C. J. Goodwin

Charaun Jareé "C. J." Goodwin (born February 4, 1990) is an American football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Bethany College, Fairmont State, and California (PA).

C. J. Goodwin

No. 29 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(1990-02-04) February 4, 1990 (age 34) Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:	Linsly School (Wheeling, West Virginia)
College:	Bethany College Fairmont State California (PA)
Undrafted:	2014
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2014)* Atlanta Falcons (2016–2017) Arizona Cardinals (2017) New York Giants (2018)* San Francisco 49ers (2018)* Cincinnati Bengals (2018)* Dallas Cowboys (2018–present)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles: 67 Forced fumbles: 1 Pass deflections: 2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and family

Goodwin was born on February 4, 1990, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Yvette Goodwin-Rowe and Galloway. He attended The Linsly School in Wheeling, West Virginia, and did not play football until his senior year. He was a starter at wide receiver. In addition to football, he also competed in track and basketball.

College career

Bethany College

After graduating from high school, Goodwin attended Bethany College. He would play basketball for Bethany for two seasons and transferred after his sophomore year.^[1]

Fairmont State University

Following his departure from Bethany, Goodwin would enroll in Fairmont State University for his junior year. After his arrival, he played in an intramural basketball game against the school's football staff. At the urging of his father, the late Perry Galloway Jr., and his college roommate, future NFL player Dewey McDonald he eventually joined the Fighting Falcons football team.

In his first game against Clarion he would make 6 catches for 56 yards. On September 22, Goodwin would amass 3 catches, 104 yards, and make an 83-yard touchdown catch in a game against West Liberty University (during a game against his first cousin Daree' Goodwin). While matching up against West Virginia Wesleyan, he would reel in three receptions, 55 receiving yards, and a career-high two touchdowns. In the next game against Seton Hill, Goodwin would score on a 31-yard reception. On November 10, he made a career-high seven catches for 141 receiving yards in a win against Shepherd.

After walking on his first year and having a successful season he was offered a scholarship to continue playing for Fairmont. Head coach Mike Lopez would be fired after Goodwin's first year playing for Fairmont and accepted a defensive coordinator position with California University of Pennsylvania. Goodwin finished the 2012 season third on the team with 24 receptions and 440 receiving yards. He also led the team with 18.3 yards per a catch and finished the season with 4 touchdown receptions.^[2]

California University of Pennsylvania

After the departure of Fairmont's head coach, Goodwin would transfer to California University of Pennsylvania to continue playing wide receiver for his former head coach Mike Lopez. Since he already graduated from Fairmont, he was able to begin playing immediately, instead of sitting out a year due to NCAA student transfer guidelines.

Goodwin would make his first touchdown reception of the 2013 season against Kutztown. In a game against IUP, he made two receptions for 16 yards. While playing Gannon, he made three receptions for 40 receiving yards. Against Millersville, he ended with a season-high four catches and 49 yards. Since he mainly saw action on special teams, he only finished his senior season at Cal-Pennsylvania with a total of 11 receptions, 126 receiving yards, and one touchdown in 11 games and one start.^[3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 0+3⁄4 in (1.85 m)	178 lb (81 kg)	31+1⁄8 in (0.79 m)	9 in (0.23 m)	4.41 s	1.52 s	2.45 s	4.51 s	6.97 s	40.0 in (1.02 m)	10 ft 10 in (3.30 m)	15 reps
All values from Pro Day^[4]

Pittsburgh Steelers

After finishing his collegiate career, Goodwin would enter the 2014 NFL Draft. He was a virtually unknown prospect due to him playing at two NCAA Division II schools and he was thought to be a raw player, but also had good size and measurables to play wide receiver. Although he wasn't invited to the official NFL Combine held annually in Indianapolis, he still had good showing at a pre-draft combine held by the Detroit Lions.

After going undrafted and not receiving any interest as an undrafted free agent immediately after the draft, Goodwin finally received a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers after Mel Blount urged them to give him an opportunity. He had attended the same high school as Blount's son and worked for Blount as a farmhand for seven years.^[5] On June 4, 2014, he signed an undrafted rookie free agent contract with the Steelers, for three-years and $1.53 million.^[6][7] He was released on August 26.^[8] He was added to the practice squad five days later.^[9] He signed a reserve/futures contract on January 5, 2015.^[10]

On August 31, 2015, Goodwin was waived by the Steelers.^[11][12]

Atlanta Falcons

On November 3, 2015, Goodwin was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.^[13]

Goodwin signed a reserve/futures contract with the Atlanta Falcons on January 5, 2016.^[14] During the Falcons training camp in 2016, he converted from a wide receiver to a cornerback.^[15] In 2016, he played in 14 games with one start, recording 7 defensive tackles, 2 passes defensed and 10 special teams tackles. Goodwin and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017. Against the New England Patriots, the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat. He recorded 2 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle in the game.^[16]

In 2017, Goodwin played in 12 games, making 5 defensive tackles and 3 special teams tackles, before being waived on December 14, 2017.^[17]

Arizona Cardinals

On December 15, 2017, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.^[18] He played in the final two games of the season and had one special teams tackle.

On May 1, 2018, Goodwin was released by the Cardinals.^[19]

New York Giants

On May 2, 2018, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.^[20] He was waived by the Giants on May 14.^[21]

San Francisco 49ers

On May 15, 2018, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers.^[22] He was waived on July 31, 2018.^[23]

Cincinnati Bengals

On August 4, 2018, Goodwin signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.^[24] He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.^[25][26]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 9, 2018, Goodwin was signed by the Dallas Cowboys off the Bengals practice squad.^[27] He was placed on injured reserve on October 26, after undergoing surgery for a broken forearm.^[28] On December 24, he was activated off injured reserve, to play gunner on special teams and improve the coverage units.^[29] He played in two games, before being sidelined for 8 contests with a broken arm, returning for the season finale and the playoffs. He finished the season with one special teams tackle.

In 2019, Goodwin appeared in all 16 games for the first time in his career and became an important player on the special teams units. He registered 2 defensive tackles and 10 special teams tackles (led the team). He had 3 special teams tackles against the Chicago Bears.

On March 30, 2020, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys.^[30] He was released during final roster cuts in a planned roster maneuver on September 5, 2020.^[31] He was re-signed two days later after the roster moves were completed.^[32] In Week 2 against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, Goodwin recovered an onside kick with less than two minutes left in the game to set up the game winning field goal of the improbable 40–39 comeback win.^[33] The play came to be known as the 'watermelon' kick. In Week 16, he had a key role in the 37–17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was used as a spy defender, to help neutralize the running of rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts.

On March 19, 2021, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys on a two-year contract.^[34] He appeared in all 17 games, making 10 special teams tackles and becoming the first player in franchise history, to lead the team in that category for three consecutive seasons (since special teams tackles began to be tracked in 1988).

Goodwin was waived during final roster cuts in a planned roster maneuver on August 30, 2022. He was re–signed to the team's practice squad the following day.^[35] He appeared in all 17 games and finished second in special teams tackles behind Luke Gifford.

On March 16, 2023, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract.^[36] He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[37][38] He was promoted to the active roster on September 23. He was placed on injured reserve on October 16, with a pectoral injury.^[39]

On March 14, 2024, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys.^[40]

Philanthropy/Causes

Goodwin founded the PeGa Foundation (Perry Galloway Jr. Foundation) to honor his late father/mentor after his passing. The PeGa Foundation is a nonprofit mentoring organization based out of his hometown in Wheeling, West Virginia. Off the field, he spends most of his free time mentoring youth of PeGa and volunteering his time by speaking to schools and youth groups across the country.^[41]

Personal life

Goodwin has three children, a son and two daughters.

References

1. Mueller, Christopher. "Cal U product C.J. Goodwin takes unconventional route to Super Bowl LI". The Times. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
2. "Fairmont State University Athletics:Charaun Goodwin".
3. "Cal Vulcans Football Roster:CJ Goodwin".
4. "2014 Draft Scout C.J. Goodwin, Rutgers NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
5. Alex Nieves. "PostGazette.com:Mel Blount's Call a Big Help for Steeler's Rookie CJ Goodwin". Retrieved June 22, 2014.
6. "Sportrac.com:CJ Goodwin contract".
7. Coolong, Neal (June 4, 2014). "Steelers sign UDFA Goodwin, release Collins". Behind the Steel Curtain.
8. Coolong, Neal; Hartman, Jeff (August 26, 2014). "Steelers cut nine players, including Dangerfield". Behind the Steel Curtain.
9. Coolong, Neal (August 31, 2014). "Steelers keep Howard Jones, nine others". Behind the Steel Curtain.
10. Coolong, Neal (January 5, 2015). "Steelers retain Howard Jones, six others". Behind the Steel Curtain.
11. Bostick, Dani (August 31, 2015). "One surprise in first round of Steelers cuts". Behind the Steel Curtain.
12. Bryan, Dave (September 17, 2017). "Steelers Tried To Get C.J. Goodwin To Convert To CB In 2015". Steelers Depot.
13. . AtlantaFalcons.com. November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
14. . AtlantaFalcons.com. January 6, 2016. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
15. Conway, Kelsey (May 27, 2016). . AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
16. "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
17. McFadden, Will (December 14, 2017). . AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2017.
18. Williams, Charean (December 15, 2017). "Cardinals claim C.J. Goodwin off waivers to take Adrian Peterson's roster spot". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
19. Urban, Darren (May 1, 2018). . AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018.
20. Eisen, Michael (May 2, 2018). . Giants.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018.
21. "Report: Giants waive CB C.J. Goodwin". USAToday.com. May 14, 2018.
22. "49ers Announce a Pair of Roster Moves". 49ers.com. May 15, 2018.
23. "49ers Sign TE Wes Saxton". 49ers.com. July 31, 2018.
24. "Bengals sign free agent CB C.J. Goodwin". CincyJungle.com. August 4, 2018.
25. "Bengals Establish Roster of 53 Players". Bengals.com. September 1, 2018.
26. "Andrew Brown, Russell Signed to Practice Squad". Bengals.com. September 2, 2018.
27. "Roster update: Cowboys signing cornerback C.J. Goodwin from Bengals practice squad". BloggingTheBoys.com. October 9, 2018.
28. "Report: C.J. Goodwin placed on injured reserve following surgery". 247Sports.com. October 26, 2018.
29. Williams, Charean (December 24, 2018). "Cowboys will activate C.J. Goodwin from IR, cut Lance Lenoir". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
30. Phillips, Rob (March 20, 2020). "Goodwin's Return Means More Than CB Depth". DallasCowboys.com.
31. Helman, David (September 5, 2020). "Two LBs Among Notable Cowboys Roster Cuts". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
32. Eatman, Nick (September 7, 2020). "Collins, Lee, Bryant to IR; Cowboys Re-Sign 3 Vets". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
33. "Cowboys' rally stuns Falcons 40-39 in McCarthy's home debut". ESPN. Associated Press. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
34. Phillips, Rob (March 19, 2021). "Cowboys Sign Goodwin, Turner; 4 Players Waived". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
35. Eatman, Nick (August 30, 2022). "Cowboys Make 28 Moves To Reach Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com.
36. Walker, Patrik (March 16, 2023). "Cowboys, Goodwin Agree to Terms on 1-Year Deal". DallasCowboys.com.
37. Harris, Nick (August 29, 2023). "Cowboys announce 36 roster moves ahead of regular season". DallasCowboys.com.
38. Walker, Patrik (August 30, 2023). "Cowboys move two to IR, reveal 2023 practice squad". DallasCowboys.com.
39. Harris, Nick (October 16, 2023). "Cowboys announce six roster moves ahead of MNF". DallasCowboys.com.
40. "Goodwin agrees to remain with Cowboys in 2024". DallasCowboys.com. March 14, 2024.
41. pegafoundation.org