Richard Wood (2003) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Richard Wood

Induction:
2003
Class:
1974

Richard Wood, nicknamed “Batman,” was USC football’s first 3-year All-American first teamer and was the first 3-year All-American selectee by AP from the West Coast. He was honored in 1972-73-74 (he was a consensus pick in 1973 and 1974). The 3-year letterman linebacker was a member of USC’s 1972 and 1974 national championship teams and played in 3 Rose Bowls (1973-74-75). Also a 3-time All-Conference first teamer (1972-73-74), he captained the 1974 Trojans and won USC’s Player of the Game versus UCLA Award in 1972. He came to USC from Jefferson High in Elizabeth, N.J. He was selected to play in the 1975 Hula Bowl, Senior Bowl and College All-Star Game. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team. He was picked in the third round of the 1975 NFL draft by the Jets and played for Jets (1975) and Buccaneers (1976-84). After his playing career, he became an assistant coach in the NFL and in Europe, a high school head coach, and a law enforcement officer.