Najee Goode
Najee Goode is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played with the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won Super Bowl LII.
Early life
Goode attended Benedictine High School where he lettered in football and track & field. In football, he was a dual-threat quarterback as well as a linebacker. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Cuyahoga County East-West high school All-star game. In track & field, he won the Division II state championship in the discus throw with a school record of 172’1".He then attended West Virginia University where he majored in industrial engineering. While at West Virginia, in 2011, he tied for fourth on the single season list for tackles-for-loss with 15.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Goode took part in their rookie mini-camp. On May 14, 2012, Buccaneers.com announced Goode had signed a four-year deal to become an official member of their NFL roster, the same day as college roommate, and Buccaneers teammate Keith Tandy signed his rookie deal.He was released on September 1, 2013, when the Buccaneers trimmed their roster to 53 players.
Philadelphia Eagles
Goode was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 2, 2013. On October 27, 2013, against the New York Giants, Goode scored his first career touchdown when a snap went over Giants punter Steve Weatherford's head which Goode recovered and ran two yards for the score.On September 9, 2014, he was placed on injured reserve after injuring his pectoral muscle in the season opening win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Goode was released by the Eagles on September 5, 2015, for final roster cuts. He was re-signed on September 22. On December 6, 2015, Goode scored his second career touchdown on a blocked punt by Chris Maragos. The Eagles won over the New England Patriots, 35–28.
In February 2016 he re-signed with the Eagles. On September 3, 2016, Goode was released by the Eagles during final cuts. On September 10, 2016, he was re-signed by the Eagles.
On March 8, 2017, Goode signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles. Goode finished the 2017 season with 22 tackles and won Super Bowl LII when the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33. He had two tackles in the game.
Indianapolis Colts (first stint)
On April 4, 2018, Goode signed with the Indianapolis Colts.Jacksonville Jaguars
On May 1, 2019, Goode signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in 10 games before being placed on injured reserve on November 26, 2019. He finished the season with a career-high 27 tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed.Indianapolis Colts (second stint)
On October 8, 2020, Goode was signed to the Colts practice squad. He was released on October 27.Personal life
He is the son of Fatimah and John Goode. Goode had a daughter born in June 2016.He was married on July 6, 2019 on Jekyll Island, Georgia