Thanks for doing this video on one of my top favorite players. Thanks for the detailed game by game stats of the season. Always loved that photo of Don going up against the Steel Curtain!
You found a hidden gem if only for a year! I have definitely heard of Woods but I honestly had largely forgotten about him!. Another informative production!😊
Thanks! I came across him in a Sport magazine article and it was too good of a subject to pass up. Incidently, Carl Garrett also attended the U of NM (Highlands). That's a reason as to why Woods selected that college, along with it being somewhat close to his hometown in Texas.
He was truly a comet, passing through the NFL swiftly. He made quite a splash. Always great to breakdown certain teams in particular seasons. There's always interesting stories in the background. Thank you sir!
I sure do miss these Charger uniforms. Brings me back to when we came to San Diego in Aug. 1979. Just in time for Air Coryell. One of the most exciting offenses in History. Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson, Chuck Muncie, and a name familiar to us Ed White(who should be in Canton). And I might one of the few on the planet who loved the San Diego "Super Chargers" funky fight song. Such a shame they became greedy and had to leave town.
From all accounts, the Chargers are the first NFL team to wear colored (all non-gray) facemasks. 1974 (along with their then-new uniforms) was the year. San Diego's fellow division rivals, Denver and Kansas City, debuted white facemasks that season. Love the clip of the Eagles vs Chargers, both wearing classic uniforms that were brand new for '74.
1:10-an interesting photo of Packers HC Dan Devine holding crutches. That's from 1971 when he sustained a broken leg while on the sidelines during his Green Bay coaching debut in a week 1 home loss to the NY Giants. Looking at Eric Torkelson had me thinking about other Packers of note who wore no. 26, such as Herb Adderley and Chuck "Scud Missile" Cecil. According to Wikipedia, three Packers who had the number (Adderley, Claude Perry, Bob Forte) are HOFers. One of my favorite plays comes from a recently departed Packer who bore the same number in Darnell Savage. Though he's now playing in Jacksonville, I'll always enjoy his pick-six of Dak Prescott in last season's playoff drubbing of the Cowboys.
Another fine history lesson. Always enjoy learning about the little know or forgotten players. I really enjoy how these short compilations of whatever the theme, player, or team is and how these films brings back fond memories and nostalgia for a few that choose to jot down a few words about those memories.
Woods looked like had the goods! Maybe a video about the greatest comeback teams/QB’s of the era. You have the 75 Cardinals the 1980 Browns and the Vikings seemed to pull out some last minute wins. Maybe try to determine who had the most. Or was Staubach really Captain Comeback or did someone else do it better? Kind of like the old Alcoa Fantastic Finishes segment. Those are always interesting videos. Either way, enjoy them all. Thanks, Mark!
I think we tend to love the team uniforms we grew up watching. I love the Chargers powder blues but I actually prefer the 70s and early 80s unis. Great video as always.
Great runner. He had the God given skills. What happened to him? Did he get hurt? I gotta tell you Mark , your music selection/edits is excellent. Like a professional. 👍
Thanks 👍 Woods sustained a knee injury in '75, only started 5 games, and could not regain the spark that propelled him to his magnificent rookie year. As always, thank you for your comments!
I looked into it and couldn’t find much - only that Don Woods (33) had a knee injury that required surgery. Looks like it happened in week 5 - in the Kansas City game at San Diego. That was the last game he appeared in in 1975. So I’m assuming that’s the game he got injured in. The Chargers had a disastrous ‘75 season, losing their first 11 games and finishing 2-12. Woods never came close to the explosive RB he was in ‘74. Those knee injuries back then were brutal.
According to the 1976 The Sporting News National Football Guide, Woods tore left knee ligaments in the second half of the week five game against Kansas City. He underwent surgery after the game.
RB's finite career length of just over three seasons....tough job, especially back in the day. The guys that did it year in and year out are an anomaly. I think Riggins is the only back to have more production in his 30s then his 20s. Woods had that "it" in '74 for sure. Thanks brother, you're appreciated. -I liked the bitter rivalries in the '70s which there were many....e.g. Dallas/Washington Den/Oak Rams/Niners. I think it would be a cool vid.
Thanks for the great video subject idea! Yeah, RB's just didn't last long back then. A bad injury was the kiss of death. You're right about Riggo - I can't think of anyobe else.
The 75 yard TD pass Fouts to Woods was a thing of beauty! Great pump fake then a perfect pass hitting Woods in stride! I didn't remember Woods having that ability to catch like that!
I had forgotten how excellent his rookie year was, largely because as you alluded to,Mark ,He didn't come close to duplicating it so he kinda gets lost in the shuffle!
I learned about what he did when a buddy tried to trade a '75 Stu Voigt for Woods '75 rookie card. I flipped over the card, strained to read his stats on that awful dark green and black card back and said "No way!"
# 27 on the Chargers that would be Gary “The Ghost” Garrison. I guess a poor man’s Lance Alworth. But still a great player. Chargers RB Hank Bauer posted a photo on Facebook about 5 months ago Chargers RB and FLankers 1978 -77 ?? Hank Don Woods Lydell Mitchell,Johnny Rodgers can’t remember the others perhaps Clarence Williams who had a great 1979 season. # 17 on the Chargers was Jesse Freitas out of SDSU. Jesse quit a couple years later. I was friends with his cousins Paul and Tina Freitas I talked to him on the phone I asked him why he quit I guess he was just burnt out on football and Tommy Prothro!! If Jesse just could have hung in there a couple more years until October of 1978 when Don Coryell became Head Coach who knows what might have happened. For me one of the greatest” what Ifs” in Chargers history. Jesses younger brother Jim also played college football in the PCAA at Long Beach State. In one of the worst trades in Chargers history ,they traded Joe Washington straight up for Lydell Mitchell who injured his neck and hardly played at all for the Chargers.
You're right - Gary Garrison was a terrific WR, plus he's very underrated. That Washington/Mitchell trade for S.D. made no sense to mr. Mitchell was used up by then and Washington was an up and comer. Thank you for providing your interesting comments!
Yes, it was Freitas. They drafted him in '74 out of San Diego State and he started the last 3 games of the season, so they could see what he had. Also, I'm sure that they hoped for more fans to attend their home games in weeks 13 and 14. The Chargers won those last two games.
IM 66 YEARS OLD BORN AND RAISED IN BROOKLYN NEW YORK CITY I'VE BEEN A CHARGERS FAN BECAUSE OF DAN FOUTS THE GREATEST QUARTERBACK EVER CHARLIE JOINER JOHN JEFFERSON KELLEN WINSLOW CHUCK MUNCIE ED WHITE DAN MACEK AND HANK BAUER THE GREATEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER EVER AND DON CORYELL THE GREATEST COACH EVER
Interesting Woods broke Brockington’s rookie record. If GB would have kept Woods I doubt he would have set the rookie record with Brockington and Lane in the GB backfield.
I think it's wonderful how you are giving the overlooked stars their due.
Thank you very much! I enjoy their background information and find it fascinating.
Thanks for doing this video on one of my top favorite players. Thanks for the detailed game by game stats of the season. Always loved that photo of Don going up against the Steel Curtain!
Glad you enjoyed! That Steelers photo was taken in week one 1975 and the Steelers trounced the Chargers 37 to 0! Woods had 13 carries for 35 yards.
You found a hidden gem if only for a year! I have definitely heard of Woods but I honestly had largely forgotten about him!. Another informative production!😊
Thanks! I came across him in a Sport magazine article and it was too good of a subject to pass up. Incidently, Carl Garrett also attended the U of NM (Highlands). That's a reason as to why Woods selected that college, along with it being somewhat close to his hometown in Texas.
@@markgardner9460 New Mexico Highlands !.Not exactly a household name!
He was truly a comet, passing through the NFL swiftly. He made quite a splash. Always great to breakdown certain teams in particular seasons. There's always interesting stories in the background. Thank you sir!
That's what really thrills me about some of these players or teams - there's some great anecdotes to unearth and share!
I sure do miss these Charger uniforms. Brings me back to when we came to San Diego in Aug. 1979. Just in time for Air Coryell. One of the most exciting offenses in History. Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson, Chuck Muncie, and a name familiar to us Ed White(who should be in Canton). And I might one of the few on the planet who loved the San Diego "Super Chargers" funky fight song. Such a shame they became greedy and had to leave town.
Those uni's are in my top 3 of all-time and could be #1, but their powder blue ones are outta sight, too!
@@markgardner9460 Love the powder blue jersey!
From all accounts, the Chargers are the first NFL team to wear colored (all non-gray) facemasks. 1974 (along with their then-new uniforms) was the year. San Diego's fellow division rivals, Denver and Kansas City, debuted white facemasks that season. Love the clip of the Eagles vs Chargers, both wearing classic uniforms that were brand new for '74.
1:10-an interesting photo of Packers HC Dan Devine holding crutches. That's from 1971 when he sustained a broken leg while on the sidelines during his Green Bay coaching debut in a week 1 home loss to the NY Giants. Looking at Eric Torkelson had me thinking about other Packers of note who wore no. 26, such as Herb Adderley and Chuck "Scud Missile" Cecil. According to Wikipedia, three Packers who had the number (Adderley, Claude Perry, Bob Forte) are HOFers. One of my favorite plays comes from a recently departed Packer who bore the same number in Darnell Savage. Though he's now playing in Jacksonville, I'll always enjoy his pick-six of Dak Prescott in last season's playoff drubbing of the Cowboys.
@@exmaj5040 I remember when Devine broke his leg!. Good post!
Haha “0lympic chain smoking team”……good stuff Mark!
Thanks! He was also a big Coca-Cola fan. The guy must have been perpetually wired.
@@markgardner9460He was born in 1920 so he would have been 51-52 when he coached the Rams,.his chain smoking made him look considerably older!
Wow. He definitely looked older than that.
Another fine history lesson. Always enjoy learning about the little know or forgotten players. I really enjoy how these short compilations of whatever the theme, player, or team is and how these films brings back fond memories and nostalgia for a few that choose to jot down a few words about those memories.
Glad you like them! Thanks!
Woods looked like had the goods! Maybe a video about the greatest comeback teams/QB’s of the era. You have the 75 Cardinals the 1980 Browns and the Vikings seemed to pull out some last minute wins. Maybe try to determine who had the most. Or was Staubach really Captain Comeback or did someone else do it better? Kind of like the old Alcoa Fantastic Finishes segment. Those are always interesting videos. Either way, enjoy them all. Thanks, Mark!
OK - good suggestion! I'll look into this and see what I can come up with. Thanks, Evan!
I think we tend to love the team uniforms we grew up watching. I love the Chargers powder blues but I actually prefer the 70s and early 80s unis. Great video as always.
When I was kid, my first favorite jersey was the '73 Rams, but then the Chargers came out with their '74's and they took the top spot!
That old AFC West division was total smash mouth in those days.! Awesome footage of Don Woods here! You have a cool collection of jerseys too!
Thank you, Classic Rocker!
Knee injuries, particularly for a running back, were the kiss of death in those days.
If only arthoscopic surgery was available then.
Great runner. He had the God given skills. What happened to him? Did he get hurt?
I gotta tell you Mark , your music selection/edits is excellent. Like a professional. 👍
Thanks 👍 Woods sustained a knee injury in '75, only started 5 games, and could not regain the spark that propelled him to his magnificent rookie year. As always, thank you for your comments!
I looked into it and couldn’t find much - only that Don Woods (33) had a knee injury that required surgery. Looks like it happened in week 5 - in the Kansas City game at San Diego. That was the last game he appeared in in 1975. So I’m assuming that’s the game he got injured in. The Chargers had a disastrous ‘75 season, losing their first 11 games and finishing 2-12. Woods never came close to the explosive RB he was in ‘74. Those knee injuries back then were brutal.
According to the 1976 The Sporting News National Football Guide, Woods tore left knee ligaments in the second half of the week five game against Kansas City. He underwent surgery after the game.
@@markgardner9460 That’ll do it.
Great video Mark. Thanks!
Glad you liked it! Thanks!
RB's finite career length of just over three seasons....tough job, especially back in the day. The guys that did it year in and year out are an anomaly. I think Riggins is the only back to have more production in his 30s then his 20s. Woods had that "it" in '74 for sure. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.
-I liked the bitter rivalries in the '70s which there were many....e.g. Dallas/Washington Den/Oak Rams/Niners. I think it would be a cool vid.
Thanks for the great video subject idea!
Yeah, RB's just didn't last long back then. A bad injury was the kiss of death. You're right about Riggo - I can't think of anyobe else.
Great stuff again, Mark. I don't remember Woods at all.
Thank you - I ran across a Sport magazine article featuring him and ran with it.
I never would have guessed this one. Another great job🇺🇸🇺🇸👍
Thanks 👍
Nice jersey Mark!
Thanks! Strangely, I don't wear it nearly enough!
@@markgardner9460 Was your favorite jersey Billy Sims?.I remember you mentioned something but I don't remember which one
I think it's the powder blue Chargers Alworth
I remember watching Pothro as a teenager and he always had a smoke in his hands!
The 75 yard TD pass Fouts to Woods was a thing of beauty! Great pump fake then a perfect pass hitting Woods in stride! I didn't remember Woods having that ability to catch like that!
Faster than Csonka?.Well.#39.wasn't known for being fleet of foot!
Love seeing opinion passes like Woods threw vs the Jets!
13.4 ypc very nice!
I liked watching the razzle dazzle of the day.
Maybe 🤔 do a video of best field goal kickers of the 70’s?
OK, let me dwell on that and see if I can make a go of that. Thanks for the idea!
How is it possible that I remember Eric Torkelson and Coy Bacon but not Don Woods? The freakin' 70s was my peak paying-attention-to-football decade!
Maybe they have unique names whereas Woods isn't?
I love those old Chargers uniforms! And this is coming from a Raiders fan
The yellow facemask is awesome, too!
It would be nice to do feature on Playoff Bowl in Miami during the 60's
I actually put out a video last year that featured one of those games. I'll look into this subject matter in more detail. Thanks!
Oh wow! Woods fumbles to Torkelson! What a odd twist of fate!
Howard Cosell incorrectly stated on a MNF game that Peter Tork of The Monkeys was Torkelson's brother, but that was stated in error.
@@markgardner9460 I vaguely remember that!
Howard was probably overserved when he said it.
@@markgardner9460 😂 undoubtedly!
I had forgotten how excellent his rookie year was, largely because as you alluded to,Mark ,He didn't come close to duplicating it so he kinda gets lost in the shuffle!
I learned about what he did when a buddy tried to trade a '75 Stu Voigt for Woods '75 rookie card. I flipped over the card, strained to read his stats on that awful dark green and black card back and said "No way!"
@@markgardner9460 WOW that's interesting!
I think the Voigt card was creased, too. He was really trying to rip me off.
@@markgardner9460 Damn
...and he was one of my best friends!
Hi Mark - I think I’ll put on my Dan Fouts jersey for this one
Same one as the one that I donned in the video?
@@markgardner9460yep bc of the Don Woods mention
Sometimes when he dropped back to pass, he looked like a wagon rolling with one wheel about to fall off.
# 27 on the Chargers that would be Gary “The Ghost” Garrison. I guess a poor man’s Lance Alworth. But still a great player. Chargers RB Hank Bauer posted a photo on Facebook about 5 months ago Chargers RB and FLankers 1978 -77 ?? Hank Don Woods Lydell Mitchell,Johnny Rodgers can’t remember the others perhaps Clarence Williams who had a great 1979 season. # 17 on the Chargers was Jesse Freitas out of SDSU. Jesse quit a couple years later. I was friends with his cousins Paul and Tina Freitas I talked to him on the phone I asked him why he quit I guess he was just burnt out on football and Tommy Prothro!! If Jesse just could have hung in there a couple more years until October of 1978 when Don Coryell became Head Coach who knows what might have happened. For me one of the greatest” what Ifs” in Chargers history. Jesses younger brother Jim also played college football in the PCAA at Long Beach State. In one of the worst trades in Chargers history ,they traded Joe Washington straight up for Lydell Mitchell who injured his neck and hardly played at all for the Chargers.
You're right - Gary Garrison was a terrific WR, plus he's very underrated.
That Washington/Mitchell trade for S.D. made no sense to mr. Mitchell was used up by then and Washington was an up and comer.
Thank you for providing your interesting comments!
🎉🎉🎉
Was that Jesse Frietas quarterbacking? What happened to Fouts? Sorry for the double dip.
Yes, it was Freitas. They drafted him in '74 out of San Diego State and he started the last 3 games of the season, so they could see what he had. Also, I'm sure that they hoped for more fans to attend their home games in weeks 13 and 14. The Chargers won those last two games.
RIP Charley Johnson.
Excellent QB - fine leader. I'm glad that I did a recent video that featured him.
@@markgardner9460 Hence, the comment. Great job as always, Mark.
IM 66 YEARS OLD BORN AND RAISED IN BROOKLYN NEW YORK CITY I'VE BEEN A CHARGERS FAN BECAUSE OF DAN FOUTS THE GREATEST QUARTERBACK EVER CHARLIE JOINER JOHN JEFFERSON KELLEN WINSLOW CHUCK MUNCIE ED WHITE DAN MACEK AND HANK BAUER THE GREATEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER EVER AND DON CORYELL THE GREATEST COACH EVER
How 'bout Big Louie Kelcher anf Gary "Big Hands" Johnson?
It is strange that the only time the chargers made the sb, was with Humphreys, not Fouts or rivers,
Now that's a blast from the past!
University of New Mexico!
Interesting Woods broke Brockington’s rookie record. If GB would have kept Woods I doubt he would have set the rookie record with Brockington and Lane in the GB backfield.
Yeah, that wouldn't have happened. You're right.
It is to bad that he suffered a knee injury.
Yes, he could have been one of the best, in my opinion.
@@markgardner9460 I agree
@@markgardner9460 I absolutely love your video's
Right on! I like to hear that! Thanks.
$100 dollars?
Yes, that was the cost of a waiver transaction back then.