Goff gets snippy for good cause

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:41 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Mike Goff's offseason travel itinerary included stops in Ireland, Thailand and the Virgin Islands. But perhaps his most unlikely expedition occurred last week and didn't require a long plane fight.

That's when the Chargers offensive lineman took a seat and heard the snapping of scissors.

"I sat in a barber chair for the first time in three years," Goff said recently.

The slashing of Goff's trademark long hair certainly occurred for a good reason. Goff's first haircut since 2004 was done to help children who have lost their hair for medical reasons and he donated 14 inches of hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that makes hair prosthetics for children 18 and under.

"They take hair 10 inches or longer and make wigs for kids who go through chemotherapy or lose their hair from chemotherapy, or other diseases that cause them to lose their hair," Goff said.

Goff said he got the idea from a female friend who donated her hair a few years ago. So he grew his hair long and finally decided now was the time to donate.

When he showed up for Saturday's first full-squad training camp with the short-hair look, there were stunned onlookers who were struggling to grasp the new reality of Goff without long hair.

"I didn't do it for any feedback," Goff said. "I just did it because I thought it was something that is a great cause. Hell, no sense in throwing away good hair if somebody is going to use it for kids to get a good wig."

Goff, the Chargers starting right guard, was noncommittal on whether he will grow his hair long again.

"I'm going to keep it short for a little while and see what happens," said Goff, entering his 10th NFL season. "Like I said, it's been a long time since I even got a haircut.

"If I grow it long again, it's definitely going to go to that organization because I think it's just a great idea and a neat thing."

As for the upcoming season, the 31-year-old Goff is interested in a hair-raising experience ---- like making a trip to the Super Bowl while opening more holes for NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson.

"If that isn't your goal, then you're in the wrong business or you have the wrong mindset," Goff said of reaching the Super Bowl. "Individually, the goal is to keep improving and to do whatever it takes to hopefully have L.T. break some more records.

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to help this team to make it into the postseason."

Just as Goff is doing all he can to help out some youngsters going through tough times. The recent gesture is a stark contrast to Goff's rough-and-tumble on-field style that has been successful in the NFL and in college at Iowa.

"He was a mauler on the line at Iowa," said San Diego State defensive coordinator Bob Elliott, a Sunday practice visitor who recruited Goff to Iowa. "Nothing fancy. He was one tough guy."

Chargers notes

T Shane Olivea (illness), WR Eric Parker (toe) and DE Igor Olshansky (groin) all missed Sunday's practice. Olshansky suffered his injury in Saturday's practice. Š Sunday's practice drew 2,319 fans, meaning more than 6,000 people attended the team's first two public workouts. "The energy definitely helps, but especially when it starts to get hot and your vision gets blurred and you don't know which way is north and south," receiver Kassim Osgood said. "You hear the screaming of the fans and they let you know they're on your side, so it's always a bonus." Š The Chargers practice twice today. Both workouts are closed to the public.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.

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