Our Founders
Chris Godwin
Wide Receiver Chris Godwin was selected in the third round (84th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chris attended Middletown High School in Delaware, where he and Mariah's relationship began.
Chris is a Pro Bowl and All-Pro receiver who placed top five in yards and touchdowns during the 2019 season, despite missing two games. With the help of Mariah, Chris' eyes were opened to the need for support, advocacy, compassion and financial assistance in the animal rescue community. He knew they could use their platforms to bring light to animal rescue and make a real difference. Chris' love for rescue dogs has grown exponentially and he hopes Team Godwin Foundation grows to the same magnitude.
Chris and Mariah have two dogs of their own, a Pomsky named Ghost and an American Staffordshire Terrier named Ziggy.
Mariah DelPercio
Mariah grew up in a football family in Delaware, where she and Chris started dating during high school. They went to Penn State University together, where she studied Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science.
Mariah began volunteering at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay in early 2018 after Chris got drafted and they moved to Tampa, and she immediately found her passion for animal rescue. She began educating herself on the workings and needs of the animal rescue community, and began sharing that information with Chris. Mariah hopes to continue to educate people about owning dogs, the importance of spaying and neutering, and the real meaning and goals of the Adopt Don’t Shop movement. She wants to end the stigma around animal shelters and end breed discrimination.
Mariah is passionate about making a positive impact in absolutely any way that she can. She believes no act of good is too small.