SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Kyle Shanahan would have understood if Marquise Goodwin didn’t want to play against the Giants.
Shanahan, who’s been coaching in the NFL for 14 seasons, has seen players lose loved ones in days leading up to games and knows the mental weight it can carry. The 49ers coach was ready to let his speedy receiver take time with his wife after she prematurely gave birth Sunday to their son, whom Goodwin said died of complications.
But Goodwin decided to play, helping San Francisco get its first win of the season. He had an 83-yard touchdown reception and threw a key block on another big scoring play, when he laid out a defensive back and allowed Garrett Celek to scamper into the end zone.
Goodwin later announced his family’s loss on social media.
“By the time I was able to talk to Marquise, he was hurting but he was adamant he wanted to play,” Shanahan said Monday. “For a guy to go through that, to have those emotions, to go the whole night before and really not sleeping very much and come out there and have some very pivotal plays in that game, and make a huge difference, it says a lot about the guy. Regardless of whether he played good or bad, the fact that he was out there and trying his hardest and trying to help was the most important.”
Shanahan said he first knew about the situation Saturday morning, when Goodwin told him that his wife, Morgan, was experiencing complications with the pregnancy. Shanahan allowed Goodwin to be with her Saturday night and then heard about the news Sunday morning.
“He was struggling with it for obvious reasons and he decided to play, which we were very grateful for,” Shanahan said. “He did a hell of a job for his wife yesterday, being there for her and helped out his family from that aspect. And also helped out his family here too. I think he helped out every side and was pretty impressive yesterday.”
Goodwin was clearly emotional while scoring the long touchdown Sunday. He blew a kiss toward the sky as he crossed the goal line before falling to his knees in the end zone. Teammates on the field, and some from the sideline, ran to lift him back to his feet and show support.
On Celek’s touchdown catch, Goodwin’s block of an incoming defensive back knocked the wind out of him and he had to be tended to by trainers.
“I thought he was hurt until I saw him smiling on the ground trying to breathe. But it was pretty neat and (I was) very happy for him. And I think you guys could see the whole team was too,” Shanahan said.
Goodwin left the locker room Sunday without speaking to reporters to be with his family, the team said, before the news later broke hours after the game.
NOTES: Shanahan said S Adrian Colbert fractured his thumb early in the game Sunday and might require surgery. The 49ers next play Nov. 26 against the Seahawks following their bye week, and Colbert’s status is unknown. … San Francisco released defensive lineman Tony McDaniel Monday, presumably to open a roster spot for Tank Carradine (ankle) to return from injured reserve. Carradine is eligible to play against Seattle.
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