Husky Legend: D’Andre Goodwin
September 13, 2019 | Football
By Tanner Kay
All that D'Andre Goodwin ever wanted was an opportunity. Whether it was on the field, or in a classroom, Goodwin has always made the most of any chance he's gotten. So when he was offered a scholarship at the University of Washington, he made the best of it.
Raised in California, Goodwin played his senior of high school football at Antelope Valley in Lancaster. It was there that he was able to grab the attention of the Huskies.
"I had a chance to be recruited by UW, took my visit, and when I arrived in Seattle, and got on campus, it was pretty much a done deal," Goodwin recalled. "I fell in love with the city and the university."
There were also some strong family ties drawing Goodwin to UW. Goodwin's cousin, Former UW linebacker Joe Kelly, had a big influence on him attending Washington.
"Joe was a big reason why I chose to play for UW," Goodwin explained. "He played way back when I was a kid. That's kind of how I knew about them growing up."
Goodwin arrived on campus in 2007. In his freshman season he appeared in 11 games, recording six receptions for 29 yards as UW went 4-9.
In 2008 Goodwin enjoyed a breakout season. Now a sophomore, a more experienced Goodwin pulled in 60 receptions for 692 yards receiving and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Huskies went winless, and UW was forced to make a coaching change.
"I went during a time when it was part of building a new culture. My early years were rebuilding years," he said. "We struggled early on and went through a coaching change with Steve Sarkisian, but we were able to bounce back and help create a culture that has continued to be built on today."
The 2009 season saw UW rebound to a 5-7 record, and Goodwin pulled down 14 receptions for 227 yards. But, heading into his senior season, UW and Goodwin wanted more.
After a slow start to the 2010 season, including a loss to Nebraska in Husky Stadium, UW went down to USC needing a victory. In his return to California, Goodwin was able to provide a clutch performance for his team.
"We went down there to LA and on the last drive it was fourth and long, and we had to make a play for a chance to win the game," Goodwin said. "Me and Jake Locker hooked up for a first down and kept that drive going, and we finished it with an Erik Folk kick to win the game. That game meant a lot, especially being from California."
But that wasn't the only memorable game UW had in California that season. Goodwin and Washington returned to his home state needing a win against Cal to keep their dreams of a bowl game alive.
"That Cal game, it was pretty much win and go to a bowl game or lose and go home," Goodwin remembered.
"I had a pretty crazy catch there where Locker threw me one down field, and me and the defender both were going up for it. It got tipped up in the air and I came down with it. That touchdown gave us some momentum and we went on to win that game."
After winning the Cal game in dramatic fashion, UW claimed victory in the Apple Cup making them bowl eligible for the first time since 2002.
UW was selected to play in the Holiday Bowl, where they were set to face Nebraska, who had defeated the Huskies earlier in the season. In what would be his final game for Washington, Goodwin led the team in receiving as UW defeated the Cornhuskers, sending all the Husky seniors out with a win.
After his memorable senior season in which Goodwin finished with 44 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns, he graduated and moved onto the NFL. He spent two seasons with the Denver Broncos, before returning to Washington as a graduate assistant.
"I had the opportunity to come back and be a graduate assistant with Sarkisian and his staff. He gave me a great opportunity, so I came back," Goodwin said.
After Sarkisian and his staff left for USC, Goodwin had the chance to stay and learn from Chris Petersen.
"I was lucky enough to be part of such a great staff and use all the things I learned from him to get to where I am today."
Goodwin now works for a marketing agency in Seattle. But the lessons he learned at UW have stayed with him, even now that he's done with football. Looking back at his time with UW now, Goodwin appreciates just how much the school has meant to him.
"UW was a very special place for me. On the football field it was great to have teammates and build that family," Goodwin recounted.
"I was able to get my degree and come back and be a graduate assistant and get my masters. I spent a lot of time there as a player, a student, and then as a graduate assistant."
During his time at the Washington, Goodwin helped to bring the Huskies back to winning football. But, just as important to him, was being able position the program to enjoy the success it does today.
"It's pretty cool to see where they are today, with the foundation we helped to build," Goodwin reflected. "Especially, not only being able to play, but then to have an impact as a graduate assistant on that side of things."
Now, as Goodwin returns to Husky Field, he will look back on his career and remember his triumphs as a player, his days as a student and the lessons he learned as a coach. But after it all, he will get to look back and know that he made the most of his opportunity.
All that D'Andre Goodwin ever wanted was an opportunity. Whether it was on the field, or in a classroom, Goodwin has always made the most of any chance he's gotten. So when he was offered a scholarship at the University of Washington, he made the best of it.
Raised in California, Goodwin played his senior of high school football at Antelope Valley in Lancaster. It was there that he was able to grab the attention of the Huskies.
"I had a chance to be recruited by UW, took my visit, and when I arrived in Seattle, and got on campus, it was pretty much a done deal," Goodwin recalled. "I fell in love with the city and the university."
There were also some strong family ties drawing Goodwin to UW. Goodwin's cousin, Former UW linebacker Joe Kelly, had a big influence on him attending Washington.
"Joe was a big reason why I chose to play for UW," Goodwin explained. "He played way back when I was a kid. That's kind of how I knew about them growing up."
Goodwin arrived on campus in 2007. In his freshman season he appeared in 11 games, recording six receptions for 29 yards as UW went 4-9.
In 2008 Goodwin enjoyed a breakout season. Now a sophomore, a more experienced Goodwin pulled in 60 receptions for 692 yards receiving and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Huskies went winless, and UW was forced to make a coaching change.
"I went during a time when it was part of building a new culture. My early years were rebuilding years," he said. "We struggled early on and went through a coaching change with Steve Sarkisian, but we were able to bounce back and help create a culture that has continued to be built on today."
The 2009 season saw UW rebound to a 5-7 record, and Goodwin pulled down 14 receptions for 227 yards. But, heading into his senior season, UW and Goodwin wanted more.
After a slow start to the 2010 season, including a loss to Nebraska in Husky Stadium, UW went down to USC needing a victory. In his return to California, Goodwin was able to provide a clutch performance for his team.
"We went down there to LA and on the last drive it was fourth and long, and we had to make a play for a chance to win the game," Goodwin said. "Me and Jake Locker hooked up for a first down and kept that drive going, and we finished it with an Erik Folk kick to win the game. That game meant a lot, especially being from California."
But that wasn't the only memorable game UW had in California that season. Goodwin and Washington returned to his home state needing a win against Cal to keep their dreams of a bowl game alive.
"That Cal game, it was pretty much win and go to a bowl game or lose and go home," Goodwin remembered.
"I had a pretty crazy catch there where Locker threw me one down field, and me and the defender both were going up for it. It got tipped up in the air and I came down with it. That touchdown gave us some momentum and we went on to win that game."
After winning the Cal game in dramatic fashion, UW claimed victory in the Apple Cup making them bowl eligible for the first time since 2002.
UW was selected to play in the Holiday Bowl, where they were set to face Nebraska, who had defeated the Huskies earlier in the season. In what would be his final game for Washington, Goodwin led the team in receiving as UW defeated the Cornhuskers, sending all the Husky seniors out with a win.
After his memorable senior season in which Goodwin finished with 44 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns, he graduated and moved onto the NFL. He spent two seasons with the Denver Broncos, before returning to Washington as a graduate assistant.
"I had the opportunity to come back and be a graduate assistant with Sarkisian and his staff. He gave me a great opportunity, so I came back," Goodwin said.
After Sarkisian and his staff left for USC, Goodwin had the chance to stay and learn from Chris Petersen.
"I was lucky enough to be part of such a great staff and use all the things I learned from him to get to where I am today."
Goodwin now works for a marketing agency in Seattle. But the lessons he learned at UW have stayed with him, even now that he's done with football. Looking back at his time with UW now, Goodwin appreciates just how much the school has meant to him.
"UW was a very special place for me. On the football field it was great to have teammates and build that family," Goodwin recounted.
"I was able to get my degree and come back and be a graduate assistant and get my masters. I spent a lot of time there as a player, a student, and then as a graduate assistant."
During his time at the Washington, Goodwin helped to bring the Huskies back to winning football. But, just as important to him, was being able position the program to enjoy the success it does today.
"It's pretty cool to see where they are today, with the foundation we helped to build," Goodwin reflected. "Especially, not only being able to play, but then to have an impact as a graduate assistant on that side of things."
Now, as Goodwin returns to Husky Field, he will look back on his career and remember his triumphs as a player, his days as a student and the lessons he learned as a coach. But after it all, he will get to look back and know that he made the most of his opportunity.
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