Dashon Goldson

Dashon Goldson was born on September 18, 1984, in Carson, California. He began his football career playing Pop Warner with the Tri-City Falcons in Harbor City, California. He attended Narbonne High School, where he excelled, recording 130 tackles and six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Goldson then had a brief period at Coffeyville Community College before enrolling at the University of Washington. During his college career with the Washington Huskies from 2003 to 2006, he played in 43 games, accumulating 293 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one sack. He earned a degree in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington in June 2006.

Goldson was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. After two seasons as a backup, he became a starting free safety in 2009. That season, he led the 49ers in interceptions with four and forced three fumbles, finishing with 94 tackles and two sacks. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2011 and earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2012, along with being named first-team All-Pro. In 2012, he helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl XLVII.

Following his tenure with the 49ers, Goldson signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013, where he played for two seasons. In 2015, he was traded to the Washington Redskins, where he was voted defensive captain for the season. He then joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. After retiring from playing, Goldson began his coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, and later for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, working under his former head coach Jim Harbaugh.