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A talented, young safety with great size and range, Dashon Goldson has earned valuable experience on defense and special teams since being selected in the 4th-round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the 49ers. In 2009, his 1st season as the full-time starter, he proved to be a playmaker in the 49ers secondary setting career highs in multiple categories.

TRANSACTIONS: Originally the second of three 4th round (126th pick overall) draft choices by SF in 2007.

2009 CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
•Set career highs in tackles (114), INTs (4), FFs (3) and sacks (2.0) this season. Led team in INTs (4) and ranks 2nd on the team in tackles (114).

2009 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
•One of only 4 players (LB Patrick Willis, CB Charles Woodson and LB Paul Posluszny) in the NFL to record at least 3 INTs, 3 FFs, and 1 sack.

PLAYMAKER
S Dashon Goldson was a playmaker for the 49ers in 2009 and was one of only 4 players in the NFL who have recorded at least 3 INTs, 1.0 sack and 3 FFs. Teammate CB Shawntae Spencer characterizes Goldson as a ballhawk when he is on the field.

"On those plays, he wasn’t supposed to be there, but he was," Spencer said. "I don’t know where he came from. He showed his range. He covered his guy, but when the ball was in the air, he made a play on it. He’s everywhere. He’s a ballhawk."

FORCING THE ISSUE
S Dashon Goldson showed a knack for knocking the ball loose in his first season as the starter for the 49ers, ranked t-2nd among NFL safeties in FFs. Goldson contributed to the team leading the NFL in FFs in 2009.

2009 GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
•Recorded the 1st INT of his career vs. Sea. (9/20).
•Registered career highs in total (11) and assisted tackles (5). Also tipped a pass from QB Brett Favre that was intercepted by CB Shawntae Spencer in the 3rd qtr.
•Posted his 1st career sack vs. StL (10/4).
•Posted 8 tackles to go along with his first career FF and FR on a run by RB Steve Slaton in the 3rd qtr. at Hou. (10/25).
•Picked off QB Jay Cutler vs. Chi. (11/12).
•Tied a career high with 11 total tackles while setting a career high with 10 solo tackles vs. Jax. (11/29).
•Set a single-game career high with 2 crucial FFs while recording an INT off of QB Kurt Warner vs. Arz. (12/14).
•Registered his 4th INT of the season vs. Det. (12/27), marking the first time a 49ers’ safety tallied 4 INTs since S Mike Adams in 2005.

GOLDMINE:
•Dashon used to keep his hair short, but when he entered college he let his hair grow. Now, his long dreadlocks hang out of his helmet on game days. “I don’t like just anyone cutting my hair because they can mess you up,” said Goldson. “So while I was in college, it started getting long, so I decided to let it go for the first time. First I had braids, but everyone had braids. So, I decided to lock it up. My mom was telling me to get dreads all along, but I wasn’t sure at first. I ended up trying it one time, and it turned out being for me.”

2008
•Started first game of career when 49ers opened game in nickel defense at Sea. (9/14) and totaled 5 tackles.
•Posted 1 tackle at NYG (10/19) before leaving game with a knee injury in 2nd qtr.
•Saw extensive action at safety vs. Was. (12/28) in place of starter S Michael Lewis, who was injured in 2nd qtr.

2007
•Hampered first 2 weeks of season by an elbow injury suffered in pre-season game against Oak. (8/18).
•Played first career game vs. Sea. (10/7), filling in for Lewis, who left field for 5 plays with an injury.
•Saw extended action in nickel and dime packages at Car. (12/2).

COLLEGE:
Appeared in 43 college games, which includes his career at Coffeyville Community College and the University of Washington, and collected 293 tackles, 6 INTs, 2 FFs, 1 sack and 20 PDs. Started 22 straight games at Washington before being limited by an ankle injury in 2006 season opener. Earned All-Pac 10 honorable mention after moving from free safety to cornerback as a senior so team could field its top 4 defensive backs. Attended Coffeyville (KS) Community College as a free safety for one season in 2003, earning first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honors with 99 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 sack and 2 PDs.

PERSONAL:
•Attended Narbonne (CA) HS, where he received two votes in the Long Beach Press-Telegram’s 2001 “Best in the West” poll, and earned first-team All-Marine League honors in each of his final two seasons. 
•As a senior, totaled 130 tackles and 6 INTs, with 2 returned for TDs.
•Born Dashon Goldson (9/18/84) in Carson, CA.
•Graduated in June 2006 with a degree in African Ethnic Studies.