San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin was named the 2018 George Halas Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America on Wednesday. The award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.


Goodwin, the 50th George Halas Award winner, is the fifth member of the 49ers franchise to receive the honor. He joins Jimmy Johnson (1972), Joe Montana (1988, 1994), Bryant Young (2000), and Garrison Hearst (2002).


"On behalf of my wife and I, I would like to thank the PFWA for this prestigious award," said Goodwin via a statement issued by the 49ers. "I am so grateful and thankful for all of the support given to us by my teammates, my coaching staff and the 49ers family that helped us get through some of the toughest times in our lives. I want all of the people out there that are struggling to remember that the reward lasts longer than the pain."

Goodwin flourished in his first year with head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. He finished the season with 56 receptions for 962 yards with two touchdowns. When Pierre Garçon's season ended early due to a neck injury sustained during a Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Goodwin stepped up as the 49ers' new number one receiver.

Hours before the start of the 49ers' Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants, Goodwin and his wife, Morgan, lost their infant son due to complications which led to a premature delivery. Morgan encouraged her husband to play in the upcoming game. Goodwin caught an early pass for an 83-yard touchdown against the Giants, which set the tone for the 49ers' first victory of the season.

"Marquise Goodwin had his best NFL season while experiencing unimaginable personal tragedy," said Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area via a statement issued by the PFWA. "Just hours after the death of his unborn child, he played and played well. He then rushed home to be with his wife, Morgan. The next week was the bye week, and Marquise took part in a conference call with the beat reporters to speak at length about the ordeal. He hoped his words would serve as comfort for other families experiencing similar difficulties. Through all the heartbreak he experienced, Marquise also had his breakout season. If it weren't for a scary head injury he sustained in the final game, he probably would have reached the 1,000-yard mark in receiving. In his first season with the 49ers, Marquise gave the team everything it wanted from its players both on and off the field."

Just days before a Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Goodwin suffered another loss. This time, it was his biological father who passed away. Goodwin registered a season-high 10 receptions for 114 yards against Tennessee.


Goodwin led all wide receivers in passer rating when targeted on throws of 40-or-more yards. His quarterbacks combined for a phenomenal passer rating of 120.8 when targeting him at that distance, according to Pro Football Focus.

The 49ers originally signed Goodwin to a two-year deal on March 10, 2017. He was rewarded with a three-year contract extension through the 2021 season on March 8, 2018.

Goodwin was also named as the winner of the Len Eshmont Award, which was voted on by his teammates. The prestigious award is presented annually to a 49ers player who best exemplified the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont. Goodwin was also the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, which is given to a player who exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage, and the Garry Niver Award, which is presented to a 49ers player by the San Francisco Chapter of the PFWA for his cooperation and professional style.

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