The following is a message from the office of Senator Kahn:
LaMarr Woodley, a Saginaw High School graduate and Super Bowl champion, was honored by the Michigan Senate Thursday and presented with a special tribute for his achievements on and off the field by Sen.
Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township.
"It is definitely a wonderful opportunity to be presented this award," Woodley said. "It was great to have all my coaches from high school and college, and my family here - it wouldn’t have been the same without them here today."
In addition to being a standout on the football fields for Saginaw High School, the University of Michigan and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Woodley started and continues to co-chair the "Heroes for Kids" program in Saginaw, which raises money for the Saginaw Youth Recreation Program.
"Giving back to the community is something I have to do," Woodley said. "Kids look up to sports players as role models and it’s important to set a positive example."
Woodley also sponsors Amateur Athlete Union basketball, donates shoes to the Family Youth Initiative, has purchased new football equipment for Saginaw High School, and makes himself available to speak with kids of all ages when he is back home.
"LaMarr is an exceptional person and a remarkable athlete," Kahn said. "He is truly someone our young people can look up to as a role model. He is a source of great pride to his parents, his state, his community and all who are fortunate to know him."
Woodley excelled on the football field under the guidance of Saginaw High School Head Coach Don Durrett. While playing at Saginaw High, he was named Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year. As a four year defensive starter, he collected 192 career tackles, and recovered six career fumbles. According to The Detroit News Blue Chip List, Woodley was the best football player in Michigan.
After graduating from high school he went on to the University of Michigan and played for Lloyd Carr, one of the most successful and respected head coaches in the nation.
"I think LaMarr did a wonderful job at the University of Michigan and certainly is off to a tremendous start in the NFL," Carr said. "I know that everyone back in Saginaw and at the university is happy for him and very proud of him."
Woodley’s success at Michigan is unparalleled. He holds the school record for most career forced fumbles with 10, ranks second only behind the great Mark Messner in stops behind the line of scrimmage with 50.5, and he helped lead the Wolverines in rush defense his senior season.
Nicknamed "Wood" he also became the first U of M player, and only the ninth from the Big Ten, to be awarded the Lombardi Trophy as the nation’s top college football lineman.
In 2007 Woodley was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the NFL Draft. He was named GMC Defensive Player of the Week twice in the 2008 season and named the NFL Defensive Player in Week 7.
Woodley also holds the distinction of the being the first player in NFL history to record multiple sacks in four consecutive playoff games.
Included in this list of sacks are two sacks in Super Bowl XLIII against Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner, with the second sack being the game ender.
