"Imagine having something that you want more than anything in the world, and you get it, and it's just stripped away from you," San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin said during a CBS interview with Dana Jacobson that aired on Friday morning.
Goodwin, and his wife, Morgan, don't have to imagine. They know exactly what that feels like. On Sunday, just hours prior to kickoff against the New York Giants, the couple suffered a tragic loss. Due to complications, Morgan had to deliver their baby boy prematurely. The child was stillborn.
"I would give my life up if I could have a boy," Marquise said. "That's the one thing I wanted more than anything in the world, and now I don't have that opportunity right now."
Encouraged by his wife to do so, Marquise went on to not only play in Sunday's game, which ended up becoming the 49ers' first victory of the season, but he scored an 83-yard tone-setting touchdown. On his way into the end zone, the receiver looked up toward the heavens and blew a kiss before emotionally falling to his knees after the score.
"As I'm running, I just blow a kiss to God and to my baby and I dropped down on my knees and I give God his glory," Marquise said, "because I'm thankful, I still am thankful for the opportunity just to be alive, for my life ... even after all I've been through."
Marquise wanted to remain with his wife, but she insisted he plays. She wanted their baby boy to see his daddy from heaven.
"It was actually Morgan's idea that I go play in the game. For me, my intentions were to be with her the whole time," Marquise said.
Morgan, who discussed the loss publicly for the first time since that devastating Sunday morning, shared why she insisted Marquise join his teammates.
"We had our baby boy," Morgan said while holding back tears. "We spent time with him. I'm explaining to him -- I want you to play in this game because I want your son to see you play."
Only a small handful of players and coaches knew Goodwin was suffering that day. C.J. Beathard, the rookie quarterback that threw the football to Marquise on the score, had no idea until after the game.
What was Morgan's reaction when she saw her husband score a touchdown against the Giants?
"I was in the hospital, on the bed watching and I bust out crying, and I immediately said, 'That was for you baby,'" Morgan said.
Marquise has repeatedly said he is grateful for the outpouring of support he and his wife have received.
"A lot of people that I've never been in contact with have sent messages have sent gifts and flowers and also told us that you know we're inspiring them because they're going through something," Marquise said. "Without all of the love that everybody showed I don't know if we would be as good as we are right now."
The couple, who will celebrate their second wedding anniversary in February, met at the University of Texas where they were both track stars. They credit their love and faith in God in helping them get through this challenging situation.
"With faith, you can do anything and with love you can do even more," Marquise said.
