 | |||||||
| No. 55, 50, 96, 99 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Defensive end /Linebacker | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | (1981-05-11)May 11, 1981 San Diego, California, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | June 15, 2008(2008-06-15) (aged 27) Clay County, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Edward H. White (Jacksonville, Florida) | ||||||
| College | Marshall (2001–2004) | ||||||
| NFL draft | 2005: 6th round, 206th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Jonathan Bruce Goddard (May 11, 1981 – June 15, 2008) was an American professionalfootballdefensive end who played in theNational Football League (NFL) andArena Football League (AFL). He was drafted by theDetroit Lions and also spent time with theIndianapolis Colts andColorado Crush before his death in a June 2008 motorcycle accident.
Goddard was born inSan Diego, California, and attendedEdward H. White High School inJacksonville, Florida.
Goddard attendedMarshall University, where he played for theThundering Herd and was anAll-America selection.
His senior season statistics include 78 tackles, 16sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 5 broken up passes, 5 forced fumbles, and 3quarterback hurries. He was runner-up in theBronko Nagurski Trophy standings.
Goddard was drafted by theDetroit Lions in the sixth round (206th overall) of the2005 NFL draft with a pick acquired from theNew 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.
Following his release from the Lions, Goddard was signed to the practice squad by theIndianapolis Colts on September 14. He was promoted to the active roster on January 1, 2006, and made his NFL debut the same day against theArizona Cardinals. Goddard recorded one solo tackle in the Colts' 17–13 victory. He was inactive during the team's divisional round loss to thePittsburgh Steelers.
On August 20, 2006, Goddard suffered a foot injury in a preseason game against theSeattle Seahawks. He was placed on season-endinginjured reserve three days later.
Goddard was signed by theColorado Crush of theArena 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.
Goddard died on June 15, 2008, from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in northernFlorida.[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. inClay County.