NFL Wide Receiver Goodwin Takes Silver At Pan Am Long Jump Event

Marquise Goodwin, a wide receiver for the NFL's Buffalo Bills, gave a good account of himself in another sport by winning the silver medal in the men’s long jump of the 2015 Pan American Games, in Toronto.

The 24-year-old Goodwin, who will soon start his third NFL season, won his first medal in an international competition representing the United States.

The dual-sport athlete admitted that he did not have enough training for this particular competition,but he said that winning the silver medal was a satisfying feat. He added that he has always dreamed of playing two sports and was proud of representing both the NFL and his country at this level.

Goodwin topped the preliminary round, jumping 8.05 meters in the first qualifier on Tuesday. He did even better in the medal round, jumping 8.27 meters to grab the silver medal behind American Jeffery Henderson, who jumped 8.54 meters to cop the gold medal. Emiliano Lasa of Uruguay placed third with 8.17 meters. In a two-year career in the NFL, the wide receiver has struggled with injuries.

In 22 regular-season games in the NFL, he has accumulated 325 receiving yards on 18 receptions with three touchdowns. Goodwin was drafted by the Bills in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft; he was the 78th overall selection.

Goodwin competed in the long jump event from an early age and was a two-time champion with the University of Texas in the NCAA. He competed at the 2012 London Olympics, where he finished 10th overall and registered a career-best jump of 8.33 meters. Goodwin also placed first at the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships and second at the 2011 Summer Universiade.