A winning NFL franchise isn’t made by bold-faced names alone. If it was, Barry Sanders and Dan Marino are the ones who would have Super Bowl rings—not Jody Fortson.
Fortson is a Chiefs practice squad player, a product of Valdosta State who won his job with the Chiefs at a minicamp tryout. The combo wideout-tight end has turned heads at training camp and lasted two years on the team’s practice squad, a group of reserves that reenact opposing teams’ plays at practices and serve as a deep bench when a team is hit by a rash of injuries—or, this season, Covid exposures.
Standing six-foot-six speed and with a highlight reel that includes some crazy one-handed catches against undersized Division II defenders, Fortson has captured the imagination of the type of hard-core Chiefs fans who obsess over training camp battles and blocking schemes. We talked to the Buffalo native about his time in KC and his dreams of someday taking up modeling.
How are you liking Kansas City?
To be honest with you, Kansas City reminds me a lot of [my hometown] Buffalo. It’s really tight-knit. It’s a real loving atmosphere around here. Fans represent Buffalo in the sense of how they ride or die for their team, and I definitely get that same sense here. Being here is truly like being at a home away from home.
Being from Buffalo, what do you think of the wings in Kansas City?
I’m going to be honest with you: I haven’t found a place here where the crisp is just right. In Buffalo, we have Anchor Bar, Duff’s and 716, which is a little bit downtown past the Sabres’ arena. The crispiness on the wings is the perfect amount of crunchy.
I will say, however, that the barbecue here is second to none. I am a big Q39 fan, and they definitely set it off for me.
When you’re not in the gym or practicing, what are you doing?
I’m starting to get into modeling and even taking pictures—I want to get behind the camera. I’m in the process of trying everything. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll make it out to Hollywood to be an actor.
Growing up, who was your favorite player?
Randy Moss is my all-time favorite player. The way he would sprint, dunk and jump over people—I’ve never seen another human do that. I always thought he was like a superhero.
Kansas City Favorites
Initial sneaker shop at Crown Center
“They have a whole bunch of kicks. I’m a big sneaker guy and it’s one of my favorite places.”
“This is a big thing for me. I love going to the movies, and it’s one thing that I miss doing as much.”
“A Floridian French Toast and a Morning Meditation are must-haves for me. I’m on a first-name basis here.”
