Woodson

IRVING, Texas — Charles Woodson knows this could be his last chance.

He’s been to the Super Bowl once — and lost — in 13 NFL seasons and knows it’s probably not wise to count on anything beyond Sunday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I just understand that where I’m at in my career, I don’t know how much football’s left,” Woodson said Wednesday, surrounded by cameras and microphones at the Green Bay Packers’ team hotel. “And so before you leave this game, I think every man wants to win that championship. This is a golden, golden opportunity to get that accomplishment.”

The cornerback lost the 2003 Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders, something that still bothers him because he was playing hurt.

Packers players know how much winning on Sunday would means to Woodson, and want to get it for him.

“He’s been around for a while now and has a lot of respect throughout the NFL and especially in our locker room,” Packers rookie outside linebacker Frank Zombo said. “When he talks, it’s almost like an honor to listen to him.”

The Packers chose Woodson as one of their six captains for the postseason, and the other five decided he would be the one to give the locker room speeches.

“He is a special type of guy and a special player,” linebacker A.J. Hawk said. “He has really embraced it and done really well with that. I think that because it is natural for him.”

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward calls Woodson a “beast,” a versatile player who often is a cornerback in name only.

“The guy, he can pick the ball off, he can make you fumble, he’s a great tackler,” Ward said. “I just can’t stop saying enough about him.”

Woodson has no idea how many seasons he has left.

“I don’t think I’ve lost anything, if that’s what you’re asking, but this is 13 (seasons), you know? How many more can I do? I don’t know,” he said.