Richard Wood
Encyclopedia
Richard Marlon Wood is a former American football
All-American linebacker
who played in the National Football League
.
where he was a three time All-American for the USC Trojans
(1972-1974 seasons). The USC Trojans won two National Championships during Wood's playing years. Wood was modest-sized for a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
(formerly NCAA Division I-A) middle linebacker, but made up for the lack of bulk with lightning speed, game stamina, and a fondness for violent tackles
. His trademark "Batman
" 'band of black' painted across his nose and around both eyes, as those eyes peered out from his helmet, was celebrated by his teammates, the sports press, and Trojan football fans, and was a gesture to intimidate opponent team linemen and ballcarriers.
Wood came to the varsity as a sophomore in 1972 and not only led the undefeated Trojans in tackles, he surpassed the total of his closest teammate by 30 stops and was also given the responsibility of calling the defensive signals. Wood had five interceptions
, returning one for a touchdown
and deflected four other passes. For his efforts he gained first-team All-America
status. In his junior year he once again led USC to a conference title and another trip to the Rose Bowl
. He was a consensus All-America
in 1973. In 1974, Wood was part of his second victorious Rose Bowl and national title team. He repeated as a consensus All-America
choice. While at USC the Trojans amassed a 31-3-2 record. In 2007 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
.
and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
.
He was also an assistant defensive coach in the early 1990s for the Bucs under head coach
Sam Wyche
.
in Tampa, Florida
.
His brother, Jake Wood
, played Major League Baseball
from 1961 to 1967 with the Detroit Tigers
and the Cincinnati Reds
.
His son, Marlon Wood, plays wide receiver
for the University of Washington
.
He played football in high school at Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
All-American linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
College career
Wood attended the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
where he was a three time All-American for the USC Trojans
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy...
(1972-1974 seasons). The USC Trojans won two National Championships during Wood's playing years. Wood was modest-sized for a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
(formerly NCAA Division I-A) middle linebacker, but made up for the lack of bulk with lightning speed, game stamina, and a fondness for violent tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
. His trademark "Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
" 'band of black' painted across his nose and around both eyes, as those eyes peered out from his helmet, was celebrated by his teammates, the sports press, and Trojan football fans, and was a gesture to intimidate opponent team linemen and ballcarriers.
Wood came to the varsity as a sophomore in 1972 and not only led the undefeated Trojans in tackles, he surpassed the total of his closest teammate by 30 stops and was also given the responsibility of calling the defensive signals. Wood had five interceptions
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
, returning one for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
and deflected four other passes. For his efforts he gained first-team All-America
1972 College Football All-America Team
The 1972 College Football All-America team is composed of various organizations that choose College All-America teams that season. The organizations that chose the teams were Associated Press, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America,...
status. In his junior year he once again led USC to a conference title and another trip to the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. He was a consensus All-America
1973 College Football All-America Team
The 1973 College Football All-America team is composed of various organizations that choose College All-America teams that season. The organizations that chose the teams were Associated Press, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America,...
in 1973. In 1974, Wood was part of his second victorious Rose Bowl and national title team. He repeated as a consensus All-America
1974 College Football All-America Team
The 1974 College Football All-America team is composed of various organizations that choose College All-America teams that season. The organizations that chose the teams were Associated Press, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America,...
choice. While at USC the Trojans amassed a 31-3-2 record. In 2007 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Professional career
Wood played from 1975 to 1984 for the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
.
He was also an assistant defensive coach in the early 1990s for the Bucs under head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Sam Wyche
Sam Wyche
Samuel David "Sam" Wyche is a former American football player and head coach, who is best known as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL...
.
Personal
He currently coaches high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.
His brother, Jake Wood
Jake Wood (baseball)
Jacob "Jake" Wood Jr. , was a Major League Baseball player who played seven seasons in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds . Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Wood was the Tigers' starting second baseman from 1961-1963. After 1963, Wood was a utility infielder and backup...
, played Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from 1961 to 1967 with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
His son, Marlon Wood, plays wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
.
He played football in high school at Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey.