New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. did more than have an amazing game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. The wide receiver also put a smile on the face of a very special fan.
Beckham, 26, is known for his dance skills and putting on a show during pregame warm-ups. Before the game, his longtime friend and 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin asked Beckham to dance with his sister, Deja.
The superstar Giants wide receiver granted the request and proceeded to have a dance-off to Drake’s “In My Feelings” with the young woman who has cerebral palsy.
https://twitter.com/marquisegoodwin/status/1062377080824811520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1062377080824811520&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnfl%2Fnews%2Fheres-what-odell-beckham-did-for-marquise-goodwins-sister-that-made-her-whole-year%2F
Despite the game ending in a 49ers loss, Goodwin said the moment with Beckham “made [his] sister Deja’s whole year.”
After the game, Beckham gave props to Goodwin for always overcoming struggles. Last year, hours before their teams’ face-off, the 49er lost his infant son to a stillbirth, but Goodwin still played the game.
“‘Quise has been like a brother to me, and if you know him, you know he has a very special story,” Beckham said according to northjersey.com. “He’s just been through a lot of adversity, and he’s kept fighting, and he’s a guy I’ll be working out in the offseason, trying to get as fast as him.”
Beckham and Goodwin exchanged jerseys after the game.
@marquisegoodwin x @obj pic.twitter.com/Qo0fTrqCqu
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 13, 2018
According to CBS Sports, Deja, 27, is 10 months younger than Goodwin and is legally blind with minimal control over her muscles. Their mother, Tamina, was told her daughter would not live longer than six months after being born three months premature.
As children, the brother-sister duo was inseparable. Before his rookie season, Goodwin dedicated his professional career to Deja, whom he said was an influence on his drive.
“She inspires me to do everything. So, yes, I dedicate it to her,” he told ESPN.com. “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.”
Earlier this year, Goodwin purchased a new home for his mom and sister. He shared an emotional video capturing the moment on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk3EUQNDQmw/?utm_source=ig_embed
“All the obstacles WE have overcome,” Goodwin captioned the clip. “Man…I love you so much mama… thank you for EVERYTHING! Especially blessing me with a sis like my Deja!!”
