Career
The 5 ft 11 in (180 m) quarterback was drafted out of Cornell University in the 1964 NFL Draft by the New York Giants in the eighth round. Wood in his time in the NFL had a career completion percentage of 46.5% and a passer rating of 54.5. Wood was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on March 24, 1996.
After graduating from Cortland High School in Cortland, New York, Wood had an outstanding career as the three-year starting quarterback at Cornell beginning in 1961, his sophomore season.
Wood was the leading rusher and passer for the Big Red every year in which he was the starter. In 1962, Wood led the nation in all purpose yards with 1,395 (1550 yards per game).
Wood was elected team captain in 1963 and during his senior year was elected to the National Honor Society. In 1964, Wood was selected in the eighth round (109th overall) of the NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
In his rookie season for the Giants he backed up starter Y. A. Tittle.
In 1967, Wood was picked up in the expansion draft for the New Orleans Saints. Wood played in only two games for the Saints in the 1967 season, demoted to third string behind Billy Kilmer and Gary Cuozzo. Following the season, he was traded back to New York for a draft pick.
Wood spent the remainder of his NFL career in New York backing up Fran Tarkenton.
He ended his NFL career in 1969 having played in 63 games. After retiring from the NFL, Wood played in the Canadian Football League from 1970—1971 for the Ottawa Rough Riders.
Following his stint in the Canadian Football League, Wood opened an insurance firm in New York City and helped build Christ City Church in Melville, New New York He was inducted into the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989, and the New York Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Wood died in March 1994 of a heart attack, at his home on Long Island.
He was 52.
