May 7, 2022
By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
The 2022 NFL draft held in Las Vegas over three days from April 28-30 left many football fans talking about the results. Closer to home in Lee’s Summit many fans and followers of Lee’s Summit West Football were talking and for good reason. Former LS West Titan standout Mario Goodrich was eligible for the draft. The seven round event concluded on Saturday without Goodrich being selected but it wasn’t long afterwards he would hear his name called. Goodrich, post draft, immediately signed a fully guaranteed contract worth $217,000 with the Philadelphia Eagles. The undrafted free agent deal brings Goodrich, who was a cornerback at Clemson in college, to the Eagles who play in the NFC East Division.
Family and friends of Goodrich were quick to congratulate Mario on his first NFL contract and wish him well in Philadelphia. Two former coaches of Mario’s at LS West were among those offering congrats. One of them was LS West golf coach Bret Wagner who served as an assistant football coach during Mario Goodrich’s time as a Titan. Wagner describes Goodrich as “a very humble person.” Wagner adds “has confidence, a team first guy.” Whether it’s his coaches or his teachers Goodrich is a “pleaser” says Wagner.
Wagner was close enough to Goodrich that he served as the point man for his college recruiting. Wagner has gone from seeing Mario every day to once in a while including recently at his NFL draft party that took place in downtown Kansas City. Wagner is happy to admit it’s “the same old Mario, very proud of him and his family.” Wagner was among 40-50 guests to watch the NFL draft coverage on Friday, Apr. 29. Another LS West connection to Mario at the draft party was LS West head boys basketball coach Michael Schieber.
Schieber admits he is “kind of excited and glad it worked out.” Schieber says of Mario “among some of the best that I’ve coached.” Schieber adds he is most impressed “with the growth of the person.” Schieber looking back on Mario’s days as a Titan basketball player saying “always competed every day, never had to worry about him showing up, was always ready to play and was locked in.”
Now with a newly signed contract in hand Goodrich will be locked in to starting his pro football career with the Eagles. The MVP of the Cheez-it Bowl will head to Novacare Complex for training camp this fall. Goodrich will attempt to make the team roster being led by second year head Coach Nick Sirianni. Don’t be surprised if Goodrich continues to give family and friends plenty to talk about back home in Lee’s Summit.
