HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Marshall football sources confirmed Sunday former Marshall football player Johnathan Goddard died in Florida following a motorcycle accident.

Goddard was 27 years old. He had two children, daughter Baylee and son John Jr.

The All-American led the nation in 2005 with 16 sacks and 28.5 tackles for a loss. As a four-year letterman, he started 32 games. He was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year as a senior.

The defensive end was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2006.

JACKSONVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - The Florida Highway Patrol says former Marshall football standout Johnathan Goddard has died in a motorcycle accident in northern Florida.

Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Leeper says Goddard's motorcycle went off the shoulder of a road at a high rate of speed and overturned about 7:40 p.m. Saturday in Clay County, Fla. A nursing supervisor at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center says Goddard, who was a resident of Starke, Fla., was pronounced dead about 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

Goddard was the Mid-American Conference defensive player of the year in 2004, when he led the nation with 16 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.

Goddard was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He later played briefly for the Indianapolis Colts and the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (MARSHALL SID) - The Marshall University Athletic Department has learned that former Marshall University football All-American Johnathan Goodard passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident Saturday evening in Clay County, Florida.

"This is a terrible loss for our football family and our thoughts and prayers are with the Goddard family," Marshall University Head Football Coach Mark Snyder said.

Goddard ranks among the top players in Marshall University football history. He earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sports and College Football News and earned second-team accolades from Walter Camp and the Associated Press following a spectacular senior season in 2004. Goddard led the nation with 16 sacks and 28 tackles for loss en route to being named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He also became the first finalist for the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy from a non-BCS automatic qualifiying conference following that season. The Nagurski is presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the top defensive player in all of college football.

Goddard, 27, was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2005 and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts following his collegiate career. He most recently spent a short stint with the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush.

NEW INFORMATION FROM MARSHALL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION:

Huntington, W.Va. (MARSHALL SID) - The independent on-line forums supporting Marshall University, the Huntington community, and friends of the Johnathan Goddard Family have established a trust fund to help the Goddard's offset funeral expenses. Unfortunately Johnathan had no type of insurance and Marshall fans are stepping up to help.

Mark Campbell, a long-time Marshall fan, is spearheading the effort to cover the $13,000 funeral costs. So far, Marshall fans from across the country have responded with donations via the internet of more than $2,500.

Donations should be sent to:

The Johnathan Goddard
Bereavement Fund
C/o Chase Bank
1000 5th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701

Paypal donations: goddardbereavementfund@suddenlink.net

Contributions in excess of funeral expenses will be donated to the Big Green Scholarship Foundation in the name of Johnathan Goddard.

Goddard was an All-American Defensive End at Marshall in 2004 who earned Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors en route to being named a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which is presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. He led the nation that year with 16 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.