Woodson to play last Pro Bowl of his career

Isaiah Thomas was chosen to the NBA All-Star Game on Thursday, five years after the Boston Celtics guard was the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

He was dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant,” a term generally reserved for the last player chosen in a major professional draft.

There are 43 first-time Pro Bowlers in Hawaii this week for the NFL’s annual all-star game taking place Sunday at Aloha Stadium.

Wednesday, a draft was held to determine how the teams would be split between NFL all-time greats Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice.

As the pool of players available whittled down to the final few names, it became apparent the final spot was reserved for a certain player in particular.

It wasn’t because he’s irrelevant. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

“We did this on purpose to give him the recognition he deserves,” an excited Irvin proclaimed on the ESPN broadcast as Charles Woodson’s name was read as the last pick for Team Rice. “He should be the last person you see on TV in this draft.”

Woodson, who announced his retirement heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, wrapped up an 18-year career he spent with the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders drafted the reigning Heisman Trophy winner out of Michigan with the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.

He played eight seasons in Oakland and seven with the Packers before returning for one last run with the Raiders in 2013.

This marks the ninth Pro Bowl selection for Woodson and holds a special meaning to him, not just because it’s his final one.

“It’s good for me because my kids talked about wanting to come to Hawaii and this is their first time over here,” said Woodson, who has two sons, Charles Jr. and Chase. “It’s special to have all of us out here together at the same time.”

No player suiting up this week has more Pro Bowl selections than the 39-year-old Woodson, who is tied for fifth all-time with 65 career interceptions.

In an event in which many of the veteran selections declined invitations, Woodson quickly jumped at the opportunity to play in one final NFL game.

He’s one of five Raiders taking part this week.

“This will be my last time ever suiting up in an NFL uniform and going out there and running around on the field,” Woodson said. “After this game, there is no more. My NFL career is over. Get this last one in and then ride off into the sunset.”

Woodson is still the last defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy and has the respect of everybody playing in this week’s game.

Even quarterback Derek Carr, who has been teammates with Woodson the last two years in Oakland, was giddy when Woodson walked by.

“C-Wood is my teammate, but still man, that’s Charles Woodson,” Carr said. “Heisman Trophy winner, Rose Bowl winner, top-five pick, Hall of Famer, and to be here with him he told me, ‘We’re here baby’ and I just laughed.”

In the final moments of Wednesday’s ESPN telecast, commentator Jon Gruden shouted, “Shame on you!” referring to the two coaches who waited until the end to take Woodson.

They did it right, though. If anyone should be remembered from this week, it’s the guy who picked off Peyton Manning twice this year at 39 years of age.

It’s the guy who started 251 games, ranking in the top 10 all-time, and scored 11 defensive touchdowns.

Of all the sunsets to ride off into, Hawaii seems the right place to do it.