49ers-Giants game ball goes to Marquise Goodwin, who played amid tragedy

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin may have had just one reception during Sunday's game, but it was an 83-yard touchdown that gave his team a 10-6 lead over the visiting New York Giants in the second quarter and set the tone for the game.

Goodwin's touchdown was the first of four by the 49ers en route to a 31-21 victory, which was San Francisco's first of the season.

On his way to the end zone, Goodwin avoided the tackle attempt of New York cornerback Janoris Jenkins and then blew a kiss into the sky before crossing the goal line. After the score, an emotional Goodwin dropped to his knees and wept as his teammates ran over to congratulate him.

Following the play, Goodwin remained quite emotional on the sideline. He was seen sitting on a bench while weeping. The typical fan must have thought, "Wow, Goodwin is very emotional about his first touchdown of the season."

In reality, that had very little to do with it.


In the locker room following the game, 49ers players were exuberant and celebrated the hard-fought victory. You would have thought the team had earned a trip to the Super Bowl and not won just their first game of the season. One player was not among them. That player was Goodwin. The receiver had already left, according to a report by NBC Sports Bay Area. He didn't just leave the locker room, he left the stadium to go home to be with his family.

Few knew the reason behind his actions until nearly two hours after the game had concluded. Goodwin shared via Instagram that earlier that morning, around 4 a.m., tragedy struck he and his family.

"Unfortunately we lost our baby boy due to some complications," Goodwin explained in the heartbreaking post, "and had to prematurely deliver him early this morning around 4am. Although we are hurt, I am grateful for the experience and grateful that God blessed me with a wife as courageous and resilient as Morgan. The pain (physically, mentally, & emotionally) that she has endured is unbelievable. Please Pray for the Goodwin family."

Hours after enduring a loss that will impact he and his wife's lives forever, Goodwin suited up with his teammates to play the Giants at Levi's Stadium.

The courage and strength that Goodwin showed on Sunday, which is much more than most people would be able to exhibit under similar circumstances, earn the receiver my game ball. My heart breaks for what he, his wife, and his family must be going through tonight and what they will go through tomorrow and beyond.

No parent deserves to lose a child. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Goodwin family.