OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson led the O.co Coliseum crowd in a chant following a 23-20 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.
"Let me hear it one time," he shouted to the crowd. "Rai-ders! Rai-ders! Rai-ders!"
Woodson, who was playing in his final home game, addressed Raiders fans and thanked them for their loyalty over his 18-year NFL career. He played his first eight seasons with the Raiders before going to the Green Bay Packers for seven seasons. He came back to the Raiders before the 2013 season.
"It has been a joy for me to come back and play here for the second time around," Woodson said.
"You guys are under great leadership, and this team is going to get so much better really soon."
There were reports before the game that Woodson might play a few offensive plays. He came in and was part of a reverse in overtime. He took the handoff and appeared to be looking to throw what would have been the winning touchdown to quarterback Derek Carr. Instead, Woodson was chased out of bounds.
Woodson, 39, announced on Monday that he will retire at the end of the regular season. He had been planning to announce his retirement in January but decided to make his intentions known this week in order to say goodbye to the Oakland fans.
"Though this is my last game in the Coliseum, just know I will never leave you," Woodson said. "Go Raiders."
Woodson was named to his ninth Pro Bowl on Tuesday.
