Even in the midst of a disappointing 1-5 season, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin continues to focus on the positives. The 49ers were initially scheduled to play a primetime game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, but after the team's appeal seemingly vanished when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was lost for the season, the NFL downgraded the matchup to an afternoon game.
Goodwin joined KNBR for a Wednesday-morning interview and was asked if being pushed out of a primetime game serves as motivation for the 49ers.
"I don't really worry about it because guys like that, they're just turtles," Goodwin said on the "Murph & Mac" show. "We're sharks. We're out there playing. We're sniffing out blood wherever we can get it. Not to talk down on NBC but they've never been out there. They don't know what it's like to play on Sundays and it really don't matter what they say.
"Really, I don't even know until someone tells me because I don't pay attention to it. I just focus on positive moments in my life, positive moments for this team, and try to move forward and see how we can build toward winning."
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Goodwin was also asked to share a little bit about the quarterback who is starting in place of Garoppolo — C.J. Beathard. The receiver had a mouthful to say as he praised his second-year signal-caller.
"I'm going to tell you a little bit about C.J.," Goodwin began. "One of the most humble guys I've been around. The love that he shows toward his beautiful daughter, it's unbelievable. But his character, the dude is tough as nails. I think he's the toughest dude on the team.
"You can say he takes hits, and it's hard to take hits in the league, especially big guys that's coming off the edge and big linebackers coming through the middle whether it be pressures or whether it be whatever it is. He takes it right on the chin, but he gets back up.
"I got hit by Clay Matthews at the line of scrimmage. He rung my bell a little bit so I can only imagine a full head of steam behind him coming full speed and hitting you. Just to have that type of courage to go out there every play, regardless of the situation, and still having to know what everybody has on the field.
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"He's got to know the protection. He has to know the checks. He has to know every route, every detail, all at the same time. He has to deliver and perform under pressure. So you get a young guy like C.J., second year in the league, coming in, came in this year as a backup and now is starting and leading this team to where we're trying to go, it takes a lot of courage to do that.
"I'm so proud of him because I talk to him a lot off the field. I'm just proud of where he's headed. His presence on the field is a lot different this year than it was last year. His presence in the locker room, in that huddle. Guys are listening to him. Guys are looking at him in his mouth and in his eyes and are really on when he's talking because it's important to him and this team."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Goodwin below.
