Achilles HEAL! By Phillip Maxwell
To say that I am “looking forward” to Jody Fortson’s return to the playing field would be an
understatement. For example, I look forward to my morning coffee. Or, I’m looking forward to getting
through tax season with all my limbs still intact.
“No,” I’d have to say. I am well beyond the looking forward stage when it comes to Jody’s return and has moved on to excited anticipation, which one might describe as a “state of giddiness. After the draft and the Rookie Minicamp, everyone’s attention quite naturally turned upon the incoming young players the Chiefs drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft or signed as UDFAs (and rightfully so). I’m over here obsessing over any updates on Jody’s recovery that I can get my hands on.
Yesterday was my Grandson’s birthday. So the entire famn damily decides to go out to dinner and celebrate—12 Raiders fans and me at the table. As always, the topic of football came up. The usual Theme is for me to listen to their blind optimism about the upcoming season that always follows when conversing with Raider Fans. I have to give them credit for staying faithful through such a long dry spell.
I asked for their attention and said, I want you to remember this name, and I told them Jody “Joe” Fortson. Collectively they asked, “who”? and I repeated his name, Jody Fortson. “Never heard of him,” was their reply, to which I retorted, “you will, and you are about to hear the man’s name a lot!”
The Valdosta State product didn’t splash onto the Kansas City scene. Fortson was signed by the Chiefs as a UDFA and was initially cut back in 2019. At 6’ 6” and 230 pounds, he wasn’t ready. The WR/TE hybrid still had a lot of work to do on his footwork and hand positioning, but he kept hearing the voice of his trainer saying, “you didn’t get this far to get this far” to keep him motivated.
Countless hours of hard work, training, and 20 pounds of muscle later, the now 6’6” 250-pound Fortson earned the opportunity he had worked hard for his entire life. On August 31st, 2021, with a smile that could light up the world, Jody talked about how his dream of making the 53-man roster for the Kansas City Chiefs had finally come true.
I received a pre-season glimpse of what Jody was capable of doing during a preseason match-up with the San Francisco 49ers early last season in a game that I attended.
Video of the catch, here: https://www.nfl.com/videos/jody-fortson-casually-snags-one-hand-grab-on-19-yard-pickup
On a sweet little crossing route, and looking like an MLB Center fielder shagging a routine fly ball and with one outstretched hand, he snagged a pass from Shane Buechele before being forced out at the 8-yard line by the 49ers defense. It was gorgeous.
Simply gorgeous.
On September 28th, 2021, Jody scored his first official touchdown against the Chargers. It was a beautifully designed, rarely used 3-Tight End set that disguised Fortson as a blocker for a goal line running play. Perfectly executed, he faked the block to the outside, then turned inside, splitting the defenders to catch a high “Fortson or nobody” pass from Mahomes. It was becoming clear to the coaches and fans alike that this guy needed more opportunities. See the video here:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Fortson+climbs+ladder+chargers+game&docid=608043644310879111&mid=C5A827B342F6F8AD7F97C5A827B342F6F8AD7F97&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Three weeks later, on October 17th, 2021, in a game against the Washington whatever’s, Fortson removed all doubt that he was ready to play a vital role in the Chief’s offense when he climbed what some called the imaginary ladder by going up and grabbing a 27-yard reception over the head of Washington DB Collins.
It looked like Randy Moss was in the house! See another “Mossing It Up” catch video here:
https://www.chiefs.com/video/jody-fortson-mosses-washington-db-on-27-yard-grab
The Chief’s cupboard has been bare of a 50/50 type receiver for as long as I can remember. Except my prediction is this guy has the potential to be an 80/20 guy–just throw the ball in the man’s direction, and all 6’ 6” 250 pounds of him will go up and get it!
Another example is an over-the-top Catch versus the Packers.
Unfortunately, later in that same game against Washington, Fortson was injured on a non-contact play. Andy Reid later that day told the Press that Jody had torn his Left Achilles, which turned out to be season-ending.
The good news is that updates from the Chiefs camp show Jody is healing nicely. Andy Reid had this to say about the situation a few days ago:
“There’s a chance you can get him in phase three,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday, via audio from arrowheadpride.com. “We’ll just have to see how that goes—if not, training camp. He’s done very well with his rehab. He’s another one of those who goes 100 mph per hour and wants to get going, but you have to be smart with that, too.”
Assuming the Chiefs keep four Tight Ends on the 53-man roster, I have to guess it will look like this: Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Jody Fortson, and Noah Gray–not necessarily in that order because, in my opinion, Fortson solidifies his role as the #2 TE.
Don’t get me wrong, Jody doesn’t come without his shortcomings. For example, he grew up a Bills fan…haha! Yeah.
But I think he had earned forgiveness for such an oversite when during a game last September 2nd, the Mic’d up Fortson yelled out, “Wearing this red makes me feel alive!”
Patrick will have his share of target options in the post-Tyreek Hill era. Mecole Hardman (24), along with the addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster (25) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (27), will bring a veteran presence. My opinion is Skyy Moore, Daurice Fountain, and Justyn Ross (yes, he makes the 53) share playing time. Corey Coleman gets sent down, and Josh Gordon’s days as a Chief end.
Of course, Travis Kelce will remain Patrick’s favorite target, but I expect a break-out year from one Jody Fortson.
He’s on his way back! Go Chiefs!
Phillip Maxwell – ArrowheadOne