Re: 26 - Donnell Woolford had 26 Yards in Interception Returns for Clemson - Clemson Football Forum

Interstate 26 is a 328.1-mile-long southeastern U.S. highway that "jogs" (thanks Tug) from the northwest end at US 11/US 23 in Kingsport, Tennessee to the southeast end at US 17 in Charleston, South Carolina, going through western North Carolina. 220.1 miles of I-26 (67%) are in South Carolina from above Landrum to Charleston. Frank Howard joked that the best thing to come out of Columbia is I-26.

The 52.7 miles of I-26 in western North Carolina are in a beautiful area. 15 miles northeast of where I-26 passes Hendersonville is Chimney Rock State Park, 25 miles southeast of Asheville. 8,014-acre Chimney Rock State Park was established in 2005 on land next to Lake Lure known as "Worlds Edge" on the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is owned and operated by the state of North Carolina. The park offers incredible mountain scenery, overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge, the Broad River, and Lake Lure and has hiking trails, one to Hickory Nut Falls. The park's main attraction is the namesake 315-foot freestanding rock formation that attracts 400,000 annual visitors. The area is home to some rare wildflowers and birds such as the peregrine falcon. Some scenes in The Last of the Mohicans were filmed in the area.

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26 - Donnell Woolford had 26 Yards in Interception Returns for Clemson

Aug 5, 2024, 6:14 AM

One of Clemson’s finest DBs in history – and a longtime future NFL DB at that – did not come to Clemson to play DB. DB Donnell Woolford (1985-1988) was recruited to play RB for the Tigers. According to ClemsonTigers.com:

“When Donnell Woolford came to Clemson from his hometown of Fayetteville, N.C. in 1985, he along with the coaches made a big decision that impacted his career. A star running back in high school, it was thought he would be the next Terrence Flagler or Kenny Flowers, great Clemson backs of the era.

“They wanted me to play running back and I thought it was the place to be,” said Woolford of his first practice at Clemson. “But when I got there, I looked over at the number of running backs in camp and decided I better try another position. I went over to the cornerbacks because they had the smallest number of players.”

Although he would become one of the best defensive players in school history, Woolford said the switch was not always easy.

“I know why the cornerback group had the smallest number, because that’s one of the hardest positions to play,” said Woolford.”

https://clemsontigers.com/where-are-they-now-donnell-woolford/

Fortunately, Woolford got the hang of that DB thing! According to that same ClemsonTigers.com article:

“Woolford, who played for the Tigers from 1985-88, was a two-time All-American who earned second-team honors in 1987 and consensus All-America honors in 1988. He helped lead Clemson, coached by Danny Ford, to a 28-6-2 record in his final three seasons, including national top-10 rankings in 1987 and 1988.

A two-time First-Team All-ACC selection, he helped Clemson to ACC Championships in each of his final three seasons, recording 10 interceptions in his career. An excellent punt returner, he led the ACC and finished third nationally with two touchdown returns and a 15.5-yard average in 1987.”

https://clemsontigers.com/where-are-they-now-donnell-woolford/

Wow – Not bad for a RB!

A separate ClemsonTigers.com article adds the following:

“Donnell Woolford starred at Clemson from 1985-88 as a cover cornerback. No opposing wide receiver had more than two receptions in a game in 1988. The Tigers won the ACC title in each of his last three seasons and compiled a 28-6-2 record. A panel of experts picked him as the No. 12 player on Clemson’s football centennial team.”

https://clemsontigers.com/block-c-club-spotlight-woolford/

Seems like he learned the position rather well!!

Sports-Reference.com does not list Woolford’s tackle statistics. But the site does adds the following other statistics for Woolford during his time in God’s Country:

Donnell Woolford (1985-1988):
- 9 Interceptions Returned for 26 Yards (2.9 Average)
- 73 Punt Returns for 724 Yards (9.9 Average)
- 2 Punts Returned for Touchdowns
- 1 Kick Return for 25 Yards (25.0 Average)

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/donnell-woolford-1.html

After Clemson:

The Chicago Bears selected Donnell Woolford with the 11th Pick (1st Round) of the 1989 NFL Draft. Wikipedia summarizes his impressive 9 year NFL career:

“He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1994 and was a three time All Madden Team Member during his career. At one point, he had the record for most interceptions by a Chicago Bear with 32 total interceptions. This was surpassed in 2013 by Charles Tillman. Woolford started every game for Chicago from 1989-1996, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recorded 4 more interceptions, for a career total of 36. He retired from the NFL after suffering a career ending knee injury.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnell_Woolford

According to Pro-Football.com, Woolford registered the following NFL statistics:

Donnell Woolford (1989-1997: Bears and Steelers):
- 603 Tackles
- 36 Interceptions Returned for 303 Yards
- 1 Interception Return for Touchdown
- 2 Fumble Recoveries Returned for 28 Yards
- 13 Punt Returns for 139 Yards
- 1 Kick Return for 28 Yards

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoolDo00.htm

In 2014, ClemsonTigers.com noted the following about Woolford:

“Woolford now lives in Charlotte, N.C. but often travels back to the Windy City. He is affiliated with an auto warranty service and is president of the Donnell Woolford Foundation that assists the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Woolford will be Clemson’s legend representative at the ACC Championship game in December, an honor he certainly deserves.”

https://clemsontigers.com/where-are-they-now-donnell-woolford/

In 2017, ClemsonTigers.com noted the following about Woolford:

“Woolford is now finishing his degree at Clemson and serving as a student assistant football coach.

He will be inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in Columbia, S.C., on May 15.”

https://clemsontigers.com/block-c-club-spotlight-woolford/

Now Selflessly Giving Back to Others in His Community:

The America Youth Foundation notes how Donnell Woolford has been giving back so much of himself to others:

“Since his retirement from professional football, Donnell returned to his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was co-owner of the Fayetteville Ruff Riders football team from 2004-2005, which is part of the Mason Dixon Football League. He coached football at East Lincoln High School in Denver, North Carolina. Donnell continues to support his hometown community by mentoring and coaching the local youth as part of the annual Jimmy Raye Clinic and supports several other non-profit organizations within the community and across the nation. The Jimmy Raye Clinic is supported by the United States Army and is a mentoring program for youth of all ages. He has also donated land in Hope Mills, North Carolina as a contribution to the building of World Faith Ministries.

Donnell’s community activities include serving as a Board Member on several non-profit Organizations which include:
1. The Allegro Foundation, which raises funds for children with disabilities. He also C0-Chaired their charity Golf Tournament
2. The Puzzle Piece Foundation, whose primary focus is to support teachers and organizations that provide services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
3. The Union League Boys and Girls Club for Chicago, whose mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”

https://www.americayouthfoundation.org/donnell_woolford/

And still more to come! According to Spectrum local news:

“I planted a seed here in my hometown. And I wanted to give back to my community,” he said.
The 14 acres of the future Dream Center are behind the World Faith Clinic Church outside of Hope Mills.

Woolford and his supporters say it’ll be a place that’ll provide temporary housing and will support veterans. Reverend Charles Young, Jr. is the pastor at the church.

“We see kids running. We see a place where hope and a place where people that are broken can come in any situation,” said Young.

Woolford doesn’t have a timetable yet for when the Dream Center will be built.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2024/04/11/former-nfl-player-building--dream-center-#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20planted%20a%20seed%20here,housing%20and%20will%20support%20veterans.

Outstanding Mr. Woolford! Well done, Sir!

Yet another True Clemson Man!!

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Thanks, O.J.!

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26 - Donnell Woolford had 26 Yards in Interception Returns for Clemson