Abe Woodson obit

Abe Woodson, legendary kick returner, dies at 79

 

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Abe Woodson, one of the greatest kick returners in football history, has died at the age of 79.

A five-time Pro Bowler for the San Francisco 49ers, Woodson led the NFL in kickoff return average in 1959, 1962 and 1963, and led the league in punt return average in 1960. Woodson was also a starting cornerback for the 49ers, and played some running back as well. At the time of his retirement in 1966, he was the NFL’s all-time leader in kickoff return yardage.

Woodson grew up in Chicago and played his college football at Illinois, where he also ran track. The 49ers took him in the second round of the 1957 NFL draft.

Woodson played high school football for Austin High School in Chicago. Prior to joining the NFL, he played at the University of Illinois in football and track, setting the record for indoor 50 meters high hurdles twice and scoring three second half touchdowns against Michigan State during his time in Illinois

Woodson died in Las Vegas, where he had been working as a prison minister. Woodson was a cornerback and kick returner who played nine seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the San Francisco 49ers. He also spent two years with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Woodson was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 1957 Draft after fulfilling a military commitment. The Niners were a year removed from being one game away from the NFL Championship Game. Unfortunately, the Niners never finished above third during Woodson's tenure, going 6-6, 7-5, 7-5, 7-6-1, 6-8, 2-12, and 4-10. He played two final seasons with St. Louis. While the Cardinals went 5-9 in 1965, they went 8-5-1 in 1966 and finished two games out of playing for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.

As a kick returner, there were few who were better. Of all kick returners in NFL history, his average of 28.7 yards per return is well ahead of any others who have returned over 5,000 yards worth of kicks. He had 193 returns for 5538 yards. He was also dangerous on punt returns, averaging 9 yards a return in his prime with the 49ers. He ranks 21st in career return yards, and his 28.7 average yards per return still ranks 4th all time. Combining his punt and kick return yards, he ranks 34th.

In 2021, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Woodson to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2021

After leaving football, he worked as a life insurance agent. He later lived in Las Vegas, where he served as a prison minister in connection with the Churches of Christ. He died on February 8, 2014, aged 79, just a week before his 80th birthday.