Woods was appointed to the New Britain Board of Education two weeks ago by Common Council members.

 

"My wife grew up here, I go to church here, my children go to Diloreto Elementary School, and I want to be a part of change," Woods said of his interest in the Board of Education.

"I think the biggest challenge will be that I’m a novice, and still learning, but I really want to help dispel the myth about New Britain schools. People should know that we have a reputable educational system.

Woods is used to tackling challenges. The transition from wearing a helmet and football uniform to a suit and tie has been a challenge for Woods because, he said, football will always be in his heart.

Woods’ passion for the sport of football began in high school. As a young child growing up in the city of Normandy, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis, he would play football in the streets. When he was ready to join his high school team he was only 5-feet, 1-inch tall and weighed 100 pounds. Wood’s says his mother didn’t want him to play.

"My mom thought I was too small. And in my freshman year, two of my vertebrae shifted." Woods said. "I sat out my sophomore year of high school. But I worked out the summer before my junior year and gained 100 pounds, grew taller and played varsity."

Leaving St. Lutheran High School to attend Concordia University in Nebraska was a huge transition for Woods. He was surprised by the hometown feel, and what he refers to as the "welcoming spirit."

"Everyone around me was saying hello. I wasn’t used to that. Everyone was so friendly." Woods said. "I mean, I lived in a suburb outside of St. Louis -- this was Nebraska. It was different to be in place with a small-town atmosphere."

And it was in college where things began to change for Woods. Originally recruited to play defense, he urged the coach to play him at offense. "I wanted to be the wide receiver, catching the ball and running in for the touchdown." Woods said.

"I convinced the coach to give me some time. It took me three days, and I was ready, and they put me on offense."

The beginning of his offensive career garnered him a lot of attention. In his junior year he made pre-season All America. Woods began to set his sights on the NFL.

"A lot of scouts were coming around and my name got out because of my stats." Woods said. "And, I’d always wanted to play in NFL."

So when his agent called him to let him know he was picked up as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints for the 1988-89 season, he screamed an emphatic "Yes!"

"That’s all I could say, over and over again, ‘yes’." Woods said. "But, it was bittersweet, because I only wished my father, who died my first year in high school, was around to see it.

"He was a big Dallas Cowboy fan, and he would’ve loved to see me play. My first game was against the Cowboys."

However, it was a short-lived NFL career for Woods, who played only four pre-season and three regular season games with the Saints, but he believes the experience was rewarding.

"I got to be on the same field as Eric Dickerson and Deion Sanders." Woods said. "I remember thinking, wow, they’re good."

After stints in Canada and Europe, Woods landed in Massachusetts playing for the Western Massachusetts Blitzing Bears. He just completed the 2004-05 season as an all-star, but says he’s done with his football career now and wants to get back into his martial arts and focus on education in the community of New Britain.

"Education is very important to me." Woods said. "My father told me a long time ago, that you need to make education No. 1 in your life. It’s something that no one can take away from you.

"Sometimes, I look back and wonder what would have happened if I stayed on defense." Woods said. "But I’m happy with what I’ve chosen, I have no regrets. Everything is a learning experience."

Woods lives with his wife, Denise, daughters, Gabriella, 5, and Veronique, 6, and pet African grey parrot, which has a vocabulary of nearly 1000 words.

Franchone Fraser-Ben Reuben Bey can be reached at ffraser@newbritainherald.com.