Abe Woodson

Abraham Benjamin Woodson (February 15, 1934 – February 8, 2014) was an American professional football cornerback and kick returner who played nine seasons in the National Football League. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, he moved to Chicago at a young age and played high school football for Austin High School as a runner, passer, and punter. His team won the Public League Championship in 1952, and he was the top selection at All-State halfback of the Chicago Daily News All-State Football Board.

Woodson spent the bulk of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and also played two years with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is considered a progenitor of the bump and run coverage technique as a defensive back. Over his career he was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls and named to multiple All-Pro teams, led the NFL in kick return average three times, and returned five kickoffs for touchdowns. Sports Illustrated described him at cornerback as "one of the rare players who has waterbug reflexes, greyhound speed and an appetite for tackling."

In 2021, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Woodson to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2021.