ARLINGTON, Texas – After the game, special teams veteran CJ Goodwin credited the media for “doing their job” when they tried to talk to Amani Oruwariye after the game-winning error in the fourth quarter.

“But I’m also doing my job.”

Goodwin stood next to Oruwariye throughout the postgame locker room session, waving off a handful of reporters who tried to talk to the veteran cornerback after he returned a blocked punt that gave the Bengals the ball for a touchdown.

Goodwin, who described himself as a special teams captain, later explained why he stopped any interview with Oruwariye.

“You might think it’s football … but there’s life outside of football,” Goodwin said. “If I see my husband going through something mentally, I won’t let (the media) bring it up again and again. We won’t do that.”

Goodwin said he did the same thing back in 2021 when Nahshon Wright had a similar play in a loss to the Broncos when a forward punt was blocked and he couldn’t make the play, resulting in a missed opportunity.

But this play was a little different as Oruwaryie had more time after the punt was blocked by Nick Vigil and the ball rolled toward midfield.

Oruwaryie was blocking as the return guard and left cornerback, and after the blocked punt, he turned back to see the ball bounce and decided to catch it. When he didn’t catch it, the ball came back to life and the Bengals recovered, regaining possession with 1:53 to play and tied at 20-20. Cincinnati scored a touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase four plays later to secure the final touchdown.

Ironically, Oruwariye was added to the squad earlier on Monday afternoon as he came off injured reserve. He played four games midway through the season before an injury against the 49ers put him on IR. Oruwariye returned to training this week and was called up ahead of the game.

Despite being a six-year veteran with 58 games under his belt, Oruwariye suffered a lapse in judgment. But alongside Goodwin, veteran Jourdan Lewis also said it wasn’t a play that should define him.

“Big plays happen and everyone sees it,” Lewis said. “We have to stick with him and continue to encourage him. We don’t want this moment to define him. Blame him for trying to make a play.