C.J. Goodwin Bio
Charaun Jareé Goodwin, known professionally as C.J. Goodwin, is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after a college career that spanned both basketball and football at the small-college level. Over more than a decade in professional football, Goodwin has built his reputation almost entirely on special teams work, becoming one of the most reliable coverage players in the league.
Early Life and Background
Charaun Jareé Goodwin was born on February 4, 1990, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is the son of Yvette Goodwin-Rowe and Perry Galloway Jr. Goodwin grew up in Wheeling and attended The Linsly School, a private college-preparatory school in his hometown. He worked for Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount as a farmhand for seven years during his youth, attending the same high school as Blount’s son.
Goodwin did not play organized football until his senior year at Linsly, when he stepped in as a starting wide receiver. In addition to football, he competed in track and basketball, giving him a varied athletic foundation. His late start in football made him an unconventional prospect heading into college.
Path to American Football
After graduating from Linsly, Goodwin attended Bethany College, where he played two seasons of basketball for the Bethany Bison and did not play football. Following his sophomore year, he transferred to Fairmont State University, where he joined the Fighting Falcons football team on the urging of his father, the late Perry Galloway Jr., and his college roommate, future NFL player Dewey McDonald. As a walk-on wide receiver, he produced an impressive first season that included a 104-yard game with an 83-yard touchdown catch against West Liberty University, played against his first cousin, Daree’ Goodwin.
After earning a scholarship at Fairmont State, Goodwin transferred to California University of Pennsylvania to continue playing wide receiver for his former Fairmont head coach Mike Lopez. At Cal-Pennsylvania, he primarily contributed on special teams, finishing his senior season with 11 receptions, 126 receiving yards, and one touchdown across 11 games and one start. He entered the 2014 NFL draft as a relatively unknown small-school prospect with good size and athletic measurables.
C.J. Goodwin Career
Early Career (2014-2015)
Going undrafted in 2014, C.J. Goodwin initially drew no interest as an undrafted free agent. Mel Blount urged the Pittsburgh Steelers to give him a tryout, and on June 4, 2014, he signed a three-year, $1.53 million undrafted rookie free agent contract. He was released during final cuts in August but was quickly added to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/futures contract with Pittsburgh on January 5, 2015, before being waived again at the end of the 2015 preseason.
On November 3, 2015, Goodwin was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/futures contract with Atlanta on January 5, 2016, and during training camp that year converted from wide receiver to cornerback. The position change would shape his professional trajectory.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2016-2017)
In his first full season as a cornerback, Goodwin played in 14 games with one start for the 2016 Atlanta Falcons, recording 7 defensive tackles, 2 passes defensed, and 10 special teams tackles. The Falcons reached Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, where they fell to the New England Patriots 34-28 in overtime. Goodwin contributed 2 defensive tackles and 1 special teams tackle in that championship game.
Goodwin returned to Atlanta in 2017, appearing in 12 games with 5 defensive tackles and 3 special teams tackles before being waived on December 14, 2017. He was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on December 15 and played in the final two games of that season, registering one special teams tackle.
Journeyman Year and Dallas Cowboys Arrival (2018)
The 2018 offseason and preseason saw C.J. Goodwin move between several NFL franchises. He was released by the Cardinals on May 1, claimed off waivers by the New York Giants on May 2, and waived by the Giants on May 14. On May 15, he was claimed by the San Francisco 49ers, only to be waived on July 31. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on August 4, was waived on September 1, and re-signed to their practice squad the next day.
On October 9, 2018, the Dallas Cowboys signed Goodwin off the Bengals practice squad. He was placed on injured reserve on October 26 after surgery for a broken forearm, then activated on December 24 to play gunner on special teams. He played in two regular-season games and the season finale, finishing his first Cowboys season with one special teams tackle while playing through injuries.
Dallas Cowboys Breakthrough (2019-2021)
In 2019, Goodwin appeared in all 16 games for the first time in his career and became a key contributor on special teams. He registered 2 defensive tackles and a team-leading 10 special teams tackles, including 3 against the Chicago Bears. On March 30, 2020, he re-signed with the Cowboys. He was released during final roster cuts on September 5 in a planned maneuver, then re-signed two days later. In Week 2 against his former Atlanta Falcons, he recovered an onside kick with under two minutes left to set up the game-winning field goal in a 40-39 comeback, a play known as the ‘watermelon’ kick.
On March 19, 2021, Goodwin re-signed with Dallas on a two-year contract. He appeared in all 17 games, recorded 10 special teams tackles, and became the first player in franchise history to lead the team in that category for three consecutive seasons, a record tracked since 1988. In Week 16 of 2020, he also helped neutralize rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts as a spy defender in a 37-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Current Team Era (2022-Present)
Goodwin was waived during 2022 final roster cuts on August 30 in a planned maneuver and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He appeared in all 17 games and finished second on the team in special teams tackles behind Luke Gifford. On March 16, 2023, he re-signed with Dallas on a one-year deal, was released on August 29, re-signed to the practice squad, and was promoted to the active roster on September 23 before landing on injured reserve on October 16 with a pectoral injury.
On March 14, 2024, Goodwin re-signed with the Cowboys, continuing his run as a core special teams player. On March 4, 2025, he re-signed with Dallas on a one-year contract. He was released during final roster cuts and re-signed to the active roster on August 27, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goodwin’s professional value rests on speed, tackling reliability, and coverage instincts in kicking games rather than on defensive back statistics. His track-and-basketball athletic base, developed late but sharpened through college football, gives him the acceleration to excel as a gunner on punt and kickoff coverage units.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2020 ‘watermelon’ onside kick recovery against Atlanta stands as Goodwin’s signature NFL moment. His three consecutive seasons leading the Cowboys in special teams tackles (2019-2021) is a franchise record. Reaching Super Bowl LI with the 2016 Atlanta Falcons remains the deepest postseason run of his career.
C.J. Goodwin Career Wins
C.J. Goodwin has not recorded any verified individual statistical wins or championship titles across his NFL career. His impact has been measured in special teams production rather than win totals.
Dallas Cowboys Highlights
Goodwin’s standout Cowboys moment came in Week 2 of the 2020 season, when his onside kick recovery set up the game-winning field goal in a 40-39 comeback over Atlanta. He has appeared in postseason play with Dallas and was part of multiple playoff rosters, though individual postseason statistics are not prominently documented.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with the 2016 Atlanta Falcons, Goodwin appeared in 14 regular-season games and contributed to a Super Bowl LI appearance. His steady special teams work with the Falcons, Cardinals, and Cowboys has defined his professional reputation.
C.J. Goodwin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Goodwin was raised by his mother, Yvette Goodwin-Rowe, and his father, Perry Galloway Jr. His father, who passed away, was a key influence in convincing him to take up football at Fairmont State and is honored through the PeGa Foundation (Perry Galloway Jr. Foundation), a nonprofit mentoring organization Goodwin founded in his father’s memory, based in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Personal Life
Goodwin has a daughter. He spends much of his free time mentoring youth through the PeGa Foundation and speaking at schools and youth groups across the country.
2025 Season Performance
C.J. Goodwin re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys on March 4, 2025, on a one-year contract. He was released during final roster cuts in late August before being re-signed to the active roster on August 27, 2025, a familiar late-summer routine for a player who has become a fixture of the team’s special teams plans.
His 2025 role is expected to mirror his recent seasons in Dallas: a coverage specialist and core member of the kicking game units. Given his franchise record of three consecutive seasons leading the team in special teams tackles from 2019 to 2021, he remains a steady veteran presence on those phases of the game.
The outlook for Goodwin in 2025 centers on maintaining his status as a reliable gunner and tackler on coverage units. With each Cowboys contract since 2020, he has continued to extend one of the longer tenures among Dallas special teams aces.