Eagles' Marquise Goodwin responds to fans calling him ‘stupid' for opting out

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Eagles receiver Marquise Goodwin said this week that football fans are calling him "stupid" for opting out of the 2020 season.

https://twitter.com/marquisegoodwin/status/1288574644195336192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

On Wednesday, he tweeted: "I've gotten so many messages and @'s from 'concerned' fans telling me how stupid I am and that this COVID-19 isn't that serious… I bet my bank account that there are 150k dead people that would argue different. #CarryOn."

Goodwin, who the Eagles acquired in a draft-day trade from the 49ers, announced Tuesday that he would sit out the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns.

In an emotional video posted on YouTube, Goodwin explained his decision and said he deeply regrets that when he and his wife Morgan lost their prematurely born son in November 2017 and then lost their unborn twin sons in November  2018 he wasn’t with her because he was with the 49ers for football games.

"I felt like I should be at home helping my best friend get past the grief," he said.

Goodwin and his wife did have a baby girl, Marae, a year and a half ago, and as the video shows a close-up of the baby's face, he says, "This right here is my reason. She's the reason I'm opting out for the season. After choosing football so many times, I feel like I'm inclined to make the right decision by finally choosing my family first, and that's real talk. … I won't take the chance of experiencing another loss because of my selfish decision-making. I can't do it. It's not something I can live with."

Goodwin, 29, said he plans to play again when it's safe. The Eagles maintain his rights, and his contract rolls over into next year. He'll most likely get a $150,000 stipend for 2020, although it's possible he could get the $350,000 high-risk stipend.

Goodwin has 140 catches for 2,323 yards and 13 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Bills and 49ers. 

Goodwin was an Olympic long jumper in 2012. His wife, Morgan Goodwin-Snow, was a two-time Big 12 champion in the hurdles for Texas.

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