Marquise Goodwin

“Just because something that you wanted your whole life didn't quite work out as you planned it to - a lot of the times it's not supposed to work out how you want it to - it will grow you as a person and make you better.”

“I just believe in helping other people.”

“I knew when I met Morgan that she was the perfect girl because she was in college, she was an athlete and we had the same morals and beliefs and I knew that she would be a great mom.”

“I like track and field for the simple reason that I determine my own outcome. I don't rely on my coach or the president or the CEO making a decision. I'm kind of like the CEO of my own corporation.”

“As long as I have the respect and understanding of my teammates, that's all that matters.”

“I always dreamed of doing this, being able to do track and field and the NFL at the same time.”

“I don't want to bring my personal issues to the field during game time. I don't want to take focus from anybody else.”

“After choosing football so many times, I feel like I'm inclined to make the right decision by finally choosing my family first, and that's real talk.”

“Dealing with injuries each year, it's kind of like a given that it'll happen. You've just got to push through it.”

“I can't dwell on something that has nothing to do with football at all - it will hold me back.”

“I really don't focus on the competition at all. Like even on the football field it's me versus me.”

“When the ball is in the air, my job is to catch it, no matter where it's at, no matter how it is, no matter how difficult or how easy, you've just got to make it.”

“My father was never really a big part of my life, he ended up passing away a few years ago, my biological father. And the guy I consider my dad, he was incarcerated for a crime he didn't even commit, which is part of the reason I protest.”

“I'm always hesitant to make any serious moves because you never know how the N.F.L. will treat you, you know?”

“I have a lot of things going for me, I try to be a well-rounded role model.”

“I always knew one day fatherhood would be great, I just didn't think it would be this great.”

“I went and played football so I can support my family like I wanted to. Track has been my real dream, to be an Olympic champion and God gave me another opportunity.”

“I know I'm a dog. I'm a beast especially when it comes to long jump.”

“If Deja wasn't my sister, I feel like I would still be motivated but not in the way that I am today. Having a disabled sister, that's a lot more motivation, especially when she tells you growing up that she wishes she can be out there with the kids playing and she wishes she can be out there running around.”

“I told myself at some point that I've got to hold it down for my family. I can't let work and the check and the money dictate decisions that I truly want to make.”