Blue Devil’s Scar Fuels Football Career

Zanesville running back De’Aunte Goins has blown by opposing defenses to the tune of 644 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns this season.

“It’s just something about that whistle,” Goins said. “When I get that ball in my hand, I can do anything.”

“He gives 100 percent every play, every day, every time he touches the football,” Zanesville head coach Chad Grandstaff said.

The scars that cover the senior captain’s helmet show how passionately he plays the game. But there’s something underneath that proves how hard he’s had to fight.

“They see the scar and they start saying little secrets back and forth,” Goins said, pointing to a large gash located on the back of his skull.

Eighteen years ago—when the scar was an open wound—doctors didn’t expect Goins to survive.

“His heart wasn’t working; all of his body organs were shutting down,” Cindy Goins said as she tearfully revisited photos from her son’s infancy.

“Am I going to make funeral arrangements or am I going to bring him home?” she recalled asking herself.

The younger Goins was born with three deadly diseases: E. coli, hepatitis C and sickle cell anemia. He underwent four brain surgeries before his 5th birthday and lost his heartbeat three times.

“You always had to sign a paper (before the surgeries) that said there’s a 50/50 chance he’s coming out,” Cindy Goins said.

But like a determined running back facing 4th and goal, De’Aunte Goins never gave up the fight.

“It’s a warrior wound,” he said of his scar.

“That scar represents who he is as a person, where he’s been and where he wants to go,” Cindy Goins said.

Making it home from the hospital was a major victory in itself. Now—seemingly against all odds—the star tailback is helping the Blue Devils rack up victory after victory by employing a bruising running style.

“He hits like a freaking Mack Truck,” Cindy Goins matter-of-factly stated.

Despite overcoming unthinkable adversity, the challenges haven’t gone away for the 18-year-old. He suffers from short-term memory loss, and risks further injury by playing the sport he loves.

“I think about this every day before practice. What is going to happen if this busts open?” he asked. “It’s constantly on my mind.”

But De’Aunte Goins didn’t stop before, and has no plans of slowing down now. His ultimate goal is to play in the National Football League for his late grandfather’s favorite team, the Cleveland Browns.

“I never want to stop playing football,” he said. “I may get hurt, but I never want to stop.”

Goins and the Blue Devils host Columbus Beechcroft this Friday night at 7:30 in the first round of the Division III playoffs. The game will be broadcast live on AM1240 and will air on WHIZ-TV Saturday morning at 10:30.