Patrick Goodpaster

Early life

Goodpaster was born to Opok and Patrick Goodpaster in Torrance, California. He has two sisters, Traci Goodpaster and Ty Mary Goodpaster. He attended and graduated from Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California in 2000. While at Norbonne, he was named to the 1999 all-conference, all-district, and all-California Interscholastic Federation squads.

A versatile player, he played tight end, defensive end, defensive tackle, and punted for the Narbonne Gauchos while earning three varsity letter awards. Goodpaster was chosen conference Defensive MVP in 1999 and served as team captain. He led the Gauchos to Class 4A playoffs in 1999 after the team won the state title in 1998.

College football

Goodpaster played football for the Colorado State Rams' football team as a defensive end.

National Football League

Goodpaster played defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens, who signed him in 2005 as an undrafted free agent.

Career, community service and commendations

Goodpaster is currently a peace officer for the city of Gardena. Goodpaster was a recipient of and honored at the 2008 South Bay Medal of Valor Luncheon in Torrance, California. Goodpaster, and two other officers responded to and ran into a burning home June 22, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. to rescue a child and his parents. Goodpaster and officer Vargas, both of the Gardena Police Department, smashed windows when they heard cries coming from inside. After getting the child's parents to safety, their child (Billy Spitzer) was nowhere to be seen. Goodpaster notes "I heard a faint sound and the kid was standing right next to the stove, covering his eyes and just screaming," Goodpaster said after the fire. "I picked him up and carried him out and ran out of the house and handed him to a firefighter. It was a really good feeling".