Irv Goode
Offensive Guard | Class of 2013
Hometown
Newport, KY
High School
Boone County High School
College
University of Kentucky
Professional Career
St. Louis Cardinals (1962-1971)
Buffalo Bills (1972)
Miami Dolphins (1973-1974)
Top NFL Statistics
NFL Career Highlights
Super Bowl VIII Champion
(1973)
2x Pro Bowl
(1964, 1967)
About Irv Goode
Irving Lee “Irv” Goode grew up just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky. A standout at Boone County High School, Goode earned Sporting News High School All-American honors, along with all-conference and All-State recognition from the Louisville Courier-Journal. Today, Boone County’s football team plays its home games on Irv Goode Field, named in his honor.
Recruited by many top football programs, Goode chose to stay in-state, playing for the University of Kentucky under coach Blanton Collier from 1959 to 1961. A two-way player for the Wildcats at center and linebacker, he served as team captain in 1961 and earned First Team All-American honors from Time magazine while being named Third Team All-SEC by UPI. Goode also played in four college all-star games. He was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 2005 and was honored as an SEC Legend in 2008.
Drafted in the first round (12th overall) of the 1962 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Irv Goode quickly earned a starting role, first at tackle before moving to guard. Named the Cardinals’ Rookie of the Year, he became a key anchor on the offensive line during the team’s playoff pushes in the 1960s. Goode earned Pro Bowl honors twice, in 1964 and 1967, the latter during a season when four Cardinals offensive linemen received Pro Bowl nods.
After a decade in St. Louis, Goode spent the 1972 season with the Buffalo Bills, though an injury sidelined him for the year. He then joined the Miami Dolphins in 1973 as a backup lineman and long snapper, helping the team capture Super Bowl VIII and adding a world championship to his career.
Over his NFL tenure, Goode appeared in 162 regular-season games, starting 132, and recovered three fumbles. Including four postseason games, he totaled 166 professional appearances.
Following his retirement after the 1974 season, Goode opened the Goode Sports Center, a sporting goods store in St. Louis, which he operated for six years before selling the business. He then moved into the insurance industry, partnering with former teammate Chuck Walker, and continued working part-time in the field for many years.
Today, Irv Goode lives in the St. Louis area with his wife, Anne, enjoying time with their eight children and 16 grandchildren. He remains connected to his NFL roots, often attending reunions, golf outings, and hunting trips to maintain the bonds forged during his playing days.
Regular Season
Playoffs
Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Profile image from www.thebigredzone.com.
Biography by Grace Frericks.
