NEW YORK -- With tears streaming down his cheeks, he hoisted the Heisman Trophy and thanked his best friend.
"Mom," Michigan's Charles Woodson said, "this is for you. You helped mold me into the person I am today. I couldn't have done this without you. Thank you. I love you, mom."
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Saturday brought tears and a Heisman Trophy to Charles Woodson. (AP)
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Soon after Woodson became the first defensive player to win this coveted award -- though he does play sparingly at wide receiver and as a punt returner -- he walked over to his mom, Georgia, and embraced her. Despite Woodson's confidence, even he wasn't sure what to expect Saturday at the Downtown Athletic Club.
WOODSON'S SEVEN INTERCEPTIONS AND four touchdowns was difficult to compare to Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning's 3,819 yards passing and 36 touchdowns. What pushed Woodson over the top was his performance against Ohio State that included five tackles, three pass breakups, one interception, a 78-yard punt return for a TD and a 37-yard touchdown reception in a crucial 20-14 victory that sent the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl.
Woodson received 1,815 points, 272 more than Manning's 1,543. Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf finished third with 861 points, followed by Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss (253) and Texas running back Ricky Williams (135).
"This is big, just so special," Woodson said. "I had to share it with my mom."
Said Georgia Woodson: "When he was younger, I knew he was going to be a great player. I'm prouder that he's a fine young man with good values. I love him so much."
BEFORE THE SEASON, MANNING SEEMED like a surefire bet. The moment he announced that he was returning for his senior season, he was the clear-cut favorite to win. Being the classy person he is, Manning harbored no resentment for coming in second.
"I'm more disappointed for the great fans in Tennessee who wanted me to win," said Manning, who was reportedly left off 98 ballots. "I came back to win a championship. I've said that all along. It's almost a relief that the Heisman is over with. Now I won't have to answer any more questions about it. I congratulate Charles. He deserved it. He's a great player who's great for college football."
Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, however, wasn't as diplomatic.
"He's the best player in America," Fulmer said. "I understand why people voted the way they did. I admit that I'm biased, but there's no way Woodson meant more to his team than Peyton did for our team. Peyton's character, class and leadership on and off the field is unprecedented in today's game.
"Charles had a terrific season. I'll always come away from here believing that the Heisman winner finished second."
Not Leaf, who will face Woodson's Wolverines in the Rose Bowl.
"The guy is awesome," Leaf said of Woodson. "That doesn't mean I won't go straight at him in the Rose Bowl. Coach (Mike) Price will probably tell me to stay away from him. I'm going right at him. It'll be fun to play against him because we've become real good friends the past few days. He's a great guy and we've had a lot of fun here. Now the Rose Bowl will mean more to me if we beat them. I'll know we went right at the greatest player in the country and came out on top."
THE FACT THAT WOODSON WON while primarily being a defensive player is the most surprising part of all. In 1980, Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green placed second behind South Carolina running back George Rogers. This season was markedly different as no running back was even invited to New York.
If Woodson was purely a cornerback, he admits this whole scenario probably wouldn't have panned out. Let's say he was. Would he still deserve to win?
"Absolutely," said Michigan safety Marcus Ray, who accompanied Woodson to the Downtown Athletic Club and is his closest friend on the team. "No one bothers to challenge him week in and week out. That's the highest compliment you can pay to a cornerback. When a team does challenge him, you've seen what happens. He's such a great athlete that he makes things happen on offense and special teams. Shoot, he could probably punt, kick extra points and field goals if we needed him to. I'm so thrilled for Charles. I'm honored that I have the chance to share this night with him and his family."
For Woodson, the celebration continues. He'll spend Saturday and Sunday with Georgia. On Monday, Woodson will officially be honored at the Heisman Trophy award dinner at the Marriott Marquis. After that, it's a brief respite in Ann Arbor, before heading for Pasadena, Calif., and a date against Washington State in the Rose Bowl.
IT'S BEEN A WHIRLWIND TOUR, one Woodson prays will result in a national championship.
"I thank the Lord every day for giving me this God-given ability," he said. "I have to utilize it while I can. It would be just unbelievable if we won the national championship on top of the Heisman Trophy. Never in my wildest dreams could I have pictured all of this when I first arrived at Michigan. I am truly, truly blessed."
Woodson wasn't just referring to football. He was referring to his mentor, his confidant, his best friend.
His mom.
"She's just as responsible for this as I am," said Woodson, once again fighting back tears. "She's No. 1 in my heart. This is for her."
Andy Jasner is a sportswriter on CBS SportsLine's staff.
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