Jonathan Bruce Goddard (May 11, 1981 – June 15, 2008) was an American professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Arena Football League (AFL). He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Colorado Crush before his death in a June 2008 motorcycle accident.
No. 55, 50, 96, 99 | |||||||
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Position: | Defensive end / Linebacker | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | San Diego, California, U.S. | May 11, 1981||||||
Died: | June 15, 2008 Clay County, Florida, U.S. | (aged 27)||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Jacksonville (FL) White | ||||||
College: | Marshall | ||||||
NFL draft: | 2005 / round: 6 / pick: 206 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Early life
editGoddard was born in San Diego, California, and attended Edward H. White High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
College career
editGoddard attended Marshall University, where he played for the Thundering Herd and was an All-America selection.
His senior season statistics include 78 tackles, 16 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 5 broken up passes, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 quarterback hurries. He was runner-up in the Bronko Nagurski Trophy standings.
Professional career
editDetroit Lions
editGoddard was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2005 NFL draft with a pick acquired from the New England Patriots.[1] He was signed to a three-year contract on July 15 and assigned No. 99. However, injuries plagued him during the 2005 preseason and he was released by the team on September 3.
Indianapolis Colts
editFollowing his release from the Lions, Goddard was signed to the practice squad by the Indianapolis Colts on September 14. He was promoted to the active roster on January 1, 2006 and made his NFL debut the same day against the Arizona Cardinals. Goddard recorded one solo tackle in the Colts' 17-13 victory. He was inactive during the team's divisional round loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On August 20, 2006, Goddard suffered a foot injury in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve three days later.
Colorado Crush
editGoddard was signed by the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League on May 6, 2008. He appeared in two games for the team, recording one assisted tackle and breaking up a pass. He was waived by the team on June 4.
Death
editGoddard died on June 15, 2008, from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in northern Florida.[2] According to reports, Goddard's motorcycle went off the shoulder of a road at high speed and overturned at approximately 7:40 p.m. in Clay County.
References
edit- ^ "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ Former Marshall player Johnathan Goddard dies in motorcycle accident