HUNTINGTON -- It started with a simple gesture, an afterthought almost.

Johnnie and Kathi Goddard were planning to make their way to Huntington for the kickoff of their son's college football career. Frankly, the family from northern Florida knew no one within the Tri-State, but they had established an on-line presence with fellow Marshall University fans.

Through those Internet chats, the Goddards were invited to a gameday tailgate across from the Shewey Athletic Building. In all of one Saturday afternoon, Johnnie and Kathi Goddard very much were part of Marshall's football family.

Their son produced an All-American career during his five years in Huntington and graduated to his life-long dream, the National Football League. Johnathan Goddard's always eventful life suddenly ended Saturday night in a motorcycle accident near his Jacksonville, Fla., hometown.

More than eight years after Johnathan Goddard's arrival in Huntington, the same football family is embracing the Goddards. The Johnathan Goddard Bereavement Fund has been established, aimed at helping cover the $13,000 funeral costs of the 27-year-old. Longtime Marshall fan Mark Campbell was among those who extended the initial tailgate invitation and now is spearheading the bereavement fund. Again, it's a simple gesture that already has delivered stunning results, Campbell said.

Less than 25 hours after the fund was established, $2,500 was collected through PayPal Internet donations and another $1,200 was committed.

"And I don't know what donations will be made through the mail," Campbell aid. "We just established the fund and our original goal was $5,000."

That appears easily attainable, allowing Marshall supporters and the Goddard family to heighten aspirations. To the family's surprise, Goddard did not have insurance, piling a financial burden atop the obvious shock. Should the $5,000 goal be attained, further funds will be donated to the Big Green Scholarship Foundation in Goddard's name; a scholarship in his name also is pending.

Campbell said he and others were moved by Goddard the person and his family -- in lieu of a record-setting career -- to generate the bereavement fund. Goddard earned All-American honors as a senior in 2004, ranking among the nation's best with 16 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.

Instead of defensive touchdowns scored at Kansas State and Ohio State, Campbell pointed to an unlikely tailgating moment in the same spot across from the Shewey Building.

"(Former Marshall player) Will Albin and my son had the same birthday and we had a huge cake for him and my son, and about 90 minutes before kickoff (Goddard) shows up with double digit players with him," Campbell said. "He came and sang 'Happy Birthday' and it just put a huge smile on my son's face.

"This guy was just a class act. And for us to do something for his parents is just as important."

Donations to the Johnathan Goddard Bereavement Fund can be made via PayPal to goddardbereavementfund@suddenlink.net or mailed to The Johnathan Goddard Bereavement Fund, c/o Chase Bank, 1000 5th Ave., Huntington, W.Va., 25701.

"They love the people here," Campbell said of the Goddard family. "I've seen them up here four or five times the last couple of years and they always talk about how Johnathan loves the community and the way they brought him in. They loved it when he was up here and the way he was welcomed with open arms and that's why they've stayed in touch."

Goddard's funeral was conducted Thursday afternoon at LakeShore United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.

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