L. J. Fort
{{Short description|American football player (born 1990)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = L. J. Fort
| image = L.J. Fort 2020.jpg
| caption = Fort with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020
| current_team =
| number = 58, 44, 54
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|1|3}}
| birth_place = Granite City, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 232
| high_school = Waynesville
(Waynesville, Missouri)
| college = Northern Iowa
| undraftedyear = 2012
| teams =
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2012}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2013}})*
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2014}})
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2014}}-{{NFL Year|2015}})*
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2015}})*
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
| status =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 173
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 5.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 3
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 1
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 2
| pfr = FortL.00
}}
Larry Fort Jr. (born January 3, 1990) is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at Northern Iowa and was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Fort was also a member of the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens.
College career
Fort was a three-year starter at Northern Iowa as an outside linebacker. He was a second-team Missouri Valley Football Conference selection in 2010. The following season, Fort was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and was named a finalist for the NCAA FCS National Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
|height ft = 6
|height in = 0
|weight = 228
|dash = 4.67
|ten split = 1.58
|twenty split = 2.58
|shuttle = 4.35
|cone drill = 7.15
|vertical = 38
|broad ft = 9
|broad in = 11
|bench = 24
|wonderlic =
|arm span =
|hand span =
|note = All values from Northern Iowa's Pro Day{{Cite web |title=L.J. Fort, DS #65 OLB, Northern Iowa |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=114654&draftyear=2012&genpos=OLB |access-date=January 19, 2018 |website=nfldraftscout.com}}
}}
=Cleveland Browns=
Fort signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent and made the 53-man roster for the 2012 regular season opener.
Fort started for the Browns in Week 1 due to injuries to Chris Gocong, James-Michael Johnson, and Emmanuel Acho. He had his first career interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in that game, picking off Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick.
Fort played in all 16 regular season games for the Browns, finishing his rookie season with 20 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception.
=Denver Broncos=
Fort signed a future reserve contract with the Denver Broncos on December 31, 2013. He was released by the Broncos on August 29, 2014.
=Seattle Seahawks=
On October 22, 2014, Fort was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Fort signed with the team as a fullback. He was activated for one regular season game in 2014.{{Cite web |title=Seahawks sign LB L.J. Fort and FB Will Tukuafu |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/seahawks-sign-lb-lj-fort-and-fb-will-tukuafu/}}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
On November 26, 2014, Fort was signed to the Bengals' practice squad. He was released on April 29, 2015.{{Cite web |title=Bengals waive LB L.J. Fort |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bengals-waive-lb-lj-fort/}}
=New England Patriots=
On August 4, 2015, Fort signed with the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |date=2015-08-04 |title=Report: Patriots sign linebacker L.J. Fort |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/report-patriots-sign-linebacker-lj-fort/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=CBSSports.com}} Fort was released on August 18, 2015.
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On August 19, 2015, Fort signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fort was released on September 5 and was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 28 to replace injured fullback Roosevelt Nix for the team's final game.{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2015 |title=Steelers sign 10 players to the Practice Squad |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-sign-10-players-to-the-Practice-Squad/440b725c-0c6b-4ffc-8651-8dffa804e7b9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904200956/http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-sign-10-players-to-the-Practice-Squad/440b725c-0c6b-4ffc-8651-8dffa804e7b9 |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |access-date=January 31, 2017 |website=Steelers.com}}
Fort was released by the Steelers on November 12, 2016, but was re-signed three days later.{{Cite web |last=Varley, Teresa |date=November 12, 2016 |title=Steelers activate Green |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-activate-Green/87d1a69f-9105-4df6-be83-0174e179c830 |website=Steelers.com |access-date=November 12, 2016 |archive-date=November 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113115725/http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-activate-Green/87d1a69f-9105-4df6-be83-0174e179c830 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Steelers Place Johnson on IR; Re-Sign Fort |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-Place-Johnson-on-IR-Re-Sign-Fort/df625434-3148-4630-a460-2fcd07aec8e4 |website=Steelers.com}}
On September 12, 2017, Fort was waived by the Steelers and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=Varley, Teresa |date=September 12, 2017 |title=Steelers re-sign Johnson |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-4/Steelers-re-sign-Johnson/e22694ab-5220-4015-a265-766f53dc77f9 |website=Steelers.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 23, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Varley, Teresa |date=September 23, 2017 |title=Steelers promote Fort to active roster |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-4/Steelers-promote-Fort-to-active-roster/30ce781d-68ee-42e4-acd3-ad9ba3d175c2 |website=Steelers.com}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On March 14, 2019, Fort signed a three-year $5.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Eagles sign linebacker L.J. Fort to a 3-year contract |url=https://www.philly.com/eagles/lj-fort-eagles-sign-free-agency-news-20190314.html |website=Philly.com}} He was released on September 27, 2019, after four games.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=September 27, 2019 |title=Eagles bring back CB Orlando Scandrick |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-bring-back-cb-orlando-scandrick |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
On September 30, 2019, Fort was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2019 |title=Eagles release LB L.J. Fort, signs with Ravens |url=https://fox43.com/2019/09/30/eagles-release-lb-l-j-fort-signs-with-ravens/ |website=fox43.com}} On October 13, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Fort made his first start as a Raven, registering 2 tackles and a pass defense. During the Ravens 30–16 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Fort registered six tackles, including two for loss, a quarterback hit and his first quarterback sack as a Raven. On November 8, 2019, he signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension with the Ravens after becoming the starter due to injury.{{Cite web |last=Shook, Nick |date=November 8, 2019 |title=Ravens sign LB L.J. Fort to two-year, $5.5M extension |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001074487/article/ravens-sign-lb-lj-fort-to-twoyear-55m-extension |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108195943/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001074487/article/ravens-sign-lb-lj-fort-to-twoyear-55m-extension |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |website=NFL.com}} On December 8, 2019, Fort sacked Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen on a crucial third down late in the fourth quarter.{{Cite web |title=58 L.J. Fort |url=http://ftp.ravenspr.com/bio_updates_player/fort_lj.pdf |access-date=December 26, 2019 |website=baltimoreravens.com |publisher=Baltimore Ravens}}
In Week 1 of the 2020 season against the Cleveland Browns, Fort forced a fumble on punter Jamie Gillan and later recovered a fumble lost by running back Nick Chubb during the 38–6 win.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens - September 13th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009130rav.htm |access-date=September 18, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In Week 2, against the Houston Texans, he had a 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the 33–16 victory.{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans - September 20th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009200htx.htm |access-date=September 22, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 3, 2020,{{cite news |title=Ravens place Judon, Queen, 5 others on Reserve/COVID 19 list |url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-virus-outbreak-terrell-bonds-marlon-humphrey-football-b402b6dfc558f0e57e0f359d0d62b3b0 |website=APNews.com |date=November 3, 2020 |accessdate=December 2, 2020}} and activated four days later.{{cite news |author=Hensley, Jamison |title=Baltimore Ravens activate six defenders off reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30271899/baltimore-ravens-activate-six-defenders-reserve-covid-19-list |website=ESPN.com |date=November 7, 2020 |accessdate=December 2, 2020}}
At the start of the 2021 new league year, Baltimore chose not to pick up Fort's option for 2021, allowing him to become a free agent.{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Matthew |date=18 March 2021 |title=LB L.J. Fort becomes free agent as Ravens don't pick up 2021 option |url=https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2021/03/18/baltimore-ravens-l-j-fort-2021-nfl-free-agency/ |access-date=24 March 2021 |website=Ravens Wire|publisher=USA Today}} He re-signed with the team on a one-year contract on April 2, 2021.{{cite news |author=Mink, Ryan |title=Ravens Bring Back L.J. Fort on a One-Year Deal |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-bring-back-l-j-fort-on-a-one-year-deal |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |date=April 2, 2021 |access-date=April 2, 2021}}{{cite web |title=2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April |url=https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/2021/4 |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 2, 2021}} In 2021, Fort changed his jersey number from #58 to #3 following the relaxation of the NFL's jersey number rules.
In the second quarter of the Week 2 preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Fort tore his ACL, prematurely ending his season.{{cite web | last=Mink | first=Ryan | title=L.J. Fort Will Miss Season With Torn ACL | website=Baltimore Ravens| date=2021-08-23 | url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/l-j-fort-knee-injury-does-not-look-good | access-date=2024-12-31}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 23, 2021.{{cite web | last=Mink | first=Ryan | title=Ravens Make Five Roster Moves Ahead of Deadline | website=Baltimore Ravens | date=2021-08-23 | url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-make-four-roster-moves-ahead-of-deadline | access-date=2024-12-31}}
=NFL career statistics=
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="5"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | Sfty | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD |
| 2012 || CLE
| 16 || 16 || 20 || 11 || 7 || 1.0 || 0 || 1 || 10 || 10 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 || CIN
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 || PIT
| 14 || 14 || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 || PIT
| 15 || 15 || 11 || 8 || 2 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 || PIT
| 15 || 15 || 48 || 30 || 10 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 || BAL
| 16 || 16 || 35 || 19 || 15 || 2.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 || BAL
| 14 || 14 || 53 || 30 || 21 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FortL.00.htm Career] || 91 || 91 || 171 || 90 || 56 || 5.0 || 0 || 1 || 10 || 10 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.unipanthers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26200&ATCLID=205206086 Northern Iowa Panthers bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fort, LJ}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Northern Iowa Panthers football players
Category:People from Waynesville, Missouri
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players