Woodley was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1980 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University (LSU), where he had a notable college football career. Coming into the NFL, he quickly made an impact with the Dolphins, earning the starting quarterback position in his rookie year. Woodley's athleticism and versatility were significant assets, allowing him to contribute to the Dolphins' offense in various ways.
One of the highlights of Woodley's career was leading the Miami Dolphins to Super Bowl XVII during the 1982 season. Despite a strong performance throughout the season and playoffs, the Dolphins were defeated by the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl. Woodley's performance in the game was mixed; he managed to throw for a touchdown but also struggled with the Redskins' defense, which limited his effectiveness in the latter stages of the game.
Throughout his tenure with the Dolphins, Woodley shared playing time with Don Strock, a situation that led to the Dolphins employing a two-quarterback system at times. This arrangement capitalized on both quarterbacks' strengths, with Woodley's mobility and Strock's passing accuracy providing the Dolphins with a versatile offensive scheme.
In 1984, Woodley was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played for two seasons before his NFL career concluded. His time with the Steelers was marked by competition for the starting quarterback position and injuries that limited his playing time and effectiveness.
Over the course of his NFL career, Woodley's statistics included a completion rate of just over 50%, with more than 8,000 passing yards, 48 touchdown passes, and 63 interceptions. He also accumulated several hundred rushing yards, underscoring his ability to extend plays and contribute to his team's rushing attack.
Despite the promise shown early in his career, Woodley's professional football career was relatively short-lived, and he retired from the NFL after the 1985 season. His post-football life was private, and he remained out of the public spotlight until his passing in 2003 at the age of 44.
David Woodley's legacy in the NFL is that of a talented quarterback whose career, though brief, included a Super Bowl appearance and a memorable stint with one of the league's storied franchises. His contributions to the Miami Dolphins during the early 1980s are fondly remembered by fans of the team.
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