Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 21 Days with Donnell Woolford

Donnell Woolford becomes dependable starter with Chicago Bears

Woolford quickly earned a starting cornerback position as a rookie, joining a star-studded unit that included the likes of Mike Singletary, Ron Rivera, Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, and even former Clemson standout William Perry. In his first season, Woolford started all 11 games that he was available for and finished with a solid showing, highlighted by three interceptions and 56 total tackles.

The dependability and production that Woolford exhibited as a rookie would go on to define his time as a Chicago Bear. Over the next three seasons, Woolford again started every game that he was available and hauled in 12 interceptions from 1990 - 1992, highlighted by a seven-interception year in his fourth season as a professional. During his span, he helped the Chicago Bears reach two playoff births, although they were unable to make much noise in either appearance.

Despite his seven interception total in 1992, a total that was third-highest across the league during the season, Woolford's best year came arguably the following season. In a full 16-game slate as the team's starting cornerback, Woolford's 1993 season saw two interceptions and over 100 total tackles. Despite the team's failure to return to the playoffs, Woolford finished the season with a Pro Bowl nomination, the first, and only, of his career.

The next season, Woolford had another impressive season with five interceptions and over 50 tackles in another full 16-game season, but in 1995, he played in and started just nine of the team's games due to injury. He still had a strong showing to the tune of four interceptions, but he returned in full health and force for the following 1996 season.

In what would end up being his final year as a Chicago Bear, Woolford finished the season with six interceptions in 15 starts, the second-highest single-season total of his career. He also returned one of these picks for a touchdown, marking the first such return of his career. Following the year, Woolford elected to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 1997 campaign.

As a Steeler, Woolford assumed the role of a starting cornerback and helped lead the defense in 12 of the 15 games he was available. In his lone AFC season, Woolford recorded four interceptions and 50 tackles before retiring after the year. He stepped away from the NFL after a nine-season career that saw eight years spent with the Chicago Bears.