Lincoln head football coach Robert Hampton is not like your typical gridiron mentor. He uses music references when talking about football and checks the astrological signs of his players on a regular basis. He’s definitely one of a kind.
Over the five years that Hampton has guided the Lincoln football program, he’s also had a propensity to give his players unique nicknames.
No one has received more monikers than current senior Deshawn Goodwin. The Lions’ resident jack-of-all-trades has about as many nicknames as he has positions on the field.
Hampton has labeled Goodwin as “Slash,” “Showtime” and “Showbiz.” They are all names that Goodwin embraces.
But lately, Hampton has taken to calling Goodwin “Phats,” because in Hampton’s eyes, Goodwin is the team’s bartender, the guy to go to tell your problems and the one to solve those issues.
“I call him ‘Phats’ because he’s cool,” Hampton said. “If I’m going bananas, he’s the one who calms everyone down. He’s the cool guy you want to have. He settles everyone down. He’s a peacemaker. He’ll tell you a few jokes. I really like the guy.”
“He calls me the team bartender,” Goodwin said. “I really don’t know what that means, but I’ll take it.”
During the course of the season, Goodwin has lined up at running back, wide receiver and quarterback on offense. He’s been a linebacker and defensive back on defense. He’s been a long snapper on punts, as well as served as the punter – obviously not at the same time. He’s returned punts and kickoffs.
“He’s just a special athlete,” Hampton said of the 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior. “Anything I ask of the kid, he’s going to do it.”
Last Saturday, the Lions were battling Dayton Regional in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I semifinals, when starting quarterback Ronald Butler went down with an ankle injury.
Without hesitation, Hampton called on his boy “Phats” to lead the way.
“Goodwin knows how to the run the offense and with his personality, he’s never too hot or too cold,” Hampton said. “That’s why he’s so valuable. He can come in and be a pretty good option quarterback if he has to. He runs the offense well.”
“He had me practicing at quarterback all week, just in case something happened to Ronald,” Goodwin said. “I was ready. I knew that I had to be the go-to guy. I had no fear about it. I just had to lead my team.”
Goodwin wasted little time taking control and doing his job as a senior leader. He rushed the ball for 86 yards and scored a touchdown, adding to the 35-yard touchdown pass he caught from Butler earlier in the game.
Goodwin’s alert leadership enabled Lincoln to come away with a solid 42-14 victory over Dayton, punching the school’s ticket to its first state championship appearance since winning the North 1, Group III title in 1981.
The Lions are also the last Hudson County team still standing, after St. Peter’s Prep, North Bergen, St. Anthony and Union City all lost their respective playoff games last weekend.
Goodwin will lead the Lions against New Providence at the New Meadowlands Stadium for the Group I crown on Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m.
For his efforts, Goodwin has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
“He’s an unsung hero,” Hampton said of Goodwin, who becomes the third Lincoln player to earn Athlete of the Week honors this fall, joining teammates Butler and running back Ty Stevens. “He’s so valuable because of all the things he can do. And his teammates love him. They respect who he is in the locker room. He keeps everyone together.”
Goodwin said that he doesn’t mind handling all the different roles, as long as it means it helps the Lions to win. In fact, the Lions have lost two games this season to St. Anthony and North Bergen and Goodwin did not play in those two games due to injury.
“I really do enjoy moving around and playing different roles,” Goodwin said. “I’m able to give different looks. Teams don’t know how to play us if I’m moving around. I try to play every position well. Everything is pretty equal to me, but I like playing defense better. Once you stop a team, you give your team a better chance to win. I like that.”
Goodwin was asked what it feels like to be able to bring Lincoln to a place it hasn’t visited in almost three decades.
“It really means a lot,” Goodwin said. “We all made this a goal when the season began. It really makes me feel like I’m doing something positive with my life, helping my team make a little history.”
Hampton said that Goodwin is receiving college interest from smaller schools like Maine, Rhode Island and Towson.
“He’s not a speed burner, but he’s a football player,” Hampton said. “Offensively, he’s tough to tackle, but I think he’s probably an outside linebacker in college. But his demeanor and his attitude are perfect for the next level.”
“I want to play in college,” Goodwin said. “It means a lot to me that these schools are looking at me.”
For now, there’s only one thing in mind, the trip to the Meadowlands next Saturday morning.
“It’s what every football player wants, a chance to play for a championship,” Goodwin said. “I’ve never won a championship or an award before.”
Well, at the very least, he’s an Athlete of the Week. The championship may follow. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.