Marquise Goodwin never allowed himself to consider the alternative, that his football career might be over.
Not for a single second.
Diagnosed with blood clots in his legs and lungs at the start of his first training camp with Cleveland, the speedy wide receiver had faith he would play again.
No doubt in my mind,” Goodwin said, sweat still streaking down his face after leaving the field. “I knew I’d come back.” It’s because I knew that I would be back. I came here with a positive attitude and a smile every day. Goodwin, who has been dealing with an illness he describes as “more alarming” than “frightening”, returned to practice with the Browns on Tuesday for the first time since months. The 32-year old was reluctant to give any details regarding his health but claimed that the experience had changed him.
The 32 year-old said he is more grateful. “I’m grateful for the experience,” he said. “I think my perspective has changed in that sense.” It could have ended up being my last minicamp play, so I am glad to be back. The Browns signed the nine-year veteran originally drafted by Buffalo in 2013 to a one-year contract as a free agent in April. They needed a deep receiving threat to help quarterback Deshaun Watson. Goodwin said that he was a natural big brother. “I am the oldest child of 12, so I feel like I would be doing myself a great disservice if i didn’t tell him something that I thought could make him better. I try to embrace anyone who is willing to listen.
“I’ve seen a lot of things in the game, so I give what I can. Thank you to Ced, and other guys like him, for embracing that in me. They listened to my advice and took it on. Goodwin could have taken some time off, but he didn’t. Considering that he couldn’t practice, it would have been understandable if Goodwin had taken some time off.
The opposite happened.
He worked as hard as ever, so he’d be ready the moment he was cleared medically to play.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski marveled at Goodwin’s commitment.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever been around a player who’s as locked in as he is without practicing for a long time,” Stefanski said following the team’s first practice since trimming the roster to 53. “He is in every meeting.” He’s locked into every walkthrough and every game. It’s difficult for a player who doesn’t get any reps to take on that role, either for himself or his teammates. “
Moore claimed that staying in tune was not difficult.
‘Being locked in’ is part of my DNA. It’s part of my job. I’m a professional. He was motivated by his sister Deja, who has cerebral palsy. He’s been motivated along the way by a younger sister, Deja, who was stricken with cerebral palsy.
Goodwin wasn’t going to let this recent medical scare put him off course.
“This is just something that I had to deal with and overcome,” he said. “This is just something that I had deal with and overcome,” he said. We had to overcome a lot of obstacles, and I am glad I did. Dustin Hopkins, the newly acquired kicker, did not make it to practice. The Browns acquired Hopkins on Monday, and released second-year kicker Cade York. York’s struggles during the exhibition season prompted the team to act. Stefanski called it “a tough decision” and said the Browns would “certainly” sign York as a practice squad member if he cleared waivers. Watson was not feeling well, and he was kept out of practice with Elijah Moore. Stefanski stated that he was “just sick”. Should be back soon.” … TE Harrison Bryant (undisclosed medical issue), RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) and rookie CB Cameron Mitchell (shoulder) all returned to practice after missing time.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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