Oakland Raiders play making safety and defensive leader Charles Woodson as announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2015 season.

Woodson has been the leader for the Raiders surprisingly strong defensive backfield. Woodson is now 39 so the announcement does not necessarily come as a surprise but this does mark and end of an era for Raiders football. Woodson started his career with the Raiders in 1998 and played with the team until 2005. After being franchise tagged twice by Oakland, Woodson would play for the Green Bay Packers from 2006 to 2012.

Woodson would win a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2011. Woodson would return to the Raiders where he intended to spend the rest of his career.

Woodson is a highly decorated defensive back who might be one of the best ever to play the game. He is the only player in NFL history to have at least 50 interceptions and 20 sacks throughout his career. Woodson is a four time First team All-Pro, and an 8 time Pro Bowler. Woodson leaving does force the Raiders to fill a void at safety which they will most likely need to address in the draft.