Chris Godwin Bio
Chris Godwin is an American professional football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 209 pounds, Godwin has developed into one of the most dependable pass-catchers in the NFC. His combination of size, route-running, and strong hands has helped him become a focal point of the Buccaneers offense since his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Chris Godwin was born on February 27, 1996, in Middletown, Delaware. He grew up in the same small city where he would later star on the football field, surrounded by a tight-knit community that rallied around its local teams.
He attended Middletown High School, where he suited up for the Cavaliers and played a central role in a remarkable run of team success. Over his four years, the program compiled a 41–7 record and captured two state championships. Godwin himself topped 700 receiving yards every season and saved his best for his senior year, finishing with 1,150 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns.
His high school résumé earned him the Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior and an invitation to the 2013 Under Armour All-American Game. He was a four-time all-conference pick at wide receiver and kick returner, was named all-state three times, and was recognized as an Academic All-State selection. Rated a four-star recruit by all four major recruiting services, he was ranked the top player in Delaware by ESPN, Rivals.com, and 247Sports.com.
Path to American Football
Chris Godwin took his decorated high school career to Penn State, where he joined the Nittany Lions and appeared in all thirteen games as a freshman, posting 26 receptions for 338 yards. He earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors for that effort, signaling his arrival as a college-level contributor.
His sophomore season marked a true breakout. Godwin racked up 1,101 receiving yards and five touchdowns, crossing the 100-yard mark in five separate games. He closed the year with a 133-yard performance in the TaxSlayer Bowl against Georgia, putting the country on notice.
As a junior, opposing defenses began sending extra coverage his way. After a slow stretch, Godwin regained his rhythm and finished with a career-high 187 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl against USC. On January 5, 2017, he announced via Twitter that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2017 NFL draft.
Chris Godwin Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Chris Godwin in the third round with the 84th overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft. Behind established veterans DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans, his early production was limited, but he finished his rookie campaign with 34 receptions for 525 yards and one touchdown, highlighted by a Week 17 performance against the New Orleans Saints in which he caught nine passes for 111 yards and a score to earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
In his second season, Godwin took a clear step forward. He caught a receiving touchdown in each of the first three games of the year and closed the schedule with six receptions for 114 yards and two scores against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished 2018 with 59 receptions for 842 yards and seven touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable second option in the passing game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2019–2020)
The 2019 season was Godwin’s first as a true number-one weapon. He opened with a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers and later exploded for a career-high 12 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns in a road shootout win over the Los Angeles Rams. He followed that with seven catches for 125 yards and two scores against the New Orleans Saints, and later set a new personal best with 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, a game that included a 71-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jameis Winston. He finished the year with 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns, earned his first Pro Bowl selection, and was named Second-Team All-Pro.
In 2020, Godwin switched from jersey number 12 to number 14 to accommodate new teammate Tom Brady. Despite battling a concussion, a hamstring injury, and a fractured finger, he played 12 games and posted 65 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. In the playoffs, he caught his first postseason touchdown in the Wild Card win over Washington, added five catches for 110 yards in the NFC Championship victory over the Green Bay Packers, and finished with two receptions for nine yards in the Buccaneers’ 31–9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2021–Present)
Chris Godwin continued his strong play in 2021, opening the year with nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. He set a new career and franchise record with 15 receptions for 143 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. A torn ACL and sprained MCL suffered on December 19, 2021, against the New Orleans Saints ended his season early, but he still finished with 98 receptions for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns.
In March 2022, the Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on Godwin for the second consecutive season before agreeing to a three-year extension worth $60 million, with $40 million guaranteed at signing. He responded with 104 receptions for 1,023 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games.
Godwin started all 17 games in 2023, recording 83 receptions for 1,024 yards and two touchdowns, and added a touchdown in the Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He opened the 2024 season with 11 receptions for 125 yards and two scores against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, but a dislocated left ankle suffered in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens required surgery and ended his year after seven games.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chris Godwin is widely regarded as one of the most complete wide receivers in the league, combining polished route-running with reliable hands and the size to win in contested-catch situations. He is at his best working the middle of the field on slants, crossers, and dig routes, and his ability to line up inside or outside gives his quarterback flexibility. His preparation and consistency have made him a trusted target in high-pressure moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his Super Bowl LV championship, Chris Godwin’s most memorable moments include his career-best 184-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 and his franchise-record 15-reception game against the same opponent in 2021. He has crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in four separate seasons (2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023), an achievement that places him among the most productive pass-catchers of his era.
Chris Godwin Career Wins
Chris Godwin’s professional résumé is anchored by his Super Bowl LV victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2020 season, the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy. He has earned one Pro Bowl selection and one Second-Team All-Pro honor, both following the 2019 campaign.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Highlights
Since joining the Buccaneers in 2017, Godwin has been a consistent producer. He has posted four 1,000-yard receiving seasons and multiple double-digit touchdown campaigns, including a career-high nine scores in 2019. His playoff résumé includes a touchdown against Washington in the 2020 Wild Card Round, a 110-yard performance in the NFC Championship win over Green Bay, and a Super Bowl LV ring.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Godwin helped Penn State to a Rose Bowl appearance following the 2016 season, capping his career with a 187-yard, two-touchdown performance against USC. He earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors in 2014 and Third-Team All-Big Ten recognition in 2016.
Chris Godwin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chris Godwin’s full name is Rod Christopher Godwin Jr., a tribute to his late father that he honored in June 2025 by announcing plans to change the name on the back of his jersey to Godwin Jr. His father remained an important figure throughout his athletic journey, and the family connection to Middletown, Delaware, helped shape his early development as a player.
Personal Life
Chris Godwin married his high school sweetheart, Mariah DelPercio, in 2021. In 2019, the couple launched the Team Godwin Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping pets in need by providing financial assistance to local shelter and rescue groups.
2025 Season Performance
Chris Godwin enters the 2025 season coming off a dislocated ankle that cut his 2024 campaign short after seven games. On March 11, 2025, he signed a three-year, $66 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a deal that keeps him in Tampa Bay through the 2028 season and underscores the organization’s belief in his long-term role in the offense.
His recovery from ankle surgery will be a focal point of training camp and the early part of the schedule. After finishing 2024 with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns in limited action, expectations remain high for a return to his 1,000-yard form when fully healthy.
With a familiar quarterback situation and a stable coaching staff, Godwin is positioned to remain a featured target in the Buccaneers’ passing attack. His experience, route-running precision, and red-zone reliability make him a cornerstone of the team’s offensive plan as the franchise pushes to remain competitive in the NFC.