Buccaneers Announce New Decision From Chris Godwin After Turning Down Patriots

When the Buccaneers‘ season ended in Detroit last January, Chris Godwin was back home just ten days later—this time, not to train or rest, but to say goodbye. His father, Rod Godwin Sr., passed away after a battle with cancer, and the timing hit like a freight train. The playoffs faded fast. Everything football-related did. What followed wasn’t an offseason—it was a stretch of deep loss and reflection.

He called him “Rifle.” Not Dad. Not Pops. Just Rifle. The man who’d blast Sinatra one minute and shout “HALF MAN, HALF MONSTER, THE MANSTER!” at all his games the next, like he was coaching a pro wrestler, not a kid with shoulder pads too big for him. But behind all that noise was a father who showed up for everything, nurtured every goal, and believed in Chris before anyone else did. That note? It was gratitude, grief, and a legacy wrapped into one.

And now, ahead of Father’s Day, Chris Godwin decided to honor his dad in a way that will honor him in every game, and every time he walks to the gridiron. The Buccaneers recently announced that the veteran wide receiver has changed the name on his back from Chris Godwin to Chris Godwin Jr., to honor his father, Rod Christopher Godwin Sr. Godwin penned down an emotional note, shared by the Tampa Bay team on social media.

“As a kid I enjoyed an amazing relationship with my dad, Rod Christopher Godwin, Sr..,” Godwin wrote in his note. “From youth football through high school, I always knew that he was there because I would hear him yelling in support for his son. He instilled in me early that I could achieve anything I wanted if I worked hard enough and treated people with respect. I always appreciated and valued the immeasurable impact he had on my life, and I made sure to let him know that every day, not just on Father’s Day. I lost my Pops in January of 2024, and Father’s Day last year was a time of reflection and introspection.”

Godwin Sr. passed away on December 31, 2024, and the veteran wideout took to Instagram to mourn the loss of his dad. The wideout shared a few pictures of himself along with his dad, with the first being from the day he was born. Godwin shared several anecdotes from his father, whether spending time with him in the car listening to either sports talk radio or Frank Sinatra, or the dreams that Godwin Sr. nurtured in his son’s life.

But ahead of this Father’s Day, the receiver’s life took a sudden turn as he will now celebrate the special day as a father of his son, Ace. “This year, Father’s Day represents a full circle moment in my life journey as I get to celebrate being a first-time dad with my son, Ace,” Godwin added. “Fatherhood has already been an unbelievable experience and has changed me in so many ways. I can only hope that Ace feels the same way about me as I do about my dad.”

Chris and his wife, Mariah DelPercio, welcomed their son on January 2, 2025. They named him Ace Kahlo Godwin. Once a proud son, Chris Godwin is now stepping into fatherhood himself, hoping his own son will one day look at him with the same love and admiration he had for his dad. “As a professional athlete, you are always recognized for the name of the front of your jersey, but I also play for the name that’s printed on the back,” Godwin continued.

“That’s why I’ve chosen to add ‘Jr.’ to my name in honor of the man who gave so unselfishly of himself to others and helped mold into who I am today. Love you, Pops!” Chris is returning after a season-ending injury that he acquired in week 7 of the 2024 season against the Baltimore Ravens. And let’s just say, his next season has just become even memorable.

Chris Godwin chose the Bucs over the Patriots

It won’t be wrong to say that Chris Godwin was at his peak entering week 7 of the 2024 season. The wideout has already caught 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. But he went down against the Ravens with a dislocated ankle. And now? Well, everyone’s waiting for his return ahead of the week 1 showdown in September.

But what makes his comeback even more interesting is that the 29-year-old wideout is coming after rejecting the Patriots‘ offer. Yep, you read that right. Godwin rejected New England’s $30 million per year deal. Why? To stay loyal to the Bucs and to play alongside his teammate Mike Evans.”No matter who’s throwing us the ball, playing alongside Mike is special,” he said.

“Years from now, when we’re both done playing, we’ll look back and realize how unique this was. That kind of chemistry doesn’t come around often.” Following a season-ending injury, everyone is now monitoring Godwin’s recovery timeline, given that Tampa Bay is relying heavily on its top wideout. As per ESPN’s Jenna Laine, “General manager Jason Licht has said he expects Godwin to be ready for Week 1 but hasn’t gone into detail beyond that.”

But head coach Todd Bowles didn’t shy away from providing clarity on his wideout’s return. “He’s coming around,” Bowles said. “We’ll see more when we get to training camp. We’re hopeful for Week 1. Nothing has changed. If anybody can come back and play, it’s going to be Chris.” All in all, Chris Godwin is now all set to start his 2025 campaign after ankle recovery and with a special name on his back.