A victim of the club's salary cap, Woodson was released after the 2001 season but landed in Oakland and played two more years. Currently, the former Purdue star serves as a football analyst on "NFL Total Access" for the NFL Network.
One of six former greats being honored today, Woodson remains the league's career leader for interception return yardage (1,483) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (12). Five of those TDs came while he was with the Ravens, a team record he shares with several players.
By the eve of his induction, Woodson had received hundreds of plaudits, including those from former Ravens teammates Ray Lewis and Shannon Sharpe, who failed to make the cut for the Hall of Fame this year.
Said former Steelers teammate Tunch Ilkin, a longtime NFL radio and TV analyst: "Rod was probably the best athlete I've seen in the NFL. He could rush the passer as a blitzer and come up with multiple sacks, and he could make a pick and go coast-to-coast with it. He was just phenomenal, with a tremendous work ethic. He'd play a great game on Sunday, and he'd be running sprints on the treadmill on Monday."
Woodson said: "The last few days have been a blur. But the big thing is, I'm all done with my speech. Hopefully, I can deliver it halfway decent."
From a hand bearing a Super Bowl ring.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Hall of Fame Class of 2009
* Bob Hayes, WR
1965-1974 Cowboys, 1975 49ers
Of note: : Named first- or second-team All-NFL four times.
* Randall McDaniel, G
1988-1999 Vikings, 2000-2001 Buccaneers
Of note: : Selected for record 12 straight Pro Bowls (1990-2001).
* Bruce Smith, DE
1985-1999 Bills, 2000-2003 Redskins
Of note: : His 200 sacks are NFL record.
* Derrick Thomas, LB
1989-1999 Chiefs
Of note: : Recorded NFL- record seven sacks in one game in 1990.
* Ralph Wilson Jr., owner
1960-present Bills
Of note: : Bills appeared in four straight Super Bowls during his tenure.
* Rod Woodson, CB-S-KR
1987-1996 Steelers, 1997 49ers, 1998-2001 Ravens, 2002-2003 Raiders
Of note: : Holds NFL record for most interceptions returned for touchdown (12).
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
INDUCTION CEREMONIES
Tonight, 7
TV: ESPN, NFL Network
