Marquise Goodwin

Marquise Derell Goodwin was born on November 19, 1990, in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Rowlett High School in Rowlett, Texas, where he excelled in both high school football and track and field. Goodwin demonstrated world-class speed from an early age, becoming a state champion in the triple jump and long jump, and setting a national high school record in the long jump. His athletic prowess continued at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-sport athlete, competing for both the Texas Longhorns football team and the Texas Longhorns track and field team from 2009 to 2012.

Goodwin’s collegiate track and field career was marked by significant achievements, including two NCAA championships in the long jump in 2010 and 2012. He was a four-time All-American and won five Big 12 Conference championships. In 2011, he secured the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field long jump title and later qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he finished 10th in the long jump final. In football, he appeared in 49 games for the Longhorns, starting 21 of them, and recorded 116 receptions for 1,296 yards and six touchdowns. He also showcased his versatility with rushing yards and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Following his college career, Goodwin was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played for the Bills until 2016, then joined the San Francisco 49ers for three seasons, where he set career highs in receptions and receiving yards in 2017. His NFL journey also included stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, and Seattle Seahawks, culminating in a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2023. Throughout his professional career, Goodwin faced various personal challenges, including the loss of prematurely born children, which he addressed publicly, emphasizing resilience and family.