After more than a decade of doing the NFL’s dirty work, Cowboys special teams ace C.J. Goodwin is calling it a career, closing the book on one of the leagues most reliable and quietly consistent runs. During his ninth annual PEGA foundation All-Star sports camp, Goodwin told Rob Metzger of WTOV9 news that his playing career has come to close.
Goodwin retires after 12 NFL seasons, including an eight-year stretch with the Cowboys where his name became synonymous with special teams excellence. Often overlooked, that role was valued in Dallas where he became a fixture for the team not just for his production, but his leadership and preparation as well.
Former Cowboys special teams ace
Retiring6.27.26 Video – Linsly alum CJ Goodwin retiring after 12 years in the NFL https://t.co/IQaXQB1h5U
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) June 28, 2026
Goodwin, 36, spent the last eight of his 12 season in the NFL with the Cowboys carving out a unique role despite rarely seeing the field on defense. While officially listed as a cornerback, his true impact came in the game’s often overlooked third phase — special teams.
Originally an undrafted free agent in 2014, Goodwin parlayed a unique relationship with Steelers Hall-of-Fame cornerback Mel Blount into a tryout with Pittsburgh.
After multiple attempts, Goodwin latched on with the Falcons in 2016, playing in 14 games, starting once that season. He would spend his 2017 season between two teams (Atlanta, Arizona) before finding his way to Dallas in 2018 where he would find stability and call home for nearly a decade.
In 12 seasons, Goodwin played in 136 games starting once, while recording 94 tackles and forced two fumbles in his career. With the Cowboys, Goodwin appeared on 108 games with 2,211 special teams snaps.
While he may never have been a household name, Goodwin’s impact inside the organization was undeniable and is a reminder that success isn’t aways measured in Pro Bowls or statistics.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 8-year Cowboys team leader retires after 12 NFL seasons
