It was almost exactly a year ago when Dallas Cowboys legend Darren Woodson finally hurdled over an obstacle, and after being a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for six straight years, advanced to being a finalist.
"It's been on my mind,'' said Woodson, who retiring following the 2003 season as a three-time Super Bowl winner and Dallas' all-time leading tackler. "And it's something I worked toward. ... I wanna go hard all the time. This is a moment that I'm not going to take lightly.
"I burn hot every single day.''
It didn't happen last year, as Woodson dealt with disappointment again, while watching fellow Cowboys legend make it as a class of 2023 honoree.
But "burning hot'' still applies ... and once again, Woodson is back in the mix, as he has been selected as a finalist for the second straight year.
Woodson is among 15 modern-era finalists, who will all head to Las Vegas, the site of Super Bowl LVIII. The 2024 class will be announced Feb. 8 at the NFL Honors show.
Woodson spend his entire career, from 1992 to 2003, with the Cowboys. Woodson spent his entire career with the Cowboys, He was selected to five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams. He's in the team's Ring of Honor and he exemplifies what it means to be an ambassador for the sport.
Joining Woodson are Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Dwight Freeney, Antonio Gates, Rodney Harrison, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne and Patrick Willis.
A year ago, Woodson said he wanted into Canton in part to represent the 90's Cowboys defenses that helped win those three Super Bowls.
"They were so damn good,'' Woodson said. "I'm representing my brothers.''
And maybe this year, he'll get the chance to do so in Canton.
More must-reads: