Jody Fortson
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jody Fortson
| image = Chiefs 201 (51615696733).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Fortson in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|12|07|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Buffalo, New York, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 235
| high_school = South Park
(Buffalo, New York)
| college = Erie CC (2015)
Valdosta State (2016–2018)
| undraftedyear = 2019
| pastteams =
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 3× Super Bowl champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
- NCAA Division II National Champion (2018)
| pfr = FortJo01
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 15
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 160
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 4
}}
Joseph Demarius "Jody" Fortson Jr. (born December 7, 1995) is an American professional football tight end.{{Cite web |title=Jody Fortson |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/jodyfortson/profile?id=FOR722821 |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=NFL.com |language=en}} He played college football at Valdosta State after transferring from Erie Community College,{{Cite web |last=Bronstein |first=Jonah |date=November 23, 2019 |title=Kansas City Chiefs rookie Jody Fortson Jr. returns to Buffalo with inspiring message |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/11/23/kansas-city-chiefs-rookie-jody-fortson-jr-returns-to-buffalo-with-inspiring-message/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126175226/https://buffalonews.com/2019/11/23/kansas-city-chiefs-rookie-jody-fortson-jr-returns-to-buffalo-with-inspiring-message/ |archive-date=November 26, 2019 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=The Buffalo News}} and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Skurski |first=Jay |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Chiefs' Demone Harris, Jody Fortson proud to represent Buffalo on NFL's biggest stage |url=https://buffalonews.com/2020/01/29/chiefs-demone-harris-jody-fortson-proud-to-represent-buffalo-on-nfls-biggest-stage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130064929/https://buffalonews.com/2020/01/29/chiefs-demone-harris-jody-fortson-proud-to-represent-buffalo-on-nfls-biggest-stage/ |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |access-date=January 30, 2020 |website=The Buffalo News}} 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
Fortson began his college football career at Erie Community College before transferring to Valdosta State.{{Cite web |last=Owen |first=Chris |date=September 11, 2022 |title=Buffalo Native and ECC Alum Scores NFL Touchdown on Sunday |url=https://wyrk.com/jody-fortson-touchdown/ |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=WYRK |language=en}} A wide receiver in college, Fortson tallied 37 receptions for 477 yards and 7 touchdowns in 19 games played for the Valdosta State Blazers.{{Cite web |title=Joe Fortson - 2018 - Football |url=https://vstateblazers.com/sports/football/roster/joe-fortson/3377 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Valdosta State University Athletics |language=en}}
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{{Cite web |title=Roster – SPIRAL Tropical Bowl |url=https://www.tropicalbowl.com/roster |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=www.tropicalbowl.com}} as well as the College Gridiron Showcase{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2019 |title=2019 CGS College Gridiron Showcase Rosters |url=https://cgsallstar.com/2019-cgs-college-gridiron-showcase-rosters/ |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=College Gridiron Showcase |language=en-US}} all-star events.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 1/4
| weight = 226
| dash = 4.84
| ten split = 1.55
| twenty split = 2.82
| shuttle = 4.59
| cone drill = 7.52
| vertical = 34.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 7
| bench = 13
| arm span = 33 1/4
| hand span = 10
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1028776&DraftYear=2019 |title=Jody Fortson, Valdosta State, TE, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=December 20, 2021}}
}}
=Kansas City Chiefs (first stint)=
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.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Charles |date=February 5, 2020 |title=Chiefs add 9 practice squad players on reserve/future contracts |url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/02/05/kansas-city-chiefs-sign-9-practice-squad-players-to-reserve-future-contracts/ |access-date=December 16, 2020 |website=Chiefs Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He was waived on September 5, 2020.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53 |url=https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-roster-down-to-nfl-mandated-53-x6671 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |website=Chiefs.com}} He signed to the practice squad the following day.{{Cite web |last=Fedotin |first=Jeff |date=September 6, 2020 |title=The Kansas City Chiefs Make Good Use Of New Practice Squad Rules |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2020/09/06/the-kansas-city-chiefs-make-good-use-of-new-practice-squad-rules/ |access-date=December 16, 2020 |website=Forbes.com}}
On February 9, 2021, Fortson re-signed with the Chiefs. He made the Chiefs' active roster on August 31, 2021.{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Jaylon|date=February 9, 2021|title=Kansas City Chiefs sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts|url=https://247sports.com/Article/Kansas-City-Chiefs-sign-10-players-to-reservefuture-contracts-DeAndre-Baker-Bryan-Witzmann--160717095/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=247Sports|language=en-US}}
He recorded his first career NFL reception against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 of the 2021 season. He recorded his first career NFL touchdown reception the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers.{{Cite web|last=Goldman|first=Charles|date=September 26, 2021|title=Chiefs TE Jody Fortson catches first career touchdown|url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/26/kansas-city-chiefs-tight-end-jody-fortson-first-career-touchdown-reception/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=October 3, 2021|website=Chiefs Wire|publisher=USA Today|language=en-US}} He was placed on injured reserve on October 23. He was placed on Reserve/COVID-19 on December 10, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=December 11, 2021 |title=Chiefs place Jody Fortson on COVID-19 reserve list |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/12/10/chiefs-place-joe-fortson-on-covid-19-reserve-list/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}} On the season, he appeared in six games and had five receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Jody Fortson 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FortJo01/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Fortson appeared in 13 games and had nine receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the 2022 season.{{Cite web |title=Jody Fortson 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FortJo01/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} After suffering an elbow injury in Week 15 against the Houston Texans, Fortson was placed on season–ending injured reserve on December 23, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Teope |first=Herbie |date=December 23, 2022 |title=Musical chairs for Chiefs' tight ends: Jody Fortson placed on IR, Blake Bell activated |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article270388337.html |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=KansasCity.com |language=en}} Fortson won his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Foote |first=Jordan |date=March 14, 2023 |title=Chiefs Tender Jody Fortson as ERFA, Retain Him for 2023 |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/news/kc-chiefs-tender-tight-end-jody-fortson-as-erfa-retain-him-for-2023 |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=SI.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 15, 2023 after suffering a dislocated shoulder.{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=John |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Chiefs put Jody Fortson on IR, make 3 other roster moves on Tuesday |url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2023/8/15/23833106/chiefs-roster-jody-fortson-ir-3-other-moves |website=Arrowhead Pride |publisher=SB Nation}} Without Fortson, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers giving Fortson his third Super Bowl championship.{{Cite web |last=Maaddi |first=Rob |date=2024-02-12 |title=Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime |url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2024-score-chiefs-49ers-49b5dca51c05ab0f259cef0d7da76c2d |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=AP News |language=en}}
=Miami Dolphins=
On March 15, 2024, Fortson signed with the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Miami Dolphins Sign Jody Fortson |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-jody-fortson |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=MiamiDolphins.com |language=en-US}} He was released on August 25, 2024.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2024 |title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/roster-moves-20240825 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}
=Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)=
On September 26, 2024, Fortson signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, and promoted to the active roster a week later.{{cite web | last=Brisco | first=Joshua | title=Reports: Chiefs Reuniting with Familiar Face; High-Upside Pass Catcher Returns to KC | website=SI.com | date=2024-09-26 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/news/reports-chiefs-reuniting-with-familiar-face-high-upside-pass-catcher-returns-to-kc | access-date=2024-09-26}} On October 28, 2024, the Chiefs placed Fortson on injured reserve due to a knee injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/news/chiefs-place-te-jody-fortson-on-injured-reserve-announce-joshua-uche-trade|work=SI.com|title=Chiefs Place TE Jody Fortson on Injured Reserve, Announce Joshua Uche Trade|date=October 28, 2024|accessdate=October 29, 2024|first=Jordan|last=Foote}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Regular season statistics | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| 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 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024
! KC | 3 || 0 || 1 || 5 || 5.0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FortJo01.htm Career] | 22 | 1 | 15 | 160 | 10.7 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|pfr=F/FortJo01|yahoo=32600|espn=4408854|nfl=jody-fortson}}
- [https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/joe-fortson/ Kansas City Chiefs]
- [https://vstateblazers.com/sports/football/roster/joe-fortson/3377 Valdosta State Blazers bio]
{{Kansas City Chiefs roster navbox}}
{{2018 Valdosta State Blazers football navbox}}
{{Super Bowl LIV}}
{{Super Bowl LVII}}
{{Super Bowl LVIII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fortson, Jody}}
Category:Players of American football from Buffalo, New York
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Valdosta State Blazers football players