C. J. Goodwin

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.

After graduating from high school, Goodwin attended Bethany College. He played basketball for Bethany for two seasons and transferred after his sophomore year.{{Cite news |last=Mueller |first=Christopher |title=Cal U product C. J. Goodwin takes unconventional route to Super Bowl LI |language=en |work=The Times |url=http://www.timesonline.com/4dde05ea-eb01-11e6-aed3-6fddb9c8eed5.html |access-date=December 29, 2017}} He did not play football at Bethany.

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.{{Cite web |title=Fairmont State University Athletics:Charaun Goodwin |url=http://www.fightingfalcons.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=750}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Cal Vulcans Football Roster:CJ Goodwin |url=http://www.calvulcans.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2902}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 0 3/4

| weight = 178

| dash = 4.41

| ten split = 1.52

| twenty split = 2.45

| shuttle = 4.51

| cone drill = 6.97

| vertical = 40.0

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 10

| bench = 15

| arm span = 31 1/8

| hand span = 9

| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=130623&DraftYear=2014 |title=2014 Draft Scout C. J. Goodwin, Rutgers NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=March 16, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}

}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Alex Nieves |title=PostGazette.com:Mel Blount's Call a Big Help for Steeler's Rookie CJ Goodwin |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/06/23/Mel-Blount-s-call-a-big-help-for-Steelers-rookie-C-J-Goodwin/stories/201406230060 |access-date=June 22, 2014}} On June 4, 2014, he signed an undrafted rookie free agent contract with the Steelers, for three-years and $1.53 million.{{Cite web |title=Sportrac.com:CJ Goodwin contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/c.j.-goodwin/}}{{Cite news |last=Coolong |first=Neal |date=June 4, 2014 |title=Steelers sign UDFA Goodwin, release Collins |work=Behind the Steel Curtain |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/6/4/5779068/steelers-roster-moves-transactions-contracts-otas-2014}} He was released on August 26.{{Cite news |last=Coolong |first=Neal |last2=Hartman |first2=Jeff |date=August 26, 2014 |title=Steelers cut nine players, including Dangerfield |work=Behind the Steel Curtain |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-roster-nfl-depth-chart/2014/8/26/6065073/steelers-roster-cuts-announced-released-2014}} He was added to the practice squad five days later.{{Cite news |last=Coolong |first=Neal |date=August 31, 2014 |title=Steelers keep Howard Jones, nine others |work=Behind the Steel Curtain |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2014/8/31/6090051/steelers-2014-practice-squad-signings-roster-cuts}} He signed a reserve/futures contract on January 5, 2015.{{Cite news |last=Coolong |first=Neal |date=January 5, 2015 |title=Steelers retain Howard Jones, six others |work=Behind the Steel Curtain |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/1/5/7496771/steelers-futures-contracts-practice-squad-roster-2015}}

On August 31, 2015, Goodwin was waived by the Steelers.{{Cite news |last=Bostick |first=Dani |date=August 31, 2015 |title=One surprise in first round of Steelers cuts |work=Behind the Steel Curtain |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2015/8/31/9234253/pittsburgh-steelers-roster-cuts-ian-wild-biggest-surprise-of-10}}{{Cite news |last=Bryan |first=Dave |date=September 17, 2017 |title=Steelers Tried To Get C. J. Goodwin To Convert To CB In 2015 |work=Steelers Depot |url=http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/09/steelers-tried-get-c-j-goodwin-convert-cb-2015/}}

On November 3, 2015, Goodwin was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.{{Cite news |date=November 3, 2015 |title=Falcons Sign WR Goodwin, Release WR Byrd |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-Sign-WR-Goodwin-Release-WR-Byrd/de08021f-0916-4def-a75d-d2aec01227e4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524151739/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-Sign-WR-Goodwin-Release-WR-Byrd/de08021f-0916-4def-a75d-d2aec01227e4 |archive-date=May 24, 2018}}

Goodwin signed a reserve/futures contract with the Atlanta Falcons on January 5, 2016.{{Cite news |date=January 6, 2016 |title=Five Players Signed to Reserve Future Contracts |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Five-Players-Signed-to-Reserve-Future-Contracts/f2d7db0f-e7c7-4aed-96e6-c825bb5c90c7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524151919/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Five-Players-Signed-to-Reserve-Future-Contracts/f2d7db0f-e7c7-4aed-96e6-c825bb5c90c7 |archive-date=May 24, 2018}} During the Falcons training camp in 2016, he converted from a wide receiver to a cornerback.{{Cite news |last=Conway |first=Kelsey |date=May 27, 2016 |title=6 Position Changes to Watch Throughout OTAs |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/6-Position-Changes-to-Watch-Throughout-OTAs/49dabf1b-e4a0-4357-b5be-cd7331c7c6d6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524151646/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/6-Position-Changes-to-Watch-Throughout-OTAs/49dabf1b-e4a0-4357-b5be-cd7331c7c6d6 |archive-date=May 24, 2018}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm |access-date=August 6, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

In 2017, Goodwin played in 12 games, making 5 defensive tackles and 3 special teams tackles, before being waived on December 14, 2017.{{Cite web |last=McFadden, Will |date=December 14, 2017 |title=Falcons waive CB C. J. Goodwin, sign ex-Buc CB Deji Olatoye |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/transactions/article-1/Falcons-waive-CB-CJ-Goodwin-sign-ex-Buc-CB-Deji-Olatoye/4a2e43e8-aec1-459d-bb39-36506ee26ee9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218061554/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/transactions/article-1/Falcons-waive-CB-CJ-Goodwin-sign-ex-Buc-CB-Deji-Olatoye/4a2e43e8-aec1-459d-bb39-36506ee26ee9 |archive-date=December 18, 2017 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}

On December 15, 2017, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Williams, Charean |date=December 15, 2017 |title=Cardinals claim C. J. Goodwin off waivers to take Adrian Peterson's roster spot |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/12/15/cardinals-claim-c-j-goodwin-off-waivers-to-take-adrian-petersons-roster-spot/ |website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Urban, Darren |date=May 1, 2018 |title=Cardinals Begin To Cut Down Roster |url=http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Begin-To-Cut-Down-Roster/1e2af6ab-0690-49ce-8d2c-13bbb3f8dedc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502194122/https://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Begin-To-Cut-Down-Roster/1e2af6ab-0690-49ce-8d2c-13bbb3f8dedc |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |website=AZCardinals.com}}

On May 2, 2018, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.{{Cite web |last=Eisen, Michael |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Giants awarded CB C. J. Goodwin off waivers |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-awarded-CB-CJ-Goodwin-off-waivers/8424f9e9-6f86-47fd-bf28-6687858679c1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506063714/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-awarded-CB-CJ-Goodwin-off-waivers/8424f9e9-6f86-47fd-bf28-6687858679c1 |archive-date=May 6, 2018 |website=Giants.com}} He was waived by the Giants on May 14.{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2018 |title=Report: Giants waive CB C. J. Goodwin |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2018/05/14/new-york-giants-waive-cb-cj-goodwin/ |website=USAToday.com}}

On May 15, 2018, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2018 |title=49ers Announce a Pair of Roster Moves |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-a-pair-of-roster-moves |website=49ers.com}} He was waived on July 31, 2018.{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2018 |title=49ers Sign TE Wes Saxton |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-te-wes-saxton |website=49ers.com}}

On August 4, 2018, Goodwin signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2018 |title=Bengals sign free agent CB C. J. Goodwin |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/8/4/17651298/bengals-sign-free-agent-cb-cj-goodwin |website=CincyJungle.com}} He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Bengals Establish Roster of 53 Players |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-establish-roster-of-53-players |website=Bengals.com}}{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Andrew Brown, Russell Signed to Practice Squad |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/andrew-brown-russell-signed-to-practice-squad |website=Bengals.com}}

On October 9, 2018, Goodwin was signed by the Dallas Cowboys off the Bengals practice squad.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Roster update: Cowboys signing cornerback C. J. Goodwin from Bengals practice squad |url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2018/10/9/17956150/roster-update-cowboys-signing-cornerback-c-j-goodwin-from-bengals-practice-squad |website=BloggingTheBoys.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on October 26, after undergoing surgery for a broken forearm.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Report: C. J. Goodwin placed on injured reserve following surgery |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/Article/Cowboys-place-CJ-Goodwin-on-injured-reserve-following-surgery-123825442/ |website=247Sports.com}} On December 24, he was activated off injured reserve, to play gunner on special teams and improve the coverage units.{{Cite web |last=Williams, Charean |date=December 24, 2018 |title=Cowboys will activate C. J. Goodwin from IR, cut Lance Lenoir |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/12/24/cowboys-will-activate-c-j-goodwin-from-ir-cut-lance-lenoir/ |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Phillips, Rob |date=March 20, 2020 |title=Goodwin's Return Means More Than CB Depth |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/goodwin-s-return-means-more-than-cb-depth |website=DallasCowboys.com}} He was released during final roster cuts in a planned roster maneuver on September 5, 2020.{{Cite news |last=Helman, David |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Two LBs Among Notable Cowboys Roster Cuts |work=DallasCowboys.com |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/two-lbs-among-notable-cowboys-roster-cuts |access-date=September 12, 2020}} He was re-signed two days later after the roster moves were completed.{{Cite news |last=Eatman, Nick |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Collins, Lee, Bryant to IR; Cowboys Re-Sign 3 Vets |work=DallasCowboys.com |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/collins-lee-bryant-to-ir-cowboys-re-sign-3-vets |access-date=September 12, 2020}} 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.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Cowboys' rally stuns Falcons 40-39 in McCarthy's home debut |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401220249 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Phillips, Rob |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Cowboys Sign Goodwin, Turner; 4 Players Waived |work=DallasCowboys.com |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-sign-goodwin-turner-4-players-waived |access-date=March 21, 2021}} 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.{{cite web|title=Cowboys Make 28 Moves To Reach Roster Limit|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-make-28-moves-to-reach-roster-limit|author=Eatman, Nick|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 30, 2022}} 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.{{cite web|title=Cowboys, Goodwin Agree to Terms on 1-Year Deal|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-goodwin-agree-to-terms-on-1-year-deal|author=Walker, Patrik|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=March 16, 2023}} He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Cowboys announce 36 roster moves ahead of regular season|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-announce-36-roster-moves-ahead-of-regular-season|author=Harris, Nick|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Cowboys move two to IR, reveal 2023 practice squad|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-move-two-to-ir-reveal-2023-practice-squad|author=Walker, Patrik|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 23. He was placed on injured reserve on October 16, with a pectoral injury.{{cite web|title=Cowboys announce six roster moves ahead of MNF|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-announce-six-roster-moves-ahead-of-mnf|author=Harris, Nick|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=October 16, 2023}}

On March 14, 2024, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys.{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Patrik | title=Goodwin returns to Cowboys; signs 1-year deal | website=Dallas Cowboys | date=2024-03-15 | url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/goodwin-agrees-to-remain-with-cowboys-in-2024 | access-date=2025-01-19}}

On March 4, 2025, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract.{{Cite web|last=Walker|first=Patrick|title=CJ Goodwin, Cowboys agree to terms on one-year deal for special teams ace|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cj-goodwin-cowboys-agree-to-terms-on-one-year-deal-for-special-teams-ace|work=Dallas Cowboys|date=March 4, 2025|access-date=March 18, 2025}}

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.pegafoundation.org

Goodwin has a daughter.

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/c-j-goodwin/ Dallas Cowboys bio]
• [https://calvulcans.com/sports/football/roster/cj-goodwin/2902 California Vulcans bio]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodwin, C. J.}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:American football cornerbacks

Category:Fairmont State Fighting Falcons football players

Category:California Vulcans football players

Category:Players of American football from Wheeling, West Virginia

Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players

Category:Atlanta Falcons players

Category:Arizona Cardinals players

Category:New York Giants players

Category:San Francisco 49ers players

Category:Cincinnati Bengals players

Category:Dallas Cowboys players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:Basketball players from West Virginia

Category:Bethany Bison men's basketball players

Category:Fairmont State Fighting Falcons men's basketball players

Category:American men's basketball players