Eagles wide receiver Marquise Goodwin opts out of NFL season over COVID-19 concerns
The Eagles WR said his family, including his 6-month old daughter, are the reason why he will not play this year
This week, Eagles wide receiver Marquise Goodwin announced on social media that he has opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns about bringing the coronavirus home to his wife and infant daughter.
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As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, on Tuesday, Goodwin, 29, said playing the current NFL season was just too risky. The Texas native who has been in the NFL for 8 seasons, spent the last one with the San Francisco 49ers missing the last 7 games with knee and foot injuries.
He signed a 1-year contract with the Eagles earlier this year but explained that after he and his wife, former track athlete Morgan Snow, suffered 3 miscarriages and now have a healthy baby girl, they couldn’t justify doing anything that might pose a risk to their health.
“Three years ago I made a decision that affected my whole life,” Goodwin said. “I chose to leave my wife at the hospital, after prematurely birthing our first baby which resulted in a fatality, to play in a football game,” he explained in a post that has since gone viral.
“I felt like I had to prove to my coaches and new team that I was dedicated to winning and I wouldn’t let anything keep me from that goal, not even my family.”
“The following year in the same month, same week, our lives took another traumatic turn,” he continued, opening up about the grief that comes from repeatedly losing unborn children. “Unfortunately, we ended up losing our twin boys, making it now 3 angel babies that I had to hold and watch as their little heart beats grew more and more faint by the minute, until it stopped. My dream of being a father once again took a huge blow and it hurt deeply.”
“Onward to February 2020, our lives changed for the better, as we finally were blessed to bring home our first living child (rainbow baby). SHE is the reason I am opting out for this season. After choosing football many times, I feel I am inclined to make the right decision by finally choosing my family first,” he concluded.
“It is known the NFL is implementing safety protocols to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as other professional sporting leagues. I won’t take the chance of experiencing another loss because of my selfish decision making. “
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He signed off the lengthy and heartfelt message by promising, “To my new fans in Philly, I promise y’all that it will be worth the wait seeing me in Eagles green. Fly, Eagles, Fly!”
The Goodwins welcomed a daughter, Marae, on February 19th. The couple has their own YouTube channel, Goodwin SZN, where they share both serious and funny exploits as a millennial couple.
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