Phil Goodman is grateful in every sense of the word to be returning to the Tri-Cities Fever next season. He cannot express enough gratitude to coach Richard Davis for giving him another chance.
Not a second chance, but another chance.
Goodman, who was suspended from the Fever last season for a probation violation in California, says he has cleared up his legal mess and is ready to prove himself -- again.
"I messed up," Goodman said. "If I would have taken care of everything from jump (the beginning) none of this would have ever happened."
Goodman played for Davis in his first season in the arenafootball2 league in Stockton back in 2006. Two weeks ago, he was assigned to the Fever for the 2009 season, and is committed to coming back to Tri-Cities.
"I know Phil and he's a good guy," Davis has repeatedly said. "He did some stuff and got in trouble. He has told me all that is behind him and I believe him."
Goodman is hesitant in using the term second chance. He always planned on playing football in 2009; it was just a matter of where.
The first team that came calling was the Fever and his former coach.
In his three seasons in the af2, Goodman put up some pretty impressive numbers. In his rookie season in Stockton, Goodman had 91 catches for 1,227 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also tied for third on the team with 46.5 tackles at linebacker and was third for the Lightning with 2.5 sacks.
Last season, Goodman's numbers were down, but they coincided with the Fever's below average offense for the 4-12 team. Goodman, who played two seasons at Temple University, had 63 catches for 846 yards and 20 touchdowns in 13 games for the Fever.
That is when some unfinished business caught up to Goodman, ending his season after 13 games.
Goodman was arrested in Solano County, Calif., the summer he returned home from Temple when he was caught smoking marijuana with some of his friends. According to Goodman, he was sentenced to house arrest and probation. He thought he served his time and had everything in order when he went to play for the Fever.
But according to Goodman, he forgot to inform the state of California of his whereabouts and a warrant was issued. Then when he was pulled over leaving practice in July for driving with a suspended license, he was booked in Benton County jail on a fugitive from justice warrant.
Goodman spent more than four weeks in the county jail before he was extradited back to Solano County.
Goodman said he has a legal driver's license, but said he still is paying for one of the fines he was issued for driving with a suspended license. But other than that, he said his record is clean and he is ready to play.
Ready for another chance.
"Don't cast me aside just yet," Goodman said.
w Ben Reynolds: 582-1509; breynolds@tricityherald.com