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Eric Woodyard
DETROIT — On the evening of January 30, 2021, while at his Hidden Hills, California residence, Jared Goff, encircled by intimate companions on his outdoor terrace, got an important phone call.
Goff excused himself, stating, “I need to answer this,” as he moved indoors.
Soon after, the familiar ESPN alert sound resonated on the mobile devices of his friends who remained outside, delivering the momentous news: Goff, having recently concluded his fifth season in the NFL, was being sent from the Los Angeles Rams to the Detroit Lions in exchange for seasoned signal-caller Matthew Stafford. This transaction represented the inaugural direct exchange of two past first overall draft selections in the league’s annals.
Cam Croteau, a boyhood friend of Goff’s present at his house that day, commented, “Back then, their standing… the Lions, hadn’t achieved much prosperity, and that was widely known. I even speculated, ‘He’s essentially being discarded.'” He added, “As soon as [Lions head coach] Dan Campbell contacted him and outlined his plan, Goff committed completely.
From that moment, his mindset shifted to, “Alright, we’re going to fix this situation.” There was no self-pity; instead, it was a determination to “begin the effort.” He became entirely focused within approximately two minutes.”
Before this exchange, Goff’s tenure with the Rams had been inconsistent. Drafted first overall from Cal in 2016, he earned Pro Bowl selections consecutively in 2017 and 2018, guiding Los Angeles to Super Bowl LIII after the 2018 regular season. However, following a subpar showing in their 13-3 Super Bowl defeat against the New England Patriots, the Rams sought a different player for the quarterback role two years subsequently.
Detroit emerged as a trade partner, a team aiming for reconstruction after appointing Campbell as head coach and Brad Holmes as general manager to commence a fresh chapter for the organization. For spearheading this transformation, they selected Goff, with whom Holmes – formerly the Rams’ college scouting director – was familiar from their shared period in Los Angeles.
This collaboration ignited a resurgence in Goff’s professional life; he has since become a central figure in the Lions’ impressive reversal of fortune, concurrently solidifying his position as an elite NFL quarterback.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding his standing, he continues to be among the less publicized celebrities outside of competitive play.
His intimate circle of friends, relatives, and past mentors indicate that Goff’s resurgence in Detroit came as no surprise. It stems from an inherent fortitude and tenacity he has possessed since his early years.
However, Goff’s capabilities extend beyond overcoming challenges. He is also an empathetic leader who arranged a poignant farewell gesture for a veteran Lions security staff member’s retirement, a devoted companion who fosters a sense of kinship among his acquaintances, and, at one stage, an indefatigable high school basketball player whose athletic comparison, according to friends, was akin to “a budget Dennis Rodman.”
As the Lions travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Rams this Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox) – marking Goff’s fourth encounter with his previous squad since the swap – the ramifications will be considerable. The Lions, holding an 8-5 record, commence Week 15 with a 55% probability of reaching the postseason, as calculated by ESPN Analytics. A win elevates these chances to 73%, whereas a defeat reduces them to 42%.
Individuals most familiar with Goff uniformly affirm one characteristic: he consistently confronts challenging situations head-on.
His father, Jerry Goff, a former Major League Baseball catcher, stated, “He’s resilient, truly. This entire change wasn’t suitable for everyone. It was a demanding circumstance.” He added, “It wasn’t simple, and not everyone possesses the capacity to undertake it, which is why we are so proud of his accomplishments across several different organizations, and he demonstrated a similar aptitude in university sports.”
“…For him to elevate this municipality to prominence, he adores Detroit and holds deep affection for its supporters. He relishes his presence here, and it will undeniably hold a permanent, cherished place in his affections.”
Prohibition on Pool Basketball
Never speak of aquatic basketball. Under any circumstances.
“We no longer engage in that activity,” Goff remarked with a grin.
Among Goff and his intimate childhood companions—Robbie Terheyden, Croteau, and Patrick Conroy—it constitutes an unstated convention within their digital communication.
“The level of rivalry and fervor grew to such an extent that we had no choice but to declare we’d discontinue playing it,” Croteau chuckled.
During a scorching summer afternoon in 2010, at the Goff family residence in Novato, California, the group’s competitive drive, then high school adolescents, became overwhelming. Croteau remembers it vividly: Goff’s mother, Nancy, was compelled to intervene from indoors to de-escalate the situation.
“I believe Nancy overheard our commotion,” Croteau recounted. “She emerged and stated, ‘Indeed, you all should likely cease.’ She concurred, essentially.”
Aquatic basketball lacks formal regulations; dribbling is nonexistent. Consequently, aggressive fouls became commonplace, leading, unexpectedly, to excessive tension among the four friends, especially between Goff and Croteau. However, normalcy returned once the heated encounter subsided.
Goff disclosed to ESPN, “We had a major disagreement in the water, and I instructed him, ‘You must depart.'” He added, “[Cam] walked back to his place. We were at my folks’ residence, enjoying water basketball in the backyard. It turned excessively boisterous.”
For as long as Croteau could recall, Goff consistently displayed a competitive streak in all endeavors. Having grown up in the identical locality, their initial acquaintance occurred as fourth-grade colleagues on the St. Anthony’s CYO basketball squad, preceding Croteau’s relocation to Goff’s neighborhood in eighth grade.
Croteau, who played tight end for Boston College, remarked, “We continuously engaged in athletic activities during our youth, so I recognized him because he invariably outperformed me.”
Their camaraderie deepened during their time at Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield, California, where they persisted in athletic pursuits alongside each other, encompassing varsity football and baseball.
Terheyden likewise participated in high school football, whereas Conroy excelled as a basketball standout at Marin Catholic. He joined the University of Nevada, Reno’s basketball team as a non-scholarship player.
“Our group comprised a central circle of friends. However, I would assert he was perpetually the most competitive among us. He is likely the most competitive individual I have ever encountered, and I’ve known numerous competitive personalities,” Croteau commented. “He possesses the knack for enjoyment and for easing a situation through practical jokes.
“Given his strong competitive nature and my own, it’s natural for friends in high school to occasionally clash, which is precisely why our circle of friends, even now, refrains from discussing or participating in pool basketball.”
‘Frugal Man’s Rodman’
Circa 2010, an emerging second-year student named Jared Goff generated considerable discussion, establishing his reputation as an athlete participating in three sports at Marin Catholic.
It was widely understood that his primary athletic pursuits were baseball and football, yet he also performed admirably on the freshman basketball squad.
Nevertheless, during his inaugural season as the boys’ varsity basketball head coach, Mike Saia initially relegated Goff to junior varsity participation for summer league matches.
Saia recounted, “Entering the role, I had just been appointed and hadn’t fully grasped the team dynamics.” He continued, “Then that summer, I attended a junior varsity game, as I had placed him on JV, observed his play, and concluded, ‘This young man ought to join us on the varsity roster.'”
Goff did not possess exceptional proficiency in any single aspect.
Indeed, he dedicated most of his efforts to baseball and football training, thus devoting minimal attention to basketball. Nevertheless, Saia was captivated by his resolve and physical prowess. As a lanky, 6-foot-3, 165-pound individual then, Saia foresaw Goff fulfilling a versatile position, leveraging his court-side grit and inclination for undertaking arduous tasks.
Saia articulated, “He was, in a sense, a low-budget Rodman. Truly, his sole offensive opportunity to handle the ball involved securing a rebound.” He further explained, “We possessed competent ball-handlers, skilled offensive players. Individuals proficient enough for typical basketball responsibilities, but for the tasks that contribute to victory and the less glamorous duties, that’s where Jared contributed and earned playing time.”
Croteau, who commenced playing basketball with Goff from their elementary school days, fully endorses the comparison to Rodman.
“He certainly was. That’s an apt analogy. He had an uncanny ability to pursue the ball,” Croteau stated. “He instinctively positioned himself for rebounds. He played with intensity. However, I’m uncertain if he shares Dennis Rodman’s personal attributes outside of the sport.”
Goff currently draws a greater parallel between himself and Draymond Green, the forward for the Golden State Warriors.
Goff commented, “Rodman and Draymond Green do share similarities. However, I operated as a [power forward]. Scoring was not my primary role.” He continued, “Instead, I excelled defensively, was a proficient rebounder, and served as a valuable component of the squad, yet I unequivocally was not the team’s top scorer.
“My contribution typically involved a modest number of points per game, perhaps reaching ten. A couple of easy baskets, but my essence was entirely that of an energetic, effort-driven player.”
Goff ascended to the role of the seventh or eighth rotation player for a Wolverines squad that concluded the 2010-11 season with a 20-12 record, including an 11-5 standing in conference games, while sporting jersey number 2.
Conroy, his intimate acquaintance, secured the position of the team’s second-highest scorer during that sophomore season, achieving an average of 8.6 points. In contrast, Goff recorded an average of 2.4 points, as per MaxPreps, but placed third on the team for rebounds (4.2) and blocks per contest (0.4), simultaneously registering 1.0 steals across 30 games played in his sole varsity basketball campaign.
Saia remarked, “We likely lacked the analytical refinement back then to consider plus-minus statistics, but I must contend that his plus-minus consistently reflected positively whenever he entered the match.”
Following that year, Saia attempted to convince Goff to resume playing basketball, yet Goff opted to concentrate solely on football, subsequently developing into a four-star prospect and All-American quarterback who committed to play for Cal.
Despite not donning a basketball uniform thereafter, Goff maintained his patronage of the athletic program.
Saia observed, “He transformed into an ardent spectator at the basketball contests during his junior and senior years, vociferously cheering for his comrades.” He continued, “He was highly conspicuous, extremely outspoken, and remained an integral component of the program despite his non-playing status.”
‘We Possess an Exceptional Individual’
Less than a week into his recent appointment, Tony Franklin journeyed to the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, to observe Goff’s concluding high school football match.
Franklin, who had just been brought in as Cal’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was profoundly impressed by Goff’s early display of resilience, even as he frequently endured hits from Madison’s defense during a California state championship competition.
During the course of the game, Franklin telephoned Cal’s head coach, Sonny Dykes.
“We possess an extraordinary talent,” Franklin communicated to Dykes. “This individual embodies that indefinable ‘it’ quality. His performance on the final snap of the game mirrored his intensity on the initial snap. He demonstrated remarkable physical fortitude.”
Marin Catholic ultimately fell to Madison 38-35, concluding Goff’s high school tenure with an overall win-loss record of 39-4 across three varsity campaigns. He was identified as the 34th highest-rated player in his geographical area by ESPN and achieved a national ranking of 20th within his designated position for the 2013 graduating class.
Regarding Goff’s first collegiate season, Franklin remarked, “Occasionally, athletes develop into that role, but with Jared, his secondary school coach was exceptional, his parental guidance was outstanding, and he was equipped for the dreadful team we fielded at Cal in his rookie year, where we finished 1-11.” He continued, “Many individuals could not endure the physical punishment he sustained, as he was repeatedly pummeled, and it was evident during that high school championship match that this person could weather intense pressure.”
Goff achieved the distinction of being the inaugural quarterback in Cal’s history to commence a game as a genuine freshman when he appeared in Week 1 versus Northwestern on August 31, 2013.
This is a significant accomplishment, given that Cal has cultivated several distinguished quarterbacks who became prominent draft selections, among them four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers (24th pick in 2005), Steve Bartkowski (first overall in 1975), Craig Morton (fifth in 1965), Rich Campbell (sixth in 1981), and Kyle Boller (19th in 2003).
In Week 3, an unranked Cal squad endured a 52-34 home defeat to the fourth-ranked Ohio State team, during which Goff completed 31 of 53 passes for 371 yards. He additionally delivered three scoring passes and one interception, yet he did not falter under pressure, a quality that resonated with Dykes.
Dykes recalled, “Ohio State featured Joey Bosa; I mean, this was an authentic Ohio State team. And he begins, we are utterly outmatched, he sustains an innumerable amount of hits throughout the contest and remained completely unfazed, never hesitating.” He continued, “Approximately halfway through the third period, I distinctively recall pondering, ‘Goodness, this individual persistently maintains his position, continues to hurl the football, repeatedly gets leveled, and immediately regains his footing.’ And that encapsulates his very nature.”
Goff would mature significantly from that challenging 1-11 season. He concluded his sophomore year in 2014 with a 5-7 record, followed by an 8-5 finish as a junior in 2015, thereby concluding a collegiate career during which he established 26 institutional benchmarks – notably career passing yardage (12,220) and touchdown passes (96) – prior to being chosen as the first overall selection by the Rams in 2016. Nevertheless, these arduous defeats, especially the one against Ohio State, contributed to forging his enduring spirit.
Goff recounted, “We ultimately secured only a single victory that year, so one can envision our predicament, but [Ohio State linebacker] Ryan Shazier was the most exceptional football player I have ever witnessed in my existence during that game, and my thought was, ‘Good heavens!'” He elaborated, “And while they defeated us, we did manage to score against them, leading us to believe, offensively, ‘If that represents a top-5 team nationwide, we are capable of scoring on any opponent.'”`
“Much of the game involved taking hits, recovering, and we managed to register a few touchdowns in the latter stages, which demonstrated a certain degree of fortitude, but it was unquestionably a psychological win, given the severity of our defeat.”
‘Once You’re Allied with Jared, You’re Firmly Connected’
During his exclusive gathering in downtown Detroit, hosted with Jared Jewelers, an visibly moved Goff struggled to hold back tears while presenting an unexpected, significant gift to an honored attendee.
Elton Moore, the Detroit Lions’ enduring director of security, was merely weeks from his retirement when Goff elected to bestow an unforeseen tribute upon him.
Forty-eight hours before Detroit’s inaugural NFL draft in April 2024, Goff invited Moore to the platform at The Detroit Club, an exclusive social venue, to present him with a costly Breitling watch as a gesture of gratitude following his thirteen years of service with the Lions.
Goff recounted to ESPN, “Upon my initial arrival, he may have been the very first individual I encountered after disembarking the aircraft, transporting me to the arena.” He added, “His faith in me, and his verbal expression of that belief to me, even before he was truly obligated or had fully appraised my identity, holds immense significance.”
“He’s an individual who has witnessed everything, has served here for an extended period without experiencing substantial success, and for him to place his trust in me in numerous capacities and to convey that sentiment to me, signifies a great deal.”
For Moore, the act carried deep personal weight, especially with his relatives and companions present.
Elton Moore, longtime #Lions Director of Security, who is retiring in May also gets honored by Jared Goff during the private event with a “retirement” gift by Jared Jewelry and Goff. Goff gets emotional when bringing him on the stage. pic.twitter.com/rB6xMIoBHB
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) April 23, 2024
Moore declared, “I possessed absolutely no foreknowledge of my involvement in this. None whatsoever.” He continued, “I consistently informed everyone I desired nothing, yet, indeed, that turned out to be quite unanticipated.”
To Goff, fidelity is paramount. Consequently, it was crucial to pay homage to an individual he held in high esteem merely months after aiding the Lions in securing their inaugural NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991.
Moreover, Goff guided the Lions to achieve two postseason triumphs within a single playoff run, an accomplishment not seen since 1957, concurrently securing their initial division championship in over thirty years, precisely as Moore departed, coinciding with the franchise’s initiation of a fresh epoch for Detroit football.
Joey Mahalic, a friend of Goff’s and former backup quarterback at Cal, affirmed, “You will not encounter an individual possessing Jared’s level of faithfulness. He holds profound affection for his associates. He genuinely and earnestly concerns himself with the individuals within his sphere of influence.” He added, “And I believe this quality resonates within the team, fostering a connection among all players with Jared because he instills in others a sense of being part of his own kin.
“Once you establish a bond with Jared, you are firmly established within his circle, and he will exert any effort necessary to uphold that companionship and to assist you in any capacity he can. He is simply that type of person. I attribute that characteristic to his upbringing by his parents.”
