A few years ago, I got in my car and made the hour-long drive to Pleasanton to see my nephew, Brian, play in a youth football game.

One of the first people I ran into upon arriving at Foothill High School on that unusually warm September afternoon was Rod Woodson. That’s right — the Rod Woodson who was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s for his standout play as a defensive back on four different teams. The same Rod Woodson who was a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team for intercepting 71 passes over 17 seasons.

I shook Rod’s hand, congratulated him on a great pro career, and told him about the two years that I covered him while he was with the Oakland Raiders during training camp at Redwood Middle School in Napa.

Those two camps in the heat of the summer probably seemed like a distant memory for Woodson, a six-time first-team All-Pro selection who was chosen to play in 11 Pro Bowls.

But football was still front and center on this day for Woodson, a cornerback/safety.

He was working as an assistant coach for Brian’s team, the Tri-Valley Falcons, part of the Delta Youth Football League.

How cool is that? A group of 13- and 14-year-olds having a coach on their sideline who played and excelled at the highest level of football. And now he’s instructing them in the fine art of defense — the correct way to tackle, cover receivers and rush the quarterback.

I can remember my brother, Mike, and Brian talking about how great of an influence Woodson and the other coaches, including former NFL defensive lineman Doug Hollie, had on the team. That it was a learning process every step of the way, and how the team was taught to play with pride, character and discipline.

I also remember the way in which Woodson — despite having some last-minute things to take care of as he got ready for the game — welcomed me to the field and made me feel right at home. It was a classy move on his part.

He had a game to coach, but found time to spend a few minutes talking about his days playing for Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Baltimore and Oakland.

He’s the NFL’s all-time leader in interception return yardage (1,483) and holds the record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns (12).

A lot of awards have come Woodson’s way as a player, but none bigger than the announcement Saturday that he was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He joins wide receiver Bob Hayes, guard Randall McDaniel, defensive end Bruce Smith, linebacker Derrick Thomas and owner Ralph Wilson as the Class of 2009 enshrinees.

Wilson founded the Buffalo Bills in 1959.

“I don’t think any of us started playing football because we wanted to be in the Hall of Fame,” Woodson told The Associated Press.

The six-man class was elected by the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, which met in Tampa, Fla. The newest members of the Hall were selected from a list of 17 finalists that had been determined earlier by the committee.

Enshrinement ceremonies will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. It will be televised by ESPN and NFL Network.

There will be a lot to cover when Woodson, a first-team All-American at Purdue and a first-round pick of the Steelers in 1987, is introduced to the crowd at the Hall of Fame. Among the highlights:

• Played in 238 games with 229 starts.

• The first interception of his pro career resulted in a 45-yard touchdown return.

• NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

• Ranks third on the NFL all-time list for career interceptions.

• Earned All-Pro honors as a cornerback, kick returner and safety.

The Hall of Fame enshrinement festival is a multi-day celebration of the newest HOF class.

Held in Canton each year, the festival includes 15 special public events and culminates with the enshrinement ceremony and NFL Hall of Fame Game, which has Buffalo taking on Tennessee on Aug. 9.

Woodson, who made it into the Hall in his first year of eligibility, is still very much involved in the game.

He’s an analyst for NFL Network and coaches at Valley Christian School in Dublin.

You can be sure a ton of cards, e-mails and calls have come Woodson’s way from those expressing their congratulations on his HOF election.

If they haven’t done so already, the Tri-Valley Falcons should send a note to Woodson, thanking him for all he did during that season they spent together and passing on their good wishes on his recent honor.   

E-mail Executive Sports Editor Marty James at mjames@napanews.com or call 256-2223.