Former Penn State WR Chris Godwin suffers season-ending ACL injury
Before he’d even arrived at Penn State, Chris Godwin dreamed of someday reaching the NFL.
Landing with the Nittany Lions in the Class of 2014, the Delaware product quickly asserted himself as one of the program’s best. An all-time performer at the position, the performance made for an easy decision to leave after his junior season for the NFL in 2016.
“In high school, it was still a dream. In high school, I was mainly worried about playing in college, doing what I can to be effective at Penn State. That was the biggest thing that was on my mind,” Godwin said. “But as my career started to develop at Penn State, I really started to realize that this was an opportunity for me later in the road. It’s a blessing to be in this position.”
Godwin’s first four seasons in the league more than lived up to his Penn State accomplishments. Those included 86 receptions and nine touchdowns in 2019, a Super Bowl win for the 2020 season, and a breakout campaign this season.
It all came to an abrupt halt for Godwin on Monday, however.
Exiting the Buccaneers’ game early on Sunday, the star receiver received word Monday that he’d torn his ACL, according to multiple league reports and confirmed by Bucs head coach Bruce Arians at his press conference.
Forced out of the Bucs game against the Saints in the second quarter Sunday night, Godwin’s excellent 2021 season came to a screeching conclusion.
Top 10
- 1
Todd Golden
UF HC accused of stalking, sexual harassment
- 2New
UGA vs. Tennessee
Early spread released for SEC clash
- 3
RIP Ben
Kirk Herbstreit announces dog's passing
- 4Hot
PETA slams LSU
Live tiger on sideline draws ire
- 5
Hugh Freeze
Auburn HC addresses boos
Third in the league with 98 receptions, Godwin is also fifth in yards with 1,103 for the 10-4, NFL South-leading Buccaneers.
“Chris has an ACL and he’s done,” Arians said Monday. “He’ll be done for the season.”
Expected to be in line for a big contract signing this offseason, the setback creates an uncertain future for the unrestricted free-agent following the 2021 season.
“You feel bad for him because he was having such a great year,” Arians said. “The type of hit it was, totally legal, but I think that’s one of the things we have to look at in the offseason. We’re so concerned about hitting people in the head that we’re getting a lot of knee injuries now because of that type of tackle.
“It is legal and wasn’t a bad play at all. But you just feel bad for Chris.”
