K.C. Chiefs fan favorite Jody Fortson went down with a non-contact injury in the third quarter in Week 6 in the team’s game against the Washington Football Team. As he was carted off the field, teammates from the Chiefs sideline came over to wish him well as did a few members of WFT’s own roster. They weren’t the only ones as Chiefs Twitter also came alive to share their frustrations and well wishes for Fortson.
Shortly after he was taken off the field, the team came back with a very quick injury designation of an Achilles injury for Fortson—a tragic diagnosis, to be sure.
Fortson signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State back in 2019 and made the team’s practice squad, which was a nice story in itself. Fortson then went on to make the team for another year on the practice squad as he continued to develop into the sort of dynamic big-bodied receiver that the Chiefs clearly envisioned.
This year, then, Fortson was able to make the active roster despite the fact that the club was also keeping three other tight ends like Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, and Noah Gray. It was one of the biggest stories of the Chiefs preseason, and Fortson then rewarded the Chiefs for their trust in him in limited action so far this season with two touchdown catches through the first five games. Even in Week 6, he came up big with a tremendous sideline grab that turned the heads of everyone.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1449785567189692418
Unfortunately Fortson then went down on the following play.
#Chiefs Jody Fortson is being carted off the field
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 17, 2021
Had a really great play earlier.pic.twitter.com/XYi0BVJJOy
The outpouring of grief from Chiefs Kingdom came quickly as fans and media members alike hated to see an injury to anyone, but especially someone so beloved as Fortson.
Both teams showing #Chiefs Jody Fortson some love pic.twitter.com/V1ZvnKZvdS
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) October 17, 2021
Jody Fortson is being carted off the field. Heartbreaking,
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) October 17, 2021
Poor Jody Fortson. The guy has been the brightest light in a horrid season, and now he appears really hurt
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 17, 2021
Given the journey Jody Fortson has had to the NFL and now finally finding the field and success, that is heartbreaking to see. Wish the best for that young man.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) October 17, 2021
Hate to see that for Jody Fortson .. appeared to trip on the grass, but didn't immediately get up.
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) October 17, 2021
Absolutely gutted for Jody Fortson, man. So sad. Seems like such a great person and was just starting to emerge as a player.
— Jordan Foote (@footenoted) October 17, 2021
Jody Fortson is one of the last guys who deserved that, man
— Sam Hays (@WichitaChiefSam) October 17, 2021
Sounds like #Chiefs TE Jody Fortson has torn his Achilles. So sad, was a great story of an undrafted guy working hard to make an impact #KCvsWAS
— Jeff Fedotin (@JFedotin) October 17, 2021
It happens that fast. Suddenly, the Jody Fortson era is over, possibly for good. Sadly, a player like that might never get back to the league if he misses a whole season or thereabouts. Rough for that kid.
— smugdingus (@smugdingus) October 17, 2021