Joseph Allen Goodspeed (born February 22, 1978) is an NFL fullback. He last played for the Minnesota Vikings. In the Vikings' 2006 mini-camp, he tore his ACL and was on injured reserve for the 2006 NFL season. After the 2006 season he was cut by the Vikings and has yet to be signed by any team in the NFL.
[edit] High School Years
Goodspeed attended Oswego High School in Oswego, Illinois, and was a star in football and track & field. In football, he was a three-year starter at both, fullback and linebacker. In track & field, he was a state qualifier on both the shot put and the discus, during his junior year.
[edit] College career
Goodspeed was a four-year starter at Notre Dame who rushed for 399 yards and two touchdowns – one on a 22-yard reception and another on a 33-yard blocked punt return. He graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in management.
[edit] Professional career
[edit] San Diego Chargers
Goodspeed was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2000 draft, but was released during training camp. Was signed by the Steelers Oct. 17 to the practice squad, spending the final 10 games with the Steelers practice squad. In 2001 he spent training camp with the New Orleans Saints. In 2002 he played 12 games with the San Diego Chargers, finishing second on the team with 12 special teams tackles. Goodspeed was released by the San Diego Chargers during the preseason in 2008.
[edit] St.Louis Rams
Goodspeedand signed with the St. Louis Rams in October 28, 2003, where he played in the final eight games of the season, starting four, but didn’t have a rush or reception in those games. Since Goodspeed joined the roster Marshall Faulk has rushed for at least 100 yards in five times in November and December. Goodspeed had the first offensive stats of his career with a 9-yard reception in a playoff game vs. Carolina. The next season, 2004, he played all 16 games with the Rams. Had the first rushing stats of his career, rushing three times for 6 yards (including a 2-yard touchdown) and caught 11 passes for 71 yards which we all career-highs. Faulk and Steven Jackson combines for 5 100-yard games in 2004, after following the lead blocks of Goodspeed. Nonetheless, Goodspeed was released by the Rams on September, 4, 2004, as part of the final round of cuts before the regular season. He had lost a battle with Madison Hedgecock for the fullback position with the Rams.
[edit] Minnesota Vikings
He did not sign with anyone during the 2005 season. On 2006 he signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings and was expected to compete with Tony Richardson at fullback. However, he tore his left ACL at Vikings minicamp, which required surgery. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the season.
