Joe gets how some fans bristled a bit hearing Chris Godwin talk multiple times today about how returning to the Bucs was a difficult decision.
Godwin has already banked $80 million in salary as a National Football League player.
So yeah, the average Joes hauling in five figures a year aren’t in Godwin’s league when it comes to agonizing about earnings and thinking about leaving a great Bucs organization that’s dropped a gargantuan fortune in your lap and was ready to do it again.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht today strongly hinted today at Godwin’s re-signing news conference that reports of him leaving a giant contract on the table from another team were accurate. Licht mentioned “generational” money from an unnamed team and expressed gratitude that Godwin stayed home for the Bucs’ offer, which was a three-year, $66 million deal from the Bucs yesterday.
Speaking on WDAE radio, Godwin said “home” was a big factor in him staying in Tampa, but it was still a rough call.
> “You know, it was a very, very tough decision, but I think like at the end of the day I had to lean on my gut and my intuition telling me that this is home,” Godwin said. “You know, me and \[wife\] Mariah, we have planted roots here so it would take a lot to remove me from this situation. And I’m grateful for the Bucs to be able to come to the table they way that they did as well to allow that to be a possibility.”
This is a great reminder that the NFL is a business. Money can even come close to driving the bus for a team-first, dedicated warrior like Godwin.
“I’ve never moved and made decisions solely based off of money,” Godwin added.
Joe is so glad Godwin is back. The Bucs and fans have treated him like a king for years.
And Joe hopes Godwin realizes he truly made the easy decision to stay with a Pro Bowl quarterback, a legendary receiver taking heat off him, a first-class organization and another massive contract.