Charaun Jareé Goodwin Bio
Charaun Jareé Goodwin is an American former professional football cornerback who spent 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL draft and went on to play for seven NFL teams throughout his career. Goodwin became best known for his exceptional work on special teams, particularly during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, where he established franchise records and became a reliable veteran presence. He officially announced his retirement from professional football on June 28, 2026, concluding a distinguished career that began in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Early Life and Background
Charaun Jareé Goodwin was born on February 4, 1990, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Yvette Goodwin-Rowe and Perry Galloway Jr. He attended The Linsly School in Wheeling, where he did not begin playing football until his senior year of high school. Despite his late start, Goodwin earned a starting position at wide receiver during his final season. In addition to football, he competed in track and basketball, demonstrating his athletic versatility from an early age.
Goodwin’s father, Perry Galloway Jr., played a significant role in his athletic development and would later influence his football career. After graduating from high school, Goodwin chose to pursue basketball at the collegiate level, attending Bethany College where he played for the Bison for two seasons before transferring. His journey to professional football would come through an unexpected path involving his father’s encouragement and a fateful intramural basketball game.
Path to Professional Football
Following his departure from Bethany College, Goodwin enrolled at Fairmont State University for his junior year. During an intramural basketball game against the school’s football staff, his performance caught the attention of the coaching personnel. Encouraged by his father and his college roommate, future NFL player Dewey McDonald, Goodwin decided to try out for the Fighting Falcons football team. He walked on to the team and quickly demonstrated his athletic ability as a wide receiver.
Goodwin’s first season at Fairmont State proved successful enough to earn him a scholarship for the following year. He finished the 2012 season third on the team with 24 receptions for 440 receiving yards and led the team with 18.3 yards per catch while scoring 4 touchdowns. When head coach Mike Lopez departed Fairmont State for California University of Pennsylvania, Goodwin transferred there to continue playing under his former coach. At Cal U, he primarily contributed on special teams, recording 11 receptions for 126 yards and 1 touchdown in his senior season.
Charaun Jareé Goodwin Career
Pittsburgh Steelers (2014–2015)
After completing his collegiate career at Division II schools, Goodwin entered the 2014 NFL draft as a relatively unknown prospect. Although he was not invited to the official NFL Combine, he performed well at a pre-draft combine held by the Detroit Lions. His opportunity came through former Steelers defensive back Mel Blount, who had known Goodwin through their connection to the same high school and had employed him as a farmhand for seven years. Blount urged the Steelers to give Goodwin a chance, leading to a tryout.
On June 4, 2014, Goodwin signed an undrafted rookie free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released during final roster cuts in August but was added to the practice squad five days later. He signed a reserve/futures contract with Pittsburgh in January 2015 before being waived later that year.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2015–2017)
Goodwin was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on November 3, 2015, and signed a reserve/futures contract the following January. During the 2016 training camp, he made a pivotal career decision by converting from wide receiver to cornerback. The transition showcased his adaptability and football intelligence. In his first full season as a defensive player, he appeared in 14 games with one start, recording 7 defensive tackles, 2 passes defensed, and 10 special teams tackles.
Goodwin and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, facing the New England Patriots in a memorable game that ended in a 34-28 overtime defeat. He contributed 2 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle in the Super Bowl. In 2017, he played in 12 games with 5 defensive tackles and 3 special teams tackles before being waived in December.
Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals (2017–2018)
Following his release from Atlanta, Goodwin was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on December 15, 2017. He appeared in the final two games of the season with one special teams tackle. He was released by the Cardinals in May 2018 and immediately claimed by the New York Giants, where he spent two weeks before being waived again. The San Francisco 49ers claimed him the following day, but he was waived before the season began. On August 4, 2018, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, who placed him on their practice squad after waiving him during final roster cuts.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2018–2025)
On October 9, 2018, Goodwin was signed by the Dallas Cowboys from the Bengals practice squad. He was placed on injured reserve later that month after undergoing surgery for a broken forearm, but was activated in December to contribute on special teams. In 2019, he appeared in all 16 games for the first time in his career and became a key contributor on special teams, leading the team with 10 special teams tackles while adding 2 defensive tackles.
During the 2020 season, Goodwin recovered an onside kick against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 2, setting up the game-winning field goal in the improbable 40-39 comeback victory. The play became known as the “watermelon kick.” On March 19, 2021, he signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys and appeared in all 17 games, recording 10 special teams tackles. He became the first player in Cowboys franchise history to lead the team in special teams tackles for three consecutive seasons since the statistic began being tracked in 1988.
Goodwin continued his tenure with the Cowboys through multiple re-signings in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He was placed on injured reserve in October 2023 due to a pectoral injury. He re-signed with the team in March 2024 and again in March 2025 before being released during final roster cuts and re-signed to the active roster in August 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goodwin’s game was built around exceptional special teams play and versatility. His transition from wide receiver to cornerback demonstrated his football IQ and adaptability. He excelled as a gunner on special teams coverage units, where his speed and tackling ability allowed him to make consistent contributions. His length at 6-foot-3 provided matchup advantages against larger receivers, and his experience across multiple NFL organizations demonstrated his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and locker room environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Goodwin’s career featured several memorable moments, including his participation in Super Bowl LI with the Falcons and his franchise-record-setting three consecutive seasons leading the Cowboys in special teams tackles. The “watermelon kick” recovery against Atlanta in 2020 became one of the signature plays of his career, coming in a crucial comeback victory. His journey from an undrafted free agent without any immediate interest to a 12-year NFL veteran exemplified his perseverance and adaptability.
Charaun Jareé Goodwin Career Statistics
Throughout his 12 NFL seasons, Goodwin appeared in 94 career games with limited defensive appearances but consistent special teams contributions. His career totals include 94 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 pass deflections.
NFL Statistics
Goodwin’s primary value came from his special teams play, where he accumulated tackle totals that led to his franchise record with the Cowboys. His consistent availability and reliability on coverage units made him a valuable veteran presence throughout his career. He appeared in multiple playoff games during his tenure, including Super Bowl LI.
Special Teams Excellence
Goodwin’s defining achievement was his special teams production with the Dallas Cowboys. He became the first player in franchise history to lead the team in special teams tackles for three consecutive seasons. His 10 special teams tackles in 2021 highlighted his continued effectiveness as one of the league’s more reliable special teamers.
Charaun Jareé Goodwin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Goodwin was born to Yvette Goodwin-Rowe and Perry Galloway Jr. in Wheeling, West Virginia. His father, Perry Galloway Jr., played a significant role in encouraging his son’s football career, urging him to try out for the Fairmont State football team after his departure from the basketball program. Following his father’s passing, Goodwin founded the PeGa Foundation (Perry Galloway Jr. Foundation) as a nonprofit mentoring organization based in Wheeling to honor his late father’s legacy and continue his mentorship work in the community.
Personal Life
Goodwin has a daughter. He has dedicated significant time away from football to mentoring youth through his PeGa Foundation, volunteering at schools and youth groups across the country. His commitment to community service and youth development reflects the values instilled in him by his father throughout his upbringing in Wheeling.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Goodwin continued his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys following his re-signing in March. After being released during final roster cuts, he was re-signed to the active roster in August, demonstrating the organization’s continued confidence in his special teams abilities. The Cowboys relied on his veteran experience and leadership in their coverage units as they navigated the regular season.
Goodwin’s presence provided stability in the special teams rotation, where his understanding of the scheme and technique allowed him to contribute immediately upon his return to the active roster. His career longevity and consistent performance made him a respected figure within the Cowboys locker room and coaching staff throughout the season.