C.J. Goodwin

Charaun Jareé “C. J.” Goodwin, born February 4, 1990, is a celebrated American professional cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Yvette Goodwin-Rowe and Galloway. Goodwin grew up playing various sports, showing potential as a versatile natural athlete. In high school, he first discovered his love for football, but he also showed an exceptional talent for track and basketball. He attended The Linsly School in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he began his journey into the world of professional football in his senior year.

Goodwin initially played basketball for the Bethany Bison during his time at Bethany College. He made a significant contribution to the team in two seasons, where he earned a reputation as an agile and skilled player. Longing more exposure and opportunities, he transferred from Bethany after his sophomore year. At his father’s advice, Goodwin eventually joined the Fighting Falcons football team at Fairmont State University. His outstanding natural ability in sports was on full display when he took up a new challenge and decided to take part in American football.

In his first game against Clarion, Goodwin showcased his skills as a wide receiver, making six catches for 56 yards. His performance attracted more attention during a match against West Liberty University, where he made an 83-yard touchdown catch, amassing three catches for 104 yards. Goodwin was a quick learner as a footballer, managing to finish his season with Fairmont with 24 successful receptions and 440 receiving yards. Not only did he come third on his team in terms of receptions, but Goodwin also outperformed his peers landing an impressive 4 touchdown receptions.

After the exit of Fairmont’s head coach, Goodwin followed suit and transferred to California University of Pennsylvania. There he continued to play for his former head coach, Mike Lopez, and immediately resumed his role as a wide receiver due to him having graduated from Fairmont, thus bypassing the NCAA student transfer guidelines.

Goodwin faced a challenging transition into the NFL as he was a virtually unknown prospect at the 2014 NFL draft. This was due to playing at two NCAA Division II schools and the perception of being a raw player. But he had a good size and the necessary skill set to play as a wide receiver. Despite not being invited to the official NFL Combine, Goodwin still managed to impress at a pre-draft combine held by the Detroit Lions.

His professional career in the NFL kicked off when he received a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers, urged by Mel Blount, the ex-Steeler Hall of Famer. The connection between Goodwin and Blount goes way back when Goodwin worked as a farmhand for Blount for seven years, and they’ve been family friends ever since. After signing a contract with the Steelers, Goodwin’s journey was far from smooth. He was added to the practice squad, waived out, signed again but the hardships didn’t deter him from his path.

The turning point of his NFL career arrived when he was signed by the Falcons in 2015 for a position in the practice squad. He was later offered a reserve/futures contract with the Falcons following which Goodwin converted from a wide receiver to a cornerback at the Atlanta Falcons’ training camp in 2016. That season, he made impressive strides recording 7 defensive tackles, 2 passes defensed and 10 special teams tackles. Goodwin was a part of the Falcons team that made it to the Super Bowl LI where they lost to New England Patriots in a heartbreaking fashion.

Goodwin moved across multiple teams in NFL over the years like Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals. Finally, he found a home in the Dallas Cowboys starting from October 2018. Goodwin’s performance in the 2019 season earned him a vital position in the special teams units. He continued to impress in the following seasons as well, leading the team in special teams tackles for three consecutive years. This achievement made Goodwin the first player in franchise history for this feat.

Off the field, Goodwin devotes most of his time to the Perry Galloway Jr. Foundation (PeGa Foundation), a mentoring organization he founded to honor his late father. Based in Wheeling, West Virginia, Goodwin spends his free time mentoring youth, frequently speaking to schools and youth groups across the country about his journey and the importance of resilience and dedication.

CJ Goodwin’s journey from a farmhand to a professional football player has been marked by his dedication to the game and the relentless pursuit to improve. Through numerous obstacles and challenges, Goodwin has proven his worth in the NFL and continues to inspire and mentor aspiring athletes. As of now, Goodwin is a proud father, continuing his career in the NFL while inspiring young athletes in his hometown through his foundation.