Fresh Respect For Chris Godwin
April 9th, 2025
Nobody at One Buc Palace is worried about Chris Godwin recovering from a major injury.
It’s rather stunning on the surface. Team Glazer opened the vault to re-sign Godwin and Bucs officials are quick to say Godwin is well worth the wager — on him coming back strong and on-time from surgery following a gruesome dislocated ankle in October.
There’s complete faith in Godwin at 29 years old after a second major injury.
It comes back to the man.
Fellow Bucs receiver Sterling Shepard hit that subject this week. The 10-year veteran seems in awe of Godwin after arriving in Tampa last June.
“To see the way that Chris works every day, I don’t think anybody really respects the way that man approaches every single practice, every single day,” Shepard told the Talkin’ Ball podcast. “He don’t miss. Mike [Evans] is going to take some practices off, which he’s earned the right to do so. But that man Chris, he is out there every single day. He’s one of the sweatiest dudes I know. That boy, hey, he’ll switch them cleats out on you, switch the gloves out mid-practice, and he’s right back to work, dawg. I love playing with [him].”
Shepard also poked a little fun at Evans for asking out of games every time he makes a catch (Shepard’s words, not Joe’s). Godwin, he’s all about the constant grind, Shepard said.
Joe’s got a ton of faith in Godwin, too. But Joe also will be the first to cut Godwin slack. It’s very reasonable to think he won’t be the same player that dominated the NFL through the first seven weeks of last season.
April 9th, 2025 at 9:52 am
“But Joe also will be the first to cut Godwin slack.”
Great point and so I’ll be the second in line to cut some slack.
It’s not just physical! After a horrible injury it takes a while for the ole brain to really trust the repair. It mind be in the mind but it’s still real and completely understandable.
One of our more gifted researchers can help me by pointing out how many games Chris needed to truly come back to the form he displayed last season after his first injury. That might give us a preview of what to expect.
April 9th, 2025 at 10:05 am
Joe, sometimes we need you to tell us how hard a guy is working. There’s so much that we don’t get to see. Not so with Godwin. This man’s passion is on his sleeve and apparently seeps into his gloves and cleats as well.
How much fun to watch a true professional at work. Like David, you can just tell how much of a pro Godwin is.
April 9th, 2025 at 10:49 am
He will miss the first 8 games of the season. He can be bench buddies with Jihaad Campbell!
April 9th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Every team needs that one player (on offense and defense) that leads by example. You can’t place enough value on how that player is looked up to by their peers and how it effects their play. Almost like kids watching their dad work hard every day it is bound to rub off a little.
April 9th, 2025 at 11:14 am
“One of the sweatiest dudes I know” lol I’m gonna remember that.
April 9th, 2025 at 11:54 am
Godwin is a fighter. He will be rehabbed and ready to go a few weeks in. Most of us will never forget how his injury happened. He deserves to be healthy and back on the field.
April 9th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
We have been blessed with perhaps the best receiver combo of all time. I will wear both jerseys with pride forever
April 9th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
We have quality human beings on this roster. Hats off to Jason and to Todd.
April 9th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
That’s some true growth right there… did Aqualung just pay Bowles a compliment? I’m proud of you man. Your fan badge is shing bright
April 9th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Yeah the mental aspect of it is when it click’s in that you’re ok then that’s it. I think he may be ready sooner than his last injury because it happened 4 or 5 games in as opposed to close to the end of the season.
April 9th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
@aqualung
What tha? Are you ok buddy?
✌🏼😎🤣
April 9th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
He doesn’t need to be the same guy from weeks 1-7 to have a major impact for us. He will block and give us his reliable chain moving hands.
Is Jeff secretly Cam Jordan? I can’t imagine visiting a site and spending time posting often while being negative about everything. Put this guy on a watchlist.
April 9th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
For some people some attention is better than none. (Yeah, I’m guilty, too.)
April 9th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Just not sure about Godwin, did the Bucs do the Right thing sure. But did they do the smartest thing?
We will see..
April 10th, 2025 at 12:32 am
Of course he’s one of the sweetest guys he knows!
He’s a Pisces!
Like Jesus. We are the kings of Love!
It’s why GMC was too sweet!
Go Bucs!
April 10th, 2025 at 3:37 am
But what is the medical staff saying about when he will be on the field any updates?
April 10th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Love Chris Godwin, but when he came back from the knee injury, he wasn’t the same player for most of the season. This injury was more severe. I think it will take him at least half the season to get back to form.