Top photos of Danny Woodhead throughout his career with the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) takes a handoff on a running play during the NFL football training camp on Friday, July 26, 2013 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) catches a pass while warming up before the NFL week 4 preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in San Diego. The 49ers won the game 41-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead dives for extra yard under pressure from Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Sunday, Sep. 15, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chargers defeated the Eagles 33-30.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs the ball on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2013 at LP Field. The Titans defeated the Chargers 20-17.
Sunday, Sep. 22, 2013 at LP Field. The Titans defeated the Chargers 20-17.
Sunday, Sep. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Cowboys 30-21.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) looks on from the sideline while holding his helmet during the NFL week 4 football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) catches a touchdown on Sunday, Sep. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Cowboys 30-21.
Sunday, Sep. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Cowboys 30-21.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) points and celebrates after catching a 26 yard touchdown pass good for a 7-0 first quarter lead during the NFL week 4 football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Sunday, Sep. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Cowboys 30-21.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Colts 19-9
Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Colts 19-9
Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Colts 19-9
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) dives past the Jacksonville Jaguars defense including middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) and free safety Josh Evans, left, for a 2-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 at EverBank Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Jaguars 24-6.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) with his helmet off prior to an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Oct. 20, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida. San Diego won 24-6.
(AP Photo/Scott A. Miller)
Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 at EverBank Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Jaguars 24-6.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs the ball on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at FedExField. The Redskins defeated the Chargers 30-24.
Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at FedExField. The Redskins defeated the Chargers 30-24.
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 28-20.
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 28-20.
Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Chargers 20-16.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at Arrow Head Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 41-38.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/FR34145 AP)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/FR34145 AP)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) hands the ball to fans after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at Arrow Head Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 41-38.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at Arrow Head Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 41-38.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at Arrow Head Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 41-38.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) is congratulated after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at Arrow Head Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 41-38.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at Arrow Head Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 41-38.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs with the ball on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Chargers 17-10.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead leaps into the end zone with a six yard touchdown reception as Chargers' coach Mike McCoy celebrates on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) fights for a pass with New York Giants cornerback Jayron Hosley (28) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) makes a one handed catch in front of New York Giants cornerback Jayron Hosley (28) and safety Will Hill (25) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14.
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 28-20.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, December 8, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 37-14. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 at Sports Authority Field. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 27-20.
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 at Sports Authority Field. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 27-20.
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 at Sports Authority Field. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 27-20.
Sunday, Dec. 23, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 26-13.
Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 27-24.
Sunday, Dec. 23, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 26-13.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) looks on during the NFL week 16 football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 26-13. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 27-24.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) tries to break free from a tackle as he runs the ball in overtime during the NFL week 17 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 27-24 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 27-24.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead gives the first down signal after catching a pass in the overtime period of the Chargers' 27-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in San Diego. The victory put the Chargers into the playoffs. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 27-24.
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) during an NFL regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game in overtime, 27-24. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Bengals 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card matchup.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) puts his arm around running back Danny Woodhead (39) during an AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, in Denver. The Broncos won the game, 24-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) during an AFC Divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 in Denver. The Broncos won the game, 24-17. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) walks onto field during the NFL AFC Divisional playoffs between the San Diego Chargers against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
A healthy Danny Woodhead returned to form in 2015 and reminded Chargers fans that he's one of the NFL's most dynamic players.
Woodhead played in only three games in 2014 due to a broken left ankle suffered during a game in Buffalo, but he returned to the field in 2015 and played in all 16 games. Not only did he play, but he led the Chargers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches as he became the first running back in franchise history to lead the team in all three categories. His 80 catches tied for most in the NFL among running backs with Detroit's Theo Riddick, while his receiving yards (755) and touchdown catches (six) were both tops in the League at his position. Also, his receptions and receiving yards were both career highs while his receiving touchdowns tied his career high. Woodhead tallied 336 rushing yards on the season to finish the year with a career-high and team-leading 1,091 yards from scrimmage. Lastly his nine total touchdowns also led the team and were a career high.
Woodhead's top performance of the season came on Dec. 20 against Miami when he scored a career-high four touchdowns, the first four-touchdown game by a Chargers player since 2007.
Woodhead joined the Chargers in 2013 and made an immediate impact, setting career highs for catches, receiving yards, touchdown catches, scrimmage yards and all-purpose yards. He finished the regular season with the most touchdown catches among all NFL running backs and the second-most receptions and receiving yards.
A native of North Platte, Neb. (pop. 25,000), Woodhead is one of the most popular athletes ever to come out of the Cornhusker state. He first came onto the national scene at Chadron State College after a record-setting career at North Platte High. Nebraska's 2003 Player of the Year, Woodhead was overlooked by the state's biggest schools, including the University of Nebraska, so he followed his older brother, Ben, to Chadron State where he became the first athlete in school history to receive a full-ride scholarship. Despite his diminutive 5-8, 200-pound frame, Woodhead set a number of records for the Eagles and he became a two-time winner of the Harlon Hill Award, Division II's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Woodhead left Chadron as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher (7,962 yards) and he tied the national mark with 109 touchdowns. Though Chadron State never won a national championship during Woodhead's career, the Eagles went 35-11 during his tenure, including back-to-back undefeated seasons and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles his junior and senior years. Their only loss each of those two seasons came in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals where both times they were defeated by Northwest Missouri State. In 2013, Woodhead was named to the Division II 40th-Anniversary Tribute Team.
Despite a record-breaking college career, Woodhead did not receive an invitation to participate at the 2008 NFL Combine. Instead he took part in a pro day on the University of Nebraska campus and posted a 40-yard dash time that would've been among the fastest at the Combine. Still, when the 2008 NFL Draft rolled around, all seven rounds came and went without Woodhead hearing his name called and he ended up signing a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Woodhead suffered a knee injury in training camp and spent his entire rookie year on the "Reserve-Injured" list. He returned in 2009 and played sparingly for the Jets, but in 2010 he was released after the first game of the season. It didn't take long for the rival New England Patriots to scoop up the Nebraska native and his career quickly hit an upswing. Woodhead played in 14 games for the Patriots and averaged a team-record 5.64 yards per carry for a squad that reached the AFC Divisional Playoffs. A year later, Woodhead helped the Patriots to a 13-3 regular season that culminated with a date with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. And in 2012, he helped New England to a 12-4 mark and a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
Woodhead seemed destined to play football from early on. As a child, he drew numbers on the backs of his cowboys and Indians and he held make-believe games in his bedroom. Looking for a bigger field, he once drew a football field in the middle of the family's living room with a green marker. And by the fourth grade, he was working as a ball boy at North Platte High School, where his dad, Mark, was an assistant coach.
The Woodhead family is extremely close. Danny was home-schooled until the ninth grade and his parents still live in North Platte, where Mark is now a school teacher and high school girls basketball coach. Both of his parents attended Chadron State. Mark played wide receiver for the Eagles in the late 1970s. Danny and Ben roomed together at Chadron and they later served as the best men in each other's weddings. All of the men in the Woodhead family go by the nickname "Woody," except for Mark, who goes by "Big Woody." They all enjoy playing golf and Danny, a scratch player, is the family's best. Mom, Annette, is extremely devout and to this day she still sends Danny scriptures prior to each of his games.
Woodhead and wife, Stacia, have two daughters, Gia Grace and Missy Faith, and a son, Will Daniel.
Woodhead has always been a popular NFL player but his popularity reached new heights in 2013 when Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway was photographed walking her dog in Los Angeles, while sporting a replica of Woodhead's No. 39 Chargers jersey.
TRANSACTION HISTORY: Signed with New York Jets as undrafted rookie, May 2, 2008...waived Sept. 6, 2009...re-signed to Jets' practice squad, Sept. 9...signed to Jets' active roster, Oct. 17...re-signed with Jets, Jan. 25, 2010...waived Sept. 14...signed with New England, Sept. 18, 2010...contract expired March 12, 2013... signed with Chargers, March 21...signed two-year contract extension through 2016 with Chargers, July 22, 2014.
