Feb. 2, 2010
MIAMI, Fla. -- The National Football League announced that quarterback Tom Brady (1996-99), left guard Steve Hutchinson (1997-2000) and cornerbacks Ty Law (1992-94) and Charles Woodson (1995-97) were named to the NFL's All-Decade Team, announced Sunday evening (Jan. 31) at the Pro Bowl. The contingent of four former Wolverine football standouts trailed only the five Miami (Fla.) players on the all-decade squad.
Florida State, Georgia, Kent State, Nebraska, Syracuse, Tennessee and Texas A&M were represented by two players on the all-decade squad. Ohio State was the only other Big Ten Conference institution with a player on the team (offensive lineman Orlando Pace).
Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a record three Super Bowl titles in four appearances during the decade. He was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII after guiding the Patriots to last-second victories. Brady was named to the Pro Bowl on four occasions and was the 2007 NFL Player of the Year. He completed 2,672-of-4,218 passes for 30,844 yards and 225 touchdowns with 99 interceptions in 129 regula-season games during the decade.
The 17th pick of the 2001 NFL Draft, Steve Hutchinson played five seasons (2001-05) with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Minnesota Vikings (2006-09). He helped the Seahawks organization reach Super Bowl XL in Detroit. Hutchinson is regarded as the top offensive guard in football, earning the 2009 NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year honor from the NFL Alumni. He has played in seven straight Pro Bowls, the last five as a starter, and paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in all nine of his professional seasons. Hutchinson has started all 132 regular-season games in his nine-year career.
The wily veteran in the bunch, Ty Law was the shutdown cornerback for the Patriots success. Law played for the New England Patriots (1995-2004), New York Jets (2005 and 2008), Kansas City Chiefs (2006-07) and Denver Broncos (2009). Law played in four Super Bowls during his Patriots career, three in this decade, and was instrumental in team's first championship win with a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown. He played in four Pro Bowls during the 2000s. Law returned four of his 33 interceptions for touchdowns in the decade and added 60 pass breakups.
The 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Charles Woodson finished the decade with the Green Bay Packers (2006-09) after spending his first eight seasons of his career with the Oakland Raiders (1998-2005). Woodson helped the Raiders reach Super Bowl XXXVII. He was the fourth overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft and has made five of his seven Pro Bowl appearances during this decade. Woodson collected 39 of his 45 career interceptions in the 2000s, with an additional 84 pass breakups and 17 forced fumbles.
• Entire NFL All-Decade Team
