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United States Ickey Woods is a former professional American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, recognized for his impactful performance during his rookie season and his iconic 'Ickey Shuffle' end zone dance.
Connect Biopharma, in partnership with Ickey Woods and the Jovante Woods Foundation, expanded its asthma education program nationwide. This collaboration aimed to raise awareness about asthma management and highlight the need for new treatment options. The partnership reached beyond Cincinnati to other communities during the 2025 NFL season, utilizing Woods' platform to boost asthma education and awareness.
Ickey Woods appeared in a commercial for Cincinnati Bell, performing his signature 'Ickey Shuffle' alongside the company's president.
Woods was featured in a national Oldsmobile commercial, performing the 'Ickey Shuffle' with his mother.
In 2014, Ickey Woods was featured in a national GEICO Insurance commercial, reprising his 'Ickey Shuffle' while purchasing cold cuts at a deli counter. He later referenced this line during the 2015 NFL Draft announcement.
Ickey Woods is listed as a brand ambassador for LootMogul, indicating a partnership related to his status as a former NFL player and public figure.
Elbert L. “Ickey” Woods, born on February 28, 1966, in Fresno, California, achieved recognition as an Football player. He received his nickname “Ickey” from his younger brother’s pronunciation of his first name. Woods attended Edison High School in Fresno, where he participated in sports. He received a college football scholarship to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he was a four-year letterwinner for the UNLV Rebels. As a freshman in 1984, he contributed to the Rebels’ 11-2 record and their victory in the California Bowl. In his senior year of 1987, Woods led the nation in rushing with 1,658 yards and was named first-team All Big West, a performance that remains significant in UNLV’s history.
Woods was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (31st overall) of the 1988 NFL draft. His rookie season was highly successful, setting franchise rookie records with 1,066 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He also contributed 228 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs, helping the Bengals reach Super Bowl XXIII. Despite a strong initial career, a series of injuries, including a torn ACL in 1989 and a knee injury in 1991, significantly shortened his NFL playing career to four years. He retired from football by the age of 26. His career statistics include 332 carries for 1,525 yards and 27 touchdowns.
After his NFL career, Woods became involved in various ventures, including sales for a meat company and owning a flooring store. He also dedicates his time to philanthropic efforts, notably running the Ickey Woods Youth Foundation and the Jovante Woods Foundation, which he established following the passing of his son, Jovante, from an asthma attack at age 16. The Jovante Woods Foundation focuses on asthma research funding and education, as well as organ donor education. Woods has also made appearances in commercials, famously reprising his “Ickey Shuffle” for brands like GEICO.
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