Marquise Goodwin made of the biggest headlines this summer when he surprised his mother and sister with a new house in his home state of Texas. In the video, Goodwin rolled out the red carpet and blindfolded his family before unveiling their new residence. On Friday, Goodwin took to the podium to explain the grand gesture that's been a dream of his since childhood.
"We didn't have much when I was growing up," Goodwin said. "That's why I'm so humbled like I am today. Because I know what it's like to have nothing. I know what it's like to be rock bottom."
Goodwin admitted to growing up with the odds stacked against him as an impoverished, African American male, raised in a single-parent home and lacking the same opportunities as his childhood teammates and colleagues. But his mom still did her best to give Goodwin everything she could. That's why he's always had the goal of returning the favor and taking care of his mom when he had the means to do so.
"Surprising my mom and my sister with a house was the biggest thing to date that I've done in my life, aside from getting married to my best friend. It's something that I've always dreamt about," Goodwin said. "Being on section 8 housing, having to move each year – house to house, city to city. There was no stability.
"I wanted to do something special for my mom that she would remember forever and appreciate forever and let her know that she has some sort of security."
Goodwin's heartfelt gift became possible when the receiver signed a well-deserved three-year contract extension with the 49ers back in March. Goodwin earned his new deal following a career year in 2017, where he posted 56 receptions for 962 yards and two touchdowns. His rags to riches story is inspiring in its own right, but Goodwin's constant efforts to pay it forward makes him a player you can't help but root for.
"Scratch dropping a ball in a game. Scratch missing a big block for a touchdown. I know what it's like not to eat at night," Goodwin said. "It's humbling to be in this position and make this money and to do (things) for my family and the people that I care about."
