San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin pulled out all the stops this week to impress the ladies. Not just any ladies, though. Two very important women in his life.
With a new three-year, $20 million contract, the 27-year-old purchased a home for his mother, Tamina, and younger sister Deja, who has cerebral palsy.
He posted the touching video on Instagram, and as you can see, once he removed their blindfolds, the surprise left Tamina speechless before she broke down in tears.
Goodwin’s family serves a big source of motivation for his athletic achievements, which also includes competing in the long jump in the 2012 Olympic Games.
“If Deja wasn’t my sister, I feel like I would still be motivated but not in the way that I am today,” he told ESPN in 2013. “Having a disabled sister, that’s a lot more motivation, especially when she tells you growing up that she wishes she can be out there with the kids playing and she wishes she can be out there running around.”
Doctors said that Deja would likely not live past six months old, but now at 26, she’s surpassing the medical odds.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Goodwin’s big heart. Almost a year ago, he befriended 11-year-old Austin DeMello, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
DeMello was attending a 49ers practice thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and when Goodwin saw that the boy wasn’t feeling well on the sidelines, he ran over to check on him and offer some words of encouragement.
“I’ve got a sister who never walked a day in her life…She’s still smiling, still enjoying life. You can too. It’s going to be alright,” Goodwin said.
The moment was captured by the team’s Hard Knocks-style digital documentary.
“Just know that you got a lot of people that love you & care about you, including the #49ers” – @flashg88dwin
Keep fighting Austin 💪 pic.twitter.com/0OaKVNfK6v
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 25, 2017
Goodwin’s breakout year with the 49ers last season was enough to impress his team. But, what he does off the field is leaving a bigger impression.