John R. Woodring (1986) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

John R. Woodring

Induction:
1986
Class:
1981

John R. Woodring '81
Hometown: Norwalk, CT
Sport: Football
Year Inducted: 1986

Linebacker John Woodring confirmed the promise of his Brown career when he was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 1981 NFL draft and played five seasons with them. Described by his coach, John Anderson, as "the best linebacker in Brown history," Woodring was an intense, aggressive player with exceptional skills, who finished his career with 313 total tackles. He was the leading tackler in all three of his years as a varsity starter, and compiled a total of 97 solo tackles his senior year. He was an honorable mention All-American and second team All-East as a senior, also grabbing All-Ivy and All-New England honors twice each. Woodring at times seemed like a one-man defense. In his senior ear alone, he collected five sacks, four interceptions, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. He received the Eugene C. Swift Award for character, devotion, fairness, and courage at the conclusion of his last season for the Bruins. The previous year he was honored with the Tuss McLaughry Trophy for contributing the most to the team. Today John Woodring is a management trainer at Bear Stearns & Co., and lives in Norwalk, Connecticut, with his wife Eva (who was expecting their first child imminently as this program went to press).