“This is a terrible loss for our football family and our thoughts and prayers are with the Goddard family,” Marshall University Head Football Coach Mark Snyder said.

Goddard ranks among the top players in Marshall University football history. He earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sports and College Football News and earned second-team accolades from Walter Camp and the Associated Press following a spectacular senior season in 2004. Goddard led the nation with 16 sacks and 28 tackles for loss en route to being named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He also became the first finalist for the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy from a non-BCS automatic qualifiying conference following that season. The Nagurski is presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the top defensive player in all of college football.

Goddard, 27, was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2005 and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts following his collegiate career. He most recently spent a short stint with the Arena Football League’s Colorado Crush.