Gary Godfrey was a star football player at Sardis High School. He was named to the 1966 All-State team by the Birmingham News as a running back his senior season.

Out of high school, Godfrey signed with Auburn. He ended up enrolling at Jacksonville State before transferring to Kansas State. He gained 250 yards rushing in his final two games before being injured. After a redshirt season he returned home and landed at Jax State under new head coach Charley Pell.

Godfrey became a standout performer in college from 1969-71. In 1970, he led the Gamecocks to a perfect 9-0 record and the Mid-South Conference Championship. He was also named defensive player of the year by the conference. Godfrey received his degree from Jacksonville State University.

Coach Godfrey was the head football coach at Cleveland and Sardis during his career in high school sports. His overall record is 100-110 in twenty seasons.

In 2003 he was named to the Jacksonville State All-Century team as a linebacker.