division single season rushing record,{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2006 |title=Chadron State RB sets NCAA season rushing record |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2675895 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023045254/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2675895 |url-status=live }} surpassing Kavin Gaillaird. Including the playoffs, his rushing yards in 2006 totaled 2,756. He also led his team to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2006, losing to Northwest Missouri State. Northwest Missouri State managed to hold Woodhead to a season low 16 yards rushing on 16 carries while giving up 79 yards receiving, which was more than double anyone on the Northwest Missouri team. Chadron also had 327 yards of total offense compared to Northwest Missouri State's 306.
Through 39 games, Woodhead's 606 points equated to 15.5 points a game, the highest ever in NCAA Division II. Only Dan Pugh of Mount Union College, a Division III school in Alliance, Ohio, with 248 points in 2002 and Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State with 234 in 1988, had ever scored more points in a season than Woodhead scored in 2006. However, in 2007 Abilene Christian University's Bernard Scott broke Woodhead's Division II record by scoring 39 touchdowns (234 points).{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}
Woodhead accumulated 7,441 yards on the ground, for his career, giving him a career average of 190.8 yards per game.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2007 |title=D-II running back surpasses all-time rushing mark |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3051838 |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=ESPN |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035551/http://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3051838 |url-status=live }} He rushed for more than 200 yards in 19 of his 39 appearances and scored in 37 consecutive games, both of which are NCAA all-division records.
After a 208-yard game against Western New Mexico in 2007, he became college football's all-time leading rusher, breaking the record previously held by R.J. Bowers, who played for Grove City College, a Division III school in Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2000. Nate Kmic broke the all division record with 8,074 for Mount Union College. Woodhead is also just the sixth NCAA Division II player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in four seasons.
He recorded 9,259 all-purpose yards, which ranked second on the NCAA all-time list at the time of his college career ending.{{Cite web |last=Demolder |first=Keith |date=March 3, 2015 |title=San Diego Chargers: Danny Woodhead key to running game |url=https://nflspinzone.com/2015/03/03/san-diego-chargers-danny-woodhead-key-run-game/ |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=NFL Spin Zone |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308214345/https://nflspinzone.com/2015/03/03/san-diego-chargers-danny-woodhead-key-run-game/ |url-status=live }}
Woodhead is also tied with Germaine Race (Pittsburg State 2003–2006) for first place in Division II in career scoring with 654 points on 109 touchdowns. Woodhead is only the second player in collegiate history to score more than 100 touchdowns. Nate Kmic set the new all-time record in 2009, finishing his career with 130 touchdowns for Mount Union College.
Barry Sanders is the only college player to accumulate more all-purpose yards than the 3,159 that Woodhead gained in 2006, as he gained 3,250 as a junior at Oklahoma State University in 1988, when he won the Heisman Trophy. Woodhead ranked 10th in Division II in career all-purpose yards with 7,349 after his junior season. The Division II leader is Brian Shay of Emporia State with 9,301 yards, including 1,207 on kickoff returns, 1995–1998.
Woodhead was a Harlon Hill Trophy candidate in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, winning the award in both 2006 and 2007.{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2013 |title=Danny Woodhead proud of his DII roots |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2013-12-26/danny-woodhead-proud-his-dii-roots |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=NCAA.com |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035917/https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2013-12-26/danny-woodhead-proud-his-dii-roots |url-status=live }}
When interviewed, Woodhead stated that Nebraska never showed much interest in him and that he wanted to go somewhere where he was wanted. Chadron State showed a lot of interest in him, which is where he ended up.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Jon |date=December 13, 2006 |title=Interview with Danny Woodhead – Only Player to Rush for More than 2700 Yards in A Season |url=http://www.cornnation.com/2006/12/13/223034/52 |access-date=September 13, 2009 |website=CornNation.com |archive-date=September 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920114618/http://www.cornnation.com/2006/12/13/223034/52 |url-status=live }} While at Chadron State, he majored in math education.
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 7 1/2
| weight = 197
| dash = 4.38
| ten split = 1.44
| twenty split = 2.50
| shuttle = 4.20
| cone drill = 7.03
| vertical = 38.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench = 20
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |author-link=Gil Brandt |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Pro day updates: Schools N-R |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/pro-day-updates-schools-n-r-09000d5d80775639 |access-date=February 7, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=56345&DraftYear=2008 |title=2008 NFL Draft Scout Danny Woodhead College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=February 7, 2024}}
}}
Woodhead did not receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, so he had to use his pro day to show his abilities. According to a report on NFLDraftWatch.net, he ran the 40-yard dash in times of 4.33 to 4.38 seconds, which would have been the second-fastest among all running backs at the NFL Combine in March 2008. He posted the best pro-agility time of 4.03 seconds, the second-best vertical jump at {{convert|38+1/2|in}}, and the best 60-yard shuttle time (11.2 seconds).{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Jon |date=March 13, 2008 |title=Nebraska NFL Pro Day - Winners, Whiners And Losers |url=https://www.cornnation.com/2008/3/13/901/67382 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Corn Nation |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007150547/https://www.cornnation.com/2008/3/13/901/67382 |url-status=live }}
=New York Jets=
Woodhead went undrafted in the 2008 NFL draft. However, he received a call from the New York Jets moments before the draft ended, about the two parties coming to an agreement on an undrafted rookie free agent contract. It was announced shortly after, that Woodhead had signed a deal with the organization.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Jets ink rushing leader Woodhead to free-agent deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3371122 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715051024/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3371122 |url-status=live }}
On July 26, 2008, Woodhead was carted off the field due to an injury. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Eric |date=May 3, 2011 |title=Pats' Woodhead preaches hard work at Boys Town |url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2011/05/03/pats_woodhead_preaches_hard_work_at_boys_town/ |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Boston.com |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308214548/http://archive.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2011/05/03/pats_woodhead_preaches_hard_work_at_boys_town/ |url-status=live }}
On September 3, 2009, the Jets faced the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason matchup. During this game, Woodhead rushed for 158 yards, the NFL's second-highest preseason total since 1992, and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2009 |title=Vick rushes for TD, sacked four times as Jets beat Eagles |url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=290903020 |access-date=September 2, 2010 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=August 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810190443/http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=290903020 |url-status=dead }} Woodhead initially survived final cuts in September 2009, only to be waived a day later on September 6. He was re-signed to the Jets' practice squad on September 8.{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Dave |date=September 8, 2009 |title=NY Jets sign RB Danny Woodhead to practice squad |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_jets_sign_rb_danny_woodhead.html |access-date=September 13, 2009 |website=The Star-Ledger |archive-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912100447/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_jets_sign_rb_danny_woodhead.html |url-status=live }} In October, Woodhead was moved from running back to wide receiver and on October 17, he was signed to the active roster after Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith became injured.
Woodhead saw his first regular season action on October 25, 2009. In the 38–0 win over the Oakland Raiders, Woodhead rushed three times for 24 yards.{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2009 |title=Woodhead makes NFL debut in win over Raiders |url=http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readStory&storyID=17530&pageID=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927180135/http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readStory&storyID=17530&pageID=3 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=October 26, 2009 |website=North Platte Bulletin}} Overall, he finished the 2009 season with 15 carries for 64 rushing yards and eight receptions for 87 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402105724/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2009/ |url-status=live }}
Woodhead was released by the Jets on September 14, 2010.{{Cite web |last=Vrentas |first=Jenny |date=September 14, 2010 |title=Receiver David Clowney re-signs with the Jets; Danny Woodhead waived |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2010/09/receiver_david_clowney_re-sign.html |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=The Star-Ledger |archive-date=September 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917151926/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2010/09/receiver_david_clowney_re-sign.html |url-status=live }}
=New England Patriots=
Image:Danny Woodhead 2011.jpg.]]
Woodhead was signed by the New England Patriots on September 18, 2010, one day before the team's Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets.{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2010 |title=Ex-Jet Woodhead joins Patriots just before big game |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ex-jet-woodhead-joins-patriots-just-before-big-game-09000d5d81aa077d |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623193049/https://www.nfl.com/news/ex-jet-woodhead-joins-patriots-just-before-big-game-09000d5d81aa077d |url-status=live }} The team had an open roster spot for Woodhead after the trade of Laurence Maroney; Woodhead was inactive for the game, which saw longtime Patriots third-down running back Kevin Faulk go down for the season with a knee injury. On September 26, making his Patriots debut as well as his first career start, Woodhead had a 22-yard touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills, his first NFL touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - September 26th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201009260nwe.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402105728/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201009260nwe.htm |url-status=live }} In Week 4, Woodhead added an 11-yard touchdown reception in a win over the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - October 4th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201010040mia.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230061758/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201010040mia.htm |url-status=live }} Against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11, Woodhead had a 36-yard touchdown run in a Patriots win.{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - November 21st, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201011210nwe.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035618/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201011210nwe.htm |url-status=live }}
On November 19, 2010, Woodhead signed a two-year contract extension with the Patriots, through the 2012 season.{{Cite web |last=Knopping |first=Greg |date=November 25, 2010 |title=Patriots Sign Danny Woodhead to Contract Extension |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2010/11/25/1836276/patriots-sign-danny-woodhead-to-contract-extension |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Pats Pulpit |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308214734/https://www.patspulpit.com/2010/11/25/1836276/patriots-sign-danny-woodhead-to-contract-extension |url-status=live }}
Woodhead finished the 2010 season with three starts in 14 games played. He had 97 carries for 547 yards (5.6 yard average), and 5 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 379 yards and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402105704/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2010/ |url-status=live }} Woodhead was part of the Patriots postseason roster until the team lost 28–21 to his former team, the New York Jets, in the Divisional Round.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New York Jets at New England Patriots - January 16th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101160nwe.htm |access-date=December 16, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217014406/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101160nwe.htm |url-status=live }}
In the 2011 season, Woodhead had 77 carries for 351 rushing yards and a touchdown to go along with 18 receptions for 157 yards.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402105714/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2011/ |url-status=live }} The Patriots finished with a 13–3 record and won the AFC East.{{Cite web |title=2011 New England Patriots Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2011.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171726/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2011.htm |url-status=live }} In the Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos, he had four carries for 25 yards in the 45–10 victory.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - January 14th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201140nwe.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130034219/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201140nwe.htm |url-status=live }} In the AFC Championship, he had six carries for 18 yards and a seven-yard reception in the 23–20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 22nd, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201220nwe.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226034801/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201220nwe.htm |url-status=live }} On February 5, 2012, he made a catch in the second quarter of Super Bowl XLVI to score the first touchdown in the game for the Patriots. New England would eventually lose the game to the New York Giants 21–17. Woodhead finished with four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown while rushing seven times for 18 yards.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLVI - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 5th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201202050nwe.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323020537/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201202050nwe.htm |url-status=live }}
In the 2012 season, Woodhead had 76 carries for 301 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101225/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2012/ |url-status=live }}
=San Diego Chargers=
Woodhead agreed to terms with the San Diego Chargers on March 15, 2013.{{Cite web |last=Henne |first=Ricky |date=March 15, 2013 |title=Chargers Nab Dynamic RB Danny Woodhead |url=http://www.chargers.com/news/article-1/Chargers-Nab-Dynamic-RB-Danny-Woodhead/2bd31e51-d259-4e84-8744-d308092e40f4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522003935/http://www.chargers.com/news/article-1/Chargers-Nab-Dynamic-RB-Danny-Woodhead/2bd31e51-d259-4e84-8744-d308092e40f4 |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |website=Chargers.com}} He signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract. The deal included a $1 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Lindsay H. |date=March 15, 2013 |title=Danny Woodhead signs two-year deal with Chargers |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2013/03/15/danny-woodhead-signs-contract/1991193/ |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308213249/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2013/03/15/danny-woodhead-signs-contract/1991193/ |url-status=live }}
He scored his first touchdown as a Charger in a Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers won the game and Woodhead ended up with two touchdown catches.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers - September 29th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309290sdg.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041343/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309290sdg.htm |url-status=live }} Sharing time with Ronnie Brown as the team's backup to Ryan Mathews, Woodhead enjoyed a career year.{{Cite web |title=2013 San Diego Chargers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2013.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402105717/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2013.htm |url-status=live }} He led all NFL running backs with six touchdown receptions and was second with 76 catches for 605 yards in the regular season.{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Rushing & Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/rushing.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118011327/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/rushing.htm |url-status=live }} He also had 106 carries for 429 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per attempt, for an overall 1,034 yards and eight touchdowns; he added a dimension missing in San Diego's offense since Darren Sproles departed after 2010.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101323/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2013/ |url-status=live }} Of all the Chargers free agent acquisitions in 2013, quarterback Philip Rivers said he "was most excited about" Woodhead.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Forrest |date=January 10, 2014 |title=Rivers: Adding Danny Woodhead elevated Chargers offense |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/01/10/san-diego-chargers-danny-woodhead-philip-rivers/4419531/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114150855/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/01/10/san-diego-chargers-danny-woodhead-philip-rivers/4419531/ |archive-date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=USA Today}}
Against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 of 2014, Woodhead suffered a leg and ankle injury and was carted off the field. His season ended after he was diagnosed with a broken fibula.{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2014 |title=Injury roundup: Danny Woodhead injures ankle, fibula |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/injury-roundup-danny-woodhead-injures-ankle-fibula-0ap3000000397731 |access-date=September 28, 2014 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=September 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928190930/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000397731/article/injury-roundup-danny-woodhead-injures-ankle-fibula |url-status=live }} In limited time in the 2014 season, he had 38 rushing yards and five receptions for 34 yards.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101325/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2014/ |url-status=live }}
After recovering from a broken fibula, Woodhead had a strong showing against the Detroit Lions, rushing for 43 yards and scoring two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers - September 13th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201509130sdg.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015619/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201509130sdg.htm |url-status=live }} Against the Cleveland Browns, Woodhead had 54 rushing yards that included a 19-yard rush that set up a game-winning field goal by Josh Lambo and also had 84 receiving yards, one of those catches being for 61 yards, the longest of his career.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers - October 4th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201510040sdg.htm |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811031738/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201510040sdg.htm |url-status=live }} Against the Miami Dolphins, Woodhead scored three touchdowns on six receptions, and another touchdown running the ball for a single-game career-high for touchdowns in a game.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers - December 20th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512200sdg.htm |access-date=February 25, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203124549/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512200sdg.htm |url-status=live }} He scored 24 total points in the game, which was the most by any player in a single game in the 2015 season.{{Cite web |title=Most points scored, single game, 2015 NFL season |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=player+with+the+most+points+scored%252c+single+game%252c+2015+nfl+season |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=StatMuse |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308213104/https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=player+with+the+most+points+scored%252c+single+game%252c+2015+nfl+season |url-status=live }} Overall, he finished the 2015 season with 98 carries for 336 rushing yards and three touchdowns to go along with 80 receptions for 755 receiving yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Danny Woodhead 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101223/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02/gamelog/2015/ |url-status=live }}
In the 2016 Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Woodhead suffered a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Chargers Sign WR Griff Whalen, Place RB Danny Woodhead On I.R. |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/chargers-sign-wr-griff-whalen-place-rb-danny-woodhead-r/ |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308213103/https://nfltraderumors.co/chargers-sign-wr-griff-whalen-place-rb-danny-woodhead-r/ |url-status=live }}
=Baltimore Ravens=
On March 9, 2017, Woodhead signed a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2017 |title=Ravens to sign running back Danny Woodhead |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ravens-sign-running-back-danny-woodhead-0ap3000000791690 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=November 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005430/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000791690/article/ravens-to-sign-running-back-danny-woodhead |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Ravens Sign Running Back Danny Woodhead |url=http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Sign-Running-Back-Danny-Woodhead/844fee29-ed23-433d-92f5-4659e01d3477 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504151111/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Sign-Running-Back-Danny-Woodhead/844fee29-ed23-433d-92f5-4659e01d3477 |url-status=live }} In Week 1, Woodhead suffered a hamstring injury on the Ravens' opening drive and was initially ruled out for 4–6 weeks.{{Cite web |last=Shelton |first=Cole |date=September 12, 2017 |title=Ravens RB Danny Woodhead out 4-6 weeks |url=https://fansided.com/2017/09/12/ravens-rb-danny-woodhead-out-4-6-weeks/ |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=FanSided |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308212828/https://fansided.com/2017/09/12/ravens-rb-danny-woodhead-out-4-6-weeks/ |url-status=live }} On September 14, 2017, Woodhead was placed on injured reserve, causing him to miss at least eight weeks.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Ravens Place Danny Woodhead On Injured Reserve, Bring Up Jeremy Langford |url=http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Place-Danny-Woodhead-on-Injured-Reserve-Bring-up-Jeremy-Langford/c11bd8e8-3d79-428d-adb0-b3cc6758d3c7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223091952/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Place-Danny-Woodhead-on-Injured-Reserve-Bring-up-Jeremy-Langford/c11bd8e8-3d79-428d-adb0-b3cc6758d3c7 |archive-date=February 23, 2018 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com}} He was activated off injured reserve to the active roster on November 18, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=November 18, 2017 |title=Ravens Activate Danny Woodhead to 53-Man Roster |url=http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Activate-Danny-Woodhead-to-53-Man-Roster/0d91b74c-8c4a-49ef-98d5-324c507091ce |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427045308/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Activate-Danny-Woodhead-to-53-Man-Roster/0d91b74c-8c4a-49ef-98d5-324c507091ce |archive-date=April 27, 2018 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com}}
On March 13, 2018, Woodhead was released by the Ravens.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=March 13, 2018 |title=Ravens Release Running Back Danny Woodhead |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-release-running-back-danny-woodhead-20443431 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Baltimore Ravens |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308212921/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-release-running-back-danny-woodhead-20443431 |url-status=live }} Later that week, on March 17, Woodhead announced his retirement after 10 seasons in the league.{{Cite web |last=Polacek |first=Scott |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Danny Woodhead Retires from NFL After 10-Year Career |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2765013-danny-woodhead-retires-from-nfl-after-10-year-career |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811002248/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2765013-danny-woodhead-retires-from-nfl-after-10-year-career |url-status=live }}
=NFL career statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Season | rowspan=2|Team | colspan=2|Games | colspan=5|Rushing | colspan=5|Receiving | ! colspan=2|Fumbles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2009 | NYJ
| 10 || 0 || 15 || 64 || 4.3 || 16 || 0 || 8 || 87 || 10.9 || 24 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2" |2010
!NYJ |1 |0 |0 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ||||||||||||||
| NE
| 14 || 3 || 97 || 547 || 5.6 || 36 || 5 || 34 || 379 || 11.1 || 50 || 1 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 2011 | NE
| 15 || 4 || 77 || 351 || 4.6 || 12 || 1 || 18 || 157 || 8.7 || 16 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2012 | NE
| 16 || 2 || 76 || 301 || 4.0 || 19 || 4 || 40 || 446 || 11.2 || 25 || 3 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2013 | SD
| 16 || 2 || 106 || 429 || 4.0 || 14 || 2 || 76 || 605 || 8.0 || 39 || 6 || 2 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | SD
| 3 || 0 || 15 || 38 || 2.5 || 13 || 0 || 5 || 34 || 6.8 || 14 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2015 | SD
| 16 || 2 || 98 || 336 || 3.4 || 27 || 3 || 80 || 755 || 9.4 || 61 || 6 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2016 | SD
| 2 || 1 || 19 || 116 || 6.1 || 23 || 0 || 6 || 35 || 5.8 || 12 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | BAL
| 8 || 0 || 14 || 56 || 4.0 || 10 || 0 || 33 || 200 || 6.1 || 22 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa02.htm Career] | 101 | 14 | 517 | 2,238 | 4.3 | 36 | 15 | 300 | 2,698 | 9.0 | 61 | 17 | 4 | 3 |
Golf career
At the end of his NFL career, Woodhead, a scratch golfer in high school who picked it up again in college, and especially while in San Diego, was able to qualify for the 2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball tournament at Chambers Bay, a major championship venue.{{Cite web |last=Rapp |first=Timothy |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Former Patriots RB Danny Woodhead Advances to 2022 US Open Qualification Finals |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10035605-former-patriots-rb-danny-woodhead-advances-to-2022-us-open-qualification-finals |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512031513/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10035605-former-patriots-rb-danny-woodhead-advances-to-2022-us-open-qualification-finals |url-status=live }}
In 2022, Woodhead reached the Final Qualifying Round of the U.S. Open. Woodhead missed in the round by being +10.{{Cite web |last=Guregian |first=Karen |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Danny Woodhead's U.S. Open bid falls short in final qualifier |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/06/06/danny-woodheads-u-s-open-bid-falls-short-in-final-qualifier/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608051240/https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/06/06/danny-woodheads-u-s-open-bid-falls-short-in-final-qualifier/ |url-status=live }}
Later, he qualified for the Nebraska Amateur Championship as medalist (low score in stroke play), and his swing coach noted the goal is a Masters Tournament qualification through winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur Golf Championship.{{Cite magazine |last=Breer |first=Albert |date=June 27, 2022 |title=Danny Woodhead's Second Athletic Life on the Links Is a Model for Retired Players |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/06/27/danny-woodhead-golf-remembering-tony-siragusa-mmqb |access-date=October 22, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=The Arena Group |ref=SIGolf |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022121032/https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/06/27/danny-woodhead-golf-remembering-tony-siragusa-mmqb |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Woodhead grew up in a close knit family and was homeschooled until the ninth grade.{{Cite web |last=Tanier |first=Mike |date=June 13, 2015 |title=How the Middle of Nowhere Made Danny Woodhead an NFL Somebody |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2485471-how-the-middle-of-nowhere-made-danny-woodhead-an-nfl-somebody |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308212254/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2485471-how-the-middle-of-nowhere-made-danny-woodhead-an-nfl-somebody |url-status=live }} Like him, both of his parents attended Chadron State and his father, Mark, played wide receiver for the Chadron State Eagles in the late 1970s.{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Con |date=March 20, 2018 |title=Ex-CSC star retires from pro football |url=https://chadroneagles.com/news/2018/3/20/ex-csc-star-retires-from-pro-football.aspx |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Chadron State College Athletics |language=en |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317022403/https://chadroneagles.com/news/2018/3/20/ex-csc-star-retires-from-pro-football.aspx |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2016 |title=An In-Depth Look at Danny Woodhead |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/an-in-depth-look-at-danny-woodhead-133416 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Chargers.com |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308212541/https://www.chargers.com/news/an-in-depth-look-at-danny-woodhead-133416 |url-status=live }}
Woodhead and his wife, Stacia, began dating when they were freshmen in high school. Together they have four children: Sis, William, Mae Mae and Hopie.{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers: Danny Woodhead |url=http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/danny-woodhead/860a6335-946b-435c-a536-15b1e40f8b53/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204014230/http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/danny-woodhead/860a6335-946b-435c-a536-15b1e40f8b53/ |archive-date=December 4, 2013 |access-date=December 4, 2013}}
Woodhead hosts a weekly podcast with fellow NFL Veteran Matt Slauson. Woodhead and Slauson talk about their NFL careers, life in retirement, tell stories, and give advice.{{Cite web |title=Out Of Nowhere on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-nowhere/id1499906901 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226203930/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-nowhere/id1499906901 |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{footballstats|pfr=W/WoodDa02}}
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Harlon Hill Trophy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woodhead, Danny}}
Category:People from Chadron, Nebraska
Category:Sportspeople from North Platte, Nebraska
Category:Players of American football from Nebraska
Category:American football running backs
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Chadron State Eagles football players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:San Diego Chargers players