Chris Godwin has been a vital asset to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since he was drafted, including winning a Super Bowl ring alongside Tom Brady in 2021. As a former third-round draft pick, Godwin recently completed his seventh season in the league after the Buccaneers’ divisional-round loss to the Detroit Lions.
While the offseason approaches and discussions about contract extensions among the players dominate headlines, the wide receiver has captured the spotlight with a heartfelt message dedicated to his late father.
Chris Godwin pays an emotional memorial to his late father
Chris Godwin took to Instagram on Thursday to share the heartbreaking news of his father’s passing. While details about Rod Goodwin Sr. are not made public by the wide receiver, it’s sure that he left behind a ton of memories cherished by his son.
In an emotional tribute, Godwin posted several photos of himself and his father, starting with the earliest picture of them together on the day Chris was born. Alongside the images, the Bucs’ player poured out his heart, reminiscing about the sweet moments he shared with his father.
“Rifle, I love you man. My earliest memories are of times I spent with you in the car listening to either sports talk radio or Frank Sinatra, a wild range of content I thought. Growing up, you were my hero. The love you poured into your children is what allowed me to believe I could accomplish my dreams,” he wrote on Instagram.
Godwin continued, reflecting on his father’s influence on his life, fondly recalling his father’s enthusiastic presence at his games that helped him to go so far.
“Whatever I was interested in, you nurtured those dreams and fully supported me. I’ll never forget you screaming ‘HALF MAN, HALF MONSTER, THE MANSTER!’ at all of my games at each level I played at. With the love you gave and the work ethic you displayed, you unknowingly provided me the tools I needed to reach my goals.”
With a heavy heart, Godwin thanked his father for his love and guidance: “Thank you for being so proud of me. And most importantly, thank you for being my father.”
In his closing remarks, the seven-season vet expressed remorse for his father’s suffering and found solace in knowing that he was now at peace.
What is Chris Godwin’s current contract with the Bucs?
Before the tragic loss of his father, Chris Godwin had an exceptional season on the field. Despite facing personal challenges, he put forward his talent with impressive statistics, including 130 targets and 83 catches. The talented player also achieved a remarkable feat by recording his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
The wide receiver’s contract spans three years, amounting to a hefty sum of $60,000,000 per Spotrac. As part of this agreement, Chris Godwin received a significant signing bonus of $18,750,000, contributing to an average annual salary of $20,000,000.
The contract also includes substantial guarantees, with a total of $40,000,000 guaranteed throughout its duration. Notably, the entirety of these guarantees were provided at the time of signing.
Looking ahead, he is set to become a free agent in 2025, which will grant him the opportunity to explore his options and potentially secure a new contract with another team.
Until then, Buccaneers fans can continue to enjoy Godwin’s contributions on the field as he plays under the terms of his current agreement.
