Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Christen Harper took a moment to reflect on her husband Jared Goff’s remarkable career resurgence with the Detroit Lions after the team clinched its second consecutive NFC North title on Sunday with a decisive 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
A Look Back at Goff’s First Lions Win
Harper, 31, shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories, recalling a pivotal moment in Goff’s Lions journey. She re-posted a video from a 2021 beach photoshoot for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, where she reacted to Goff securing his first win as Detroit’s quarterback on December 5, 2021—also against the Vikings.
In the video, Harper paused her shoot to watch a replay of Goff throwing a dramatic walk-off touchdown pass to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the final seconds of the game. The Lions, then 0-10-1, clinched a 29-27 victory at Ford Field, marking a turning point for the franchise and Goff’s career.
“From our first win 4 years ago when I was on set shooting @si_swimsuit for the last time to now!!!” Harper wrote. “So proud. B2B division champs!!!”
A Franchise Transformed
At the time of Goff’s first Lions win, the team was in the midst of a rebuilding phase following his trade from the Los Angeles Rams in January 2021. Goff, sent to Detroit in exchange for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, was largely viewed as a placeholder in the deal. However, under head coach Dan Campbell’s leadership, Goff has silenced doubters, leading the Lions to back-to-back NFC North titles and a franchise-record 15-2 season.
With Sunday’s victory, Detroit secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in team history, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Harper’s Role in Goff’s Journey
Harper couldn’t attend Goff’s first Lions win in 2021 due to her commitments with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, where she was filming her Rookie of the Year shoot. Dressed in a yellow bikini, Harper’s reaction to the win was captured in a behind-the-scenes video.
“Shut up! Shut up!” Harper exclaimed in the clip upon hearing the Lions had won. “This is our first win! This is crazy!”
Harper went on to be named Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Co-Rookie of the Year in 2022, sharing the honor with her best friend, fitness model Katie Austin.
Goff’s Career Resurgence
Since that 2021 win, Goff has become the face of Detroit’s remarkable turnaround. Following his trade from Los Angeles, where he was seen as expendable, Goff has thrived in Detroit’s system. In May 2024, he solidified his commitment to the Lions by signing a lucrative contract extension worth up to $212 million, including $170 million guaranteed.
Goff’s leadership and steady play have been instrumental in the Lions’ success, with his performance against the Vikings in 2021—25 completions for 296 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception—offering a glimpse of his potential.
A Love Story Alongside Success
Goff and Harper tied the knot in an intimate California ceremony in June 2024, two years after Goff proposed during a trip to Mexico. Their relationship began after connecting on a dating app, with Harper revealing she knew immediately that Goff was someone special.
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Looking Ahead
As Goff and the Lions prepare for the playoffs, Harper’s reflections underscore just how far both he and the franchise have come.
From a winless season to NFC dominance, Goff’s journey has been a testament to perseverance and leadership—qualities celebrated not just by his teammates, but by the woman who has been by his side through it all.
Now, with the Lions holding the top seed in the NFC, Goff and Harper are ready to embrace the next chapter in their shared story: a push for Detroit’s first-ever Super Bowl title.
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