San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin played an emotional game on Sunday, helping his team win their first game of the 2017 season.
But the tears shed in the end-zone weren’t for the hard-earned W, but rather Goodwin’s son, who tragically died just hours before his team faced off against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Goodwin and his wife, Morgan, were pregnant with their first child together, a son, who was delivered prematurely on Sunday morning after complications with Morgan’s pregnancy.
While most in his position would have taken the day off to grieve a precious life lost too soon, Goodwin took to the field alongside his “brothers” who have continued to lift him up. Prior to kickoff, Goodwin was seen crying on the sideline during Sunday’s national anthem.
The wide receiver caught a pass from quarterback CJ Beathard in the first half for an 83-yard touchdown that showed Goodwin immediately drop to his knees. He blew a kiss to the sky and offered a brief prayer before a flood of emotions visibly overcame him. His teammates gathered around and offered their comfort.
In an Instagram post Goodwin shared following the game on Sunday, the wide receiver expressed his gratitude for everyone who had been praying for him and his wife.
“Unfortunately we lost our baby boy due to some complications, and had to prematurely deliver him early this morning around 4 a.m.,” he writes.
Goodwin says although the pain they’re experiencing “physically, mentally and emotionally” is beyond anything they could have ever imagined, he’s grateful for the experience and the “courageous and resilient” wife that God has blessed him with.
Morgan posted her own tribute to their son writing, “Our faith is strong,” and asking friends and family to give them space as they mourn the loss of their baby boy.
