Social Media Reacts to WR Chris Godwin's Season-Ending Injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a football game on Monday. But they also lost much more than that when their best offensive player on the year went down with an awful injury.

Wideout Chris Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle in the dying minute of Monday night's 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, an injury that is confirmed to take him out for the year. Godwin is a focal point of the offense, but also means a ton to the players, coaches and staff in Tampa Bay and to the fans that support him along the way.

Many fans took to social media in a show of support for Godwin, who has been a stand up player and person while he's been in Tampa Bay. Some even pledged some money to the Team Godwin Foundation, his charity devoted to giving vulnerable pets a second chance.

This is the worst part about football.

🙏🏽 for Chris Godwin.pic.twitter.com/E8JQTxpDnT
— NFL Talk (@NFL_Talk_Sports) October 22, 2024

Hate this for Chris Godwin, man. He was having a terrific season and he’s done so much in the Tampa Bay community. Great player and an even better person.

Praying for a speedy recovery 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/TxHRFmkmiK
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) October 22, 2024

Chris Godwin is the type of talent and person general managers dream of drafting. Heart hurts for him and everything he's given to the game and the team to have an injury like that https://t.co/vzt1ll0n7x
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) October 22, 2024

Think it would be an incredibly kind gesture as a fanbase to donate to Chris Godwin’s charity to show our support and love for 1’Fo while he begins his road to recovery 💜 https://t.co/heuYhz4yrH
— Ashlie🎃 (@EMT_Ashlie) October 22, 2024

Many, however, also took to social media to ask why Godwin was in the game in the first place. The Bucs had under a minute left to play with no timeouts left, which made their chances of victory incredibly slim. Plenty of people on social media criticized head coach Todd Bowles for keeping starters in the game, which some felt led to Godwin's injury.

I mean, how stupid do you have to be? Why in the world are you playing your starters in that situation? Bowles should be thrashed on every outlet tomorrow. Inexcusable. https://t.co/RzF9jOSVGW
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) October 22, 2024

Todd Bowles turns 61 years old in November. He is not the future of the Buccaneers franchise. He is also the defensive coordinator of one of the worst defenses in the NFL. A defense that gave up 41 points tonight.

Liam Coen is 38 years old. He runs a top five offense in the NFL…
— JC Cornell (@CornellNFL) October 22, 2024

For anyone...ANYONE...arguing the game was still in reach when Godwin got hurt, I submit exhibit A of why you are absolutely without a doubt wrong. pic.twitter.com/euNEKQ6Xmk
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 22, 2024

Godwin is a free agent after this season. Todd Bowles just cost him generational money and job security. What do you even say to a man after that? Irredeemable
— UE (@T3Jab) October 22, 2024

However, that wasn't the universal sentiment across the board. Some live by the code that you play to win the game in any scenario, and that while Godwin's injury was unfortunate, Bowles isn't to blame for trying to win the football game with everything he had.

The fact that a reporter treated Todd Bowles as if he had set Chris Godwin up for injury was a ridiculous line of questioning. This isn’t little league where you pull your guys so other people can play for their parents to take pics.

Players and coaches practice all week for 60… pic.twitter.com/xgvU6luSoS
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 22, 2024

Yall keep blaming the HC. Man he have an entire team to worry about. Don’t blame Bowles yall are bugging. I ain’t blaming the HC. I said why was he in the game? There are a lot of variables that go into that decision. I hate he was in at that moment. This ain’t nobody fault.
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) October 22, 2024

After hearing Todd Bowles’ explanation, I understand it. With Evans injured, they only had 4 healthy WRs dressed. They were trying to win.

That being said, I still disagree with it, due to the Atlanta game on a short week. But I understand his decision.pic.twitter.com/3pVbfEHYGp
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 22, 2024

It’s very unfortunate that Godwin got injured. But blaming coach Bowles for that injury is too reactionary. Players prepare and expect to be out there till the very end.
🙏🏿🙌🏿 for Godwin! https://t.co/b4vDToE6pr
— Jerry Azumah (@JerryAzumah) October 22, 2024

Regardless of why it happened or who is to blame, it's always unfortunate to see a player go down. We hope Godwin can make a strong recovery and get back to the incredible form he's showcased this season in 2025.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

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