Jody Fortson

Jody Fortson
refer to caption
Fortson in 2021
No. 89 – Kansas City Chiefs
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1995-12-07) December 7, 1995 (age 28)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:South Park
(Buffalo, New York)
College:Erie CC (2015)
Valdosta State (2016–2018)
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:14
Receiving yards:155
Receiving touchdowns:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Joseph Demarius "Jody" Fortson Jr. (born December 7, 1995) is an American professional football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL).[1] He played college football at Valdosta State after transferring from Erie Community College,[2] and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2019.[3] Fortson has won three Super Bowls; Super Bowl LIV as a member of the Chiefs practice squad, and Super Bowl LVII while on the active roster.

College career

[edit]

Fortson began his college football career at Erie Community College before transferring to Valdosta State.[4] A wide receiver in college, Fortson tallied 37 receptions for 477 yards and 7 touchdowns in 19 games played for the Valdosta State Blazers.[5]

Despite an abbreviated senior season due to injury in which the Blazers won the NCAA Division II National Championship, Fortson was chosen to play in both the Tropical Bowl[6] as well as the College Gridiron Showcase[7] all-star events.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m) 		226 lb
(103 kg) 		33+1⁄4 in
(0.84 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.84 s 1.55 s 2.82 s 4.59 s 7.52 s 34.0 in
(0.86 m)		 10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		 13 reps
All values from Pro Day[8]

Kansas City Chiefs

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Going into the NFL, Fortson converted to tight end and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2019. He was waived on August 31, 2019, and signed to the practice squad the next day. Fortson remained on practice squad for the rest of the season and as the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers. He re-signed with the Chiefs on February 5, 2020.[9] He was waived on September 5, 2020.[10] He signed to the practice squad the following day.[11]

On February 9, 2021, Fortson re-signed with the Chiefs. He made the Chiefs' active roster on August 31, 2021.[12]

He recorded his first career NFL reception against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 of the 2021 season.[13] He recorded his first career NFL touchdown reception the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers.[14] He was placed on injured reserve on October 23. He was placed on Reserve/COVID-19 on December 10, 2021.[15] On the season, he appeared in six games and had five receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns.[13]

Fortson appeared in 13 games and had nine receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the 2022 season.[16] After suffering an elbow injury in Week 15 against the Houston Texans, Fortson was placed on season–ending injured reserve on December 23, 2022.[17] Fortson won his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.[18]

Fortson, who was an exclusive rights free agent, was tendered by the Chiefs on March 14, 2023. His contract for the 2023 season will be a one-year league minimum contract.[19] He was placed on injured reserve on August 15, 2023 after suffering a dislocated shoulder.[20] Without Fortson, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers giving Fortson his third Super Bowl championship.[21]

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

On March 15, 2024, Fortson signed with the Miami Dolphins.[22] He was released on August 25, 2024.[23]

Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)

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On September 26, 2024, Fortson signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, and promoted to the active roster a week later.[24] On October 28, the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve due to a knee injury.[25]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2021 KC 6 0 5 47 9.4 27 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2022 KC 13 1 9 108 12.0 40 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0
Career 19 0 11 123 11.2 40 4 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0

References

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  1. ^ "Jody Fortson". NFL.com. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  2. ^ Bronstein, Jonah (November 23, 2019). "Kansas City Chiefs rookie Jody Fortson Jr. returns to Buffalo with inspiring message". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on November 26, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Skurski, Jay (January 29, 2020). "Chiefs' Demone Harris, Jody Fortson proud to represent Buffalo on NFL's biggest stage". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  4. ^ Owen, Chris (September 11, 2022). "Buffalo Native and ECC Alum Scores NFL Touchdown on Sunday". WYRK. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Joe Fortson - 2018 - Football". Valdosta State University Athletics. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  6. ^ "Roster – SPIRAL Tropical Bowl". www.tropicalbowl.com. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  7. ^ "2019 CGS College Gridiron Showcase Rosters". College Gridiron Showcase. January 2, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  8. ^ "Jody Fortson, Valdosta State, TE, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  9. ^ Goldman, Charles (February 5, 2020). "Chiefs add 9 practice squad players on reserve/future contracts". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  10. ^ "Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53". Chiefs.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  11. ^ Fedotin, Jeff (September 6, 2020). "The Kansas City Chiefs Make Good Use Of New Practice Squad Rules". Forbes.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  12. ^ Thompson, Jaylon (February 9, 2021). "Kansas City Chiefs sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts". 247Sports. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Jody Fortson 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  14. ^ Goldman, Charles (September 26, 2021). "Chiefs TE Jody Fortson catches first career touchdown". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  15. ^ Williams, Charean (December 11, 2021). "Chiefs place Jody Fortson on COVID-19 reserve list". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "Jody Fortson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  17. ^ Teope, Herbie (December 23, 2022). "Musical chairs for Chiefs' tight ends: Jody Fortson placed on IR, Blake Bell activated". KansasCity.com. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  18. ^ "Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Foote, Jordan (March 14, 2023). "Chiefs Tender Jody Fortson as ERFA, Retain Him for 2023". SI.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Dixon, John (August 15, 2023). "Chiefs put Jody Fortson on IR, make 3 other roster moves on Tuesday". Arrowhead Pride. SB Nation.
  21. ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "Miami Dolphins Sign Jody Fortson". MiamiDolphins.com. March 15, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 25, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  24. ^ Brisco, Joshua (September 26, 2024). "Reports: Chiefs Reuniting with Familiar Face; High-Upside Pass Catcher Returns to KC". SI.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  25. ^ Foote, Jordan (October 28, 2024). "Chiefs Place TE Jody Fortson on Injured Reserve, Announce Joshua Uche Trade". SI.com. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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