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Doug Goodwin
This article was written by Greg D. Tranter
Doug Goodwin was a strapping 6-foot, 3-inch 230-pound fullback/linebacker with 9.7
speed in the 100-yard dash. He starred at Maryland State (today known as Maryland
Eastern Shore University), played briefly in the National Football League with Buffalo
and Atlanta and finished his football career playing three seasons of minor league
football in the Atlantic Coast Football League, hoping to return to the NFL.
Douglas MacArthur Goodwin was born on March 11, 1942 in Charleston, South
Carolina. Doug was one of eight children, four sisters and three brothers. He grew up in
Charleston. Goodwin played football, basketball, and track in high school. He also raised
and raced pigeons. Upon graduation from high school, Goodwin entered Maryland State
in the fall of 1960.
He made a name for himself as a sophomore helping Maryland State win the National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 31 track championship. He was
one of two dual winners, as he won both the 100-yard dash and the 220 while also
running the opening leg in the 440-yard relay that his team won. As a junior he broke the
Delaware State track record with a 9.1 in the 100-yard dash, he ran in the Penn relays and
had a 9.7 100-yard dash in the NAIA National Championships. Maryland State won the
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The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing professional football history. The PFRA is incorporated in the
state of Connecticut and has 501(c)(3) status as an educational organization with the Internal Revenue
Service.
1963 NAIA National Track Championship. His Dad died during his junior year from a
fatal heart attack.
Goodwin was the speediest man on the football team, despite his imposing size. He
lettered in both his freshman and sophomore years playing end. He was switched to
fullback and linebacker as a junior and was voted honorable mention to the All Maryland
Small College Football team. He helped lead the young Hawks to a 4-4 record. He also
scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run in their opening game victory versus Livingstone.
In his senior year he led the Hawks football team to a 4-2-1 record and a fourth place
finish out of 18 in the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). He was the
team’s MVP starring at both linebacker and fullback. He shared the backfield with future
New York Jet All-Pro Emerson Boozer. Goodwin was voted to the second team All
Maryland Small College team as senior.
The Baltimore Sun on October 29, 1964 assessed Goodwin’s chances of getting drafted
into professional football, “Goodwin isn’t a ball of fire on offense, but the pros could care
less. On defense, Doug has that rare ability to diagnose plays. He knows whether to red-
dog the quarterback or float back to cover a receiver, and the Hawks have been a tougher
team because of it.”
On November 28, 1964 he was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the eleventh round, with
the 88
th
pick in the 1965 American Football League Draft. On the same day, the Green
Bay Packers picked Goodwin in the fifth round of the NFL draft, the 66
th
player chosen.
Goodwin decided to sign with Buffalo as he heard that Green Bay was not a welcoming
place for African American players and was a prejudiced town. He inked his contract
with Dick Gallagher, Buffalo Bills General Manager, on April 15, 1965. He graduated
from Maryland State later that spring.
Goodwin injured his knee early in the Bills 1965 training camp and was lost for the
season. His knee surgery was successful, and he was excited for the Bills 1966 training
camp with Buffalo coming off back to back AFL Championships.
The Bills played their first preseason game for the 1966 season on August 7 with
Goodwin wearing jersey #35. It was his first exhibition game experience with Buffalo,
after having missed most of the previous training camp. His first game action occurred on
the first series of the second quarter. On first down from the Bills 22-yard line, Goodwin
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The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing professional football history. The PFRA is incorporated in the
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took a hand-off from quarterback Daryle Lamonica and bulled his way for seven yards.
Later in the quarter he carried the ball again for two yards, fumbling the ball, but the Bills
recovered. A few plays later he hauled in a 17-yard pass from Lamonica, only to have the
ball stolen out of his arms by a Patriot defender. He did not carry the ball in the second
half and finished his first game with two rushes for 10 yards, one pass reception for 17
yards and one fumble lost, in the Bills 19-13 victory.
Goodwin dislocated his shoulder, did not play in the following preseason game on
August 12 versus Denver and was released on August 16. When his injury healed, he was
placed on the Bills taxi-squad. He was activated for the Bills game at the Kansas City
Chiefs on October 2. He played in that game, the following week versus the Boston
Patriots and one other game during the 1966 season. He played primarily on special
teams in the three games he was on the active roster.
Goodwin spent most of the season on the taxi-squad but was activated when an injury
replacement was necessary. The Bills won the AFL East Division championship with a 9-
4-1 record but lost the AFL Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs on January 1,
1967, missing out on a chance to go to Super Bowl I. Goodwin was not active for the
AFL Championship game.
Goodwin was back again for his third training camp with Buffalo in 1967. The Bills 67
yearbook described him as a running back, he “has fine maneuverability for a big back
and boasts good power.” Goodwin reported along with 65 other players to the Bills
training camp on August 18. He lasted less than two weeks, being released on July 31.
He was placed on their taxi-squad and midway through the season he was waived as
injured. He sat out the rest of the 1967 football season. His three years in Buffalo were
disappointing as every time he was making progress to be able to get into the line-up
another injury derailed him. He cherished his 1965 AFL Championship ring and still
does.
He signed with the Green Bay Packers, who had selected him in the 1965 NFL draft, on
April 16, 1967. The Atlanta Falcons had contacted Goodwin looking to sign him, but
since the Packers had drafted him, they had to release Goodwin for the Falcons to sign
him. Goodwin contacted Vince Lombardi, Packers General Manager, requesting his
release. Instead of releasing him, Lombardi signed Goodwin for the Packers. After
signing with the Packers, Goodwin talked about being waived by the Bills and his new
opportunity with Green Bay saying, on being released, “it’s the best thing that’s ever
happened to me.” I’m glad I got the injury, so I got a chance to come to Green Bay.”
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The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing professional football history. The PFRA is incorporated in the
state of Connecticut and has 501(c)(3) status as an educational organization with the Internal Revenue
Service.
He had an uphill battle in Green Bay as the 1966 World Champion Packers had several
good players in their backfield including Elijah Pitts, Donny Anderson, Jim Grabowski,
Travis Williams, and Chuck Mercein.
Goodwin received an excellent opportunity in the Packers intra-squad scrimmage on July
27. He rushed six times for 21 yards, as the offense defeated the defense 10-0. He also
contributed a fumble recovery on special teams.
With the loaded Packers backfield, Goodwin got limited opportunities once the Packers
preseason games began. He received his most extensive action in the Packers fourth
preseason game, a 31-27 victory over Dallas. He carried the ball three times for six yards
with a costly fumble. He also caught one screen pass from Zeke Bratkowski for a five-
yard loss.
On September 2, with the Packers needing defensive help they traded Goodwin and wide
receiver Bob Long to the Atlanta Falcons for defensive end Leo Carroll and a future draft
pick.
Goodwin joined the Falcons and played in the teams’ final preseason game on September
8 versus the Miami Dolphins. He played on special teams and ran the ball once for a loss
of a yard in the Falcons 19-13 loss. Goodwin, wearing jersey #30, played special teams in
Atlanta’s first two regular season games. The Falcons were drilled by the Minnesota
Vikings 47-7 in their opening game at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis. They also
lost the next week, in their home opener, to the Baltimore Colts 28-20 with Goodwin
making two special teams tackles. A couple days following the Colts game embattled
Falcons head coach Norb Hecker released Goodwin.
Baltimore, who was impressed with Goodwin’s play on special teams in their most recent
game, signed him on September 27 to their “Band Squad.” Baltimore’s “Band Squad”
was a fancy name for their taxi-squad. They were interested in converting him to play
linebacker, a position he played in college.
Goodwin, as part of the “Band Squad” practiced with the Colts during the week but also
played for their minor league affiliate, the Atlantic Coast Football Leagues (ACFL),
Harrisburg Capitols on the weekend.
His first game with the Capitols was October 5 versus the Pottstown Firebirds. Goodwin
started and played linebacker in the Capitols 17-7 loss. He played in the final seven
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The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing professional football history. The PFRA is incorporated in the
state of Connecticut and has 501(c)(3) status as an educational organization with the Internal Revenue
Service.
games of Harrisburg’s season, but the club was a dismal 1-6. However, Goodwin
received a lot of playing time to hone his linebacking skills. The highlight of his season
with the Capitols is that he intercepted passes in back to back games. In a 26-7 loss to
Hartford on November 9, he picked off a Manch Wheeler pass in the end zone, thwarting
a Hartford drive. The following week in a 19-10 victory over Richmond, Goodwin
intercepted a pass setting up a key touchdown.
Goodwin participated in the Colts 1969 training camp but was waived on September 4.
He signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles affiliate, the Pottstown Firebirds. With
the Firebirds he returned to his more normal fullback position and was also utilized in
returning kicks. He saw his first action carrying the football for Pottstown on September
27, rushing the ball seven times for 28 yards in a 49-3 romp over the Quincy Giants.
The following week versus the Roanoke Buckskins, Goodwin took the opening kick-off
96 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest kick-off return in ACFL history. It helped
catapult the Firebirds to a 20-10 victory.
On October 10 with the game tied 14-14 between Pottstown and Quincy, Goodwin came
up with the biggest play of the game. Quincy had just scored to tie the game and on the
ensuing kick-off, Goodwin raced 58 yards to the Giants 32-yard line. Five plays later,
Pottstown scored the go-ahead TD and was back in the lead 21-14 on their way to a 28-
14 victory. Firebirds Head Coach Dave DiFilippo said in the postgame locker room,
“Goodwin’s runback was the deciding factor in the ball game.” Goodwin was awarded
the Outstanding Player of the Game award by the Firebird Quarterback Club.
Goodwin continued to contribute to the Firebirds success as they roared to a 10-2 regular
season record and were Southern Division Champions. Goodwin finished second in the
league in kick-off returns with 16 returns for 427 yards and a 26.7 average.
Pottstown defeated the Hartford Knights 20-0 in the ACFL Championship game.
Goodwin returned the opening kick-off 29 yards and carried four times in the game for
17 yards as he and the Firebirds were crowned ACFL Champions.
He returned to the Firebirds to start the 1970 season but left the club on September 8 and
did not return. He went back to Charleston, SC as his teammate Jim Baughn said, “he
has family and job problems.” Sadly, Goodwin’s pro football career was over. He very
much wanted to get back to the NFL but was never able to get the right chance and stay
injury free to prove his worth.
Professional Football Researchers Association
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The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing professional football history. The PFRA is incorporated in the
state of Connecticut and has 501(c)(3) status as an educational organization with the Internal Revenue
Service.
Goodwin was elected to the Maryland Eastern Shore University Athletic Hall of Fame in
2004.
Following his football career, he returned to South Carolina and taught Math for a few
years. He relocated to New York City where he was a Director of a Youth Center and
then had multiple construction management jobs.
In 1993 he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and battled heart disease for
several years while his declining health led to several near-death experiences. In 2001, it
was determined that his kidneys were failing and desperately needed a heart transplant
but there was limited time to find a matching donor. As time went on, he was given a
mechanical device, keeping him alive. Another problem, Goodwin had limited insurance,
enough to cover the $300,000 operation, but not money to cover the significant after care
and drug costs.
When former Bills quarterback and teammate Jack Kemp heard of Goodwin’s
predicament, he felt compelled to help. Even though he had not seen Goodwin in over 35
years, he stepped forward with a significant donation and helped rally other Bills Alumni
and team owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to provide financial support, to ensure Goodwin
could go forward with the heart transplant. Wilson said, “He was part of the Bills
franchise, and whenever we can step forward and help in some sort of way, I think it’s a
privilege to do it.”
i
With time ticking on the life of Goodwin, finally on September 10, a matching donor was
found in Boston. Goodwin’s doctors were immediately off to Logan Airport to retrieve
the heart and bring it to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, where Goodwin
would be waiting.
The heart was removed from the donor at 6:30am in Boston on Tuesday September 11. It
was packed with a preservative for the flight, maintaining the heart for about four to five
hours. The plane, with the heart on board, took-off for New York at 7:50am and arrived
in Teterboro airport at 8:35am, one of the last flights to arrive. Simultaneously, other
planes heading for New York were hijacked and American Flight 11 and United Flight
175 crashed into the World Trade Center at 8:46am and 9:03am.
At 9:15am, the ambulance carrying the heart destined for Goodwin crossed over the
George Washington Bridge, three minutes later the bridge was closed to all vehicular
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preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing professional football history. The PFRA is incorporated in the
state of Connecticut and has 501(c)(3) status as an educational organization with the Internal Revenue
Service.
traffic. The ambulance with Goodwin’s heart was one of the last vehicles to cross over
the bridge. At 10:05am, the South Tower collapsed and shortly after the North Tower
collapsed, all while Goodwin was receiving his new heart.
At about 3pm, Dr. Yoshifuma Naka completed the successful surgery. Goodwin’s
cardiologist, Dr. Ulrich Jorde said “If this heart had been held up at any point, at the
airport, before the bridge, even not being able to leave Boston, then we don’t know
whether Douglas might have been transplanted. He might have died.”
ii
When Goodwin awoke, he felt much better and knew he had a new lease on life,
however, he was stunned at what had transpired during his operation. This is one of the
positive stories to come from that horrible day.
Kemp said “The word heartwarming is a metaphor, but it is a wonderful one. I’m
extremely conscious of the donor, the doctors, the nurses, the hospital, my teammates, the
Bills, Mr. Wilson—I think it’s one of the greatest stories of my life.”
iii
“There are a lot of
memorable moments in my life, of football games, of politics, but this stands out because
it saved a human being’s life.”
iv
Goodwin has lived an additional 19 years and counting since his operation. He is married
to Gwendolyn and they have one child, Doug Jr. who was born in 1982. Doug Jr. played
college football at Boston College. Doug and Gwen live in North Charleston today.
End Notes:
i
Garber, Greg, Within a heartbeat of tragedy, http://www.espn.com/gen/s/2002/0909/1429645.html
ii
Garber, Greg, Within a heartbeat of tragedy, http://www.espn.com/gen/s/2002/0909/1429645.html
iii
Garber, Greg, Within a heartbeat of tragedy, http://www.espn.com/gen/s/2002/0909/1429645.html
iv
Garber, Greg, Within a heartbeat of tragedy, http://www.espn.com/gen/s/2002/0909/1429645.html
