John Ross Bio
John Ellis Ross III (born November 27, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver known for his rare speed. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected ninth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ross first gained national attention when he ran a record-breaking 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, establishing himself as one of the fastest players in league history.
Across his NFL career, Ross has spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles. His professional journey has combined standout moments with perseverance through injuries and roster changes. A former Pac-12 Player of the Year and First-team All-American, Ross continues to pursue opportunities at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
John Ellis Ross III was born on November 27, 1995, in Long Beach, California. As a child, he played in Snoop Dogg’s All-Star youth football league, an early experience that helped spark his interest in the game. Growing up in Southern California, Ross was surrounded by a deep athletic culture that encouraged his development in multiple sports.
Ross attended Jordan High School in Long Beach, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback while also competing on the track team. As a senior, he finished third in the 100 metres at the 2013 CIF Southern Section Division 1 final, clocking 10.66 seconds, and recorded a time of 21.56 seconds in the 200 metres. Rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN, he was ranked the No. 49 overall prospect in California and ultimately committed to the University of Washington.
Path to American Football
Ross arrived at the University of Washington as a true freshman in 2013 and quickly contributed on offense and special teams. He finished his first year with 16 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 720 kick return yards and a score. His versatility as both a receiver and returner made him a valuable piece of the Huskies’ plans.
In 2014, Ross took another step forward, posting 17 receptions for 371 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver, while leading the nation with 938 kickoff return yards and two return touchdowns. He missed the entire 2015 season after tearing his ACL during spring practices, a major setback that tested his resolve. Returning healthy in 2016, he earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named Pac-12 Player of the Year. On January 3, 2017, he announced his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.
John Ross Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Ross was selected in the first round, ninth overall, by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft, becoming the third wide receiver taken after Corey Davis and Mike Williams. He signed a four-year, $17.1 million contract with a $10.6 million signing bonus. His rookie season was disrupted by injuries, as a knee issue forced him to miss games early and a shoulder injury sent him to injured reserve in December, limiting him to just two carries.
In 2018, Ross produced his first full NFL season with 21 receptions for 210 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He recorded his first professional touchdown in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on a three-yard reception. Although the Bengals finished the year without a playoff berth, Ross flashed the deep-play ability that had made him a top draft pick.
Bengals Breakthrough (2019)
Ross opened the 2019 season with two of the most productive games of his career. In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, he posted seven catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, he added four catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, giving him more receiving yards in two games than his first two NFL seasons combined.
A shoulder injury landed Ross on injured reserve in early October 2019, but he returned to action in December. He finished the season with 28 receptions for 506 receiving yards and three touchdowns, showing he could be a vertical threat when healthy. Despite the injury setbacks, the campaign marked his most productive stretch as a pro.
Later Bengals Years (2020)
On May 2, 2020, the Bengals declined the fifth-year option on Ross’s contract. He spent part of training camp on the reserve/COVID-19 list after leaving to care for his son, who tested positive for the virus. In October 2020, Ross publicly stated he had requested a trade, though he was not moved before the deadline. A foot injury in practice ended his season in November, and he finished 2020 with only two receptions for 17 yards.
New York Giants (2021)
Ross signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the New York Giants on March 19, 2021. He began the year on injured reserve before being activated in early October. In a Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints, he recorded three catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, his first significant action of the season. Across ten appearances in 2021, he totaled 11 receptions for 224 yards and one touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs (2023)
On January 9, 2023, Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. He informed the team of his retirement on July 26 and was placed on the reserve/retired list. On November 27, 2023, Ross announced he was coming out of retirement, and the Chiefs waived him the same day, returning him to free agency.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024-Present)
Ross signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on May 23, 2024. He was released on August 27, re-signed to the practice squad on September 24, and released again on December 3. His time in Philadelphia reflected his ongoing effort to carve out a role while navigating the realities of roster turnover at the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ross’s signature achievement came at the 2017 NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash, breaking Chris Johnson’s previous record of 4.24 seconds. The mark stood as the Combine record for seven years until Xavier Worthy ran 4.21 seconds in 2024. Ross also earned consensus All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2016, along with the NCAA kickoff return yards title in 2014, cementing his reputation as one of the most explosive athletes of his draft class.
John Ross Career Wins
Across his NFL career, John Ross has accumulated multiple touchdown receptions while playing for four franchises. His most productive season statistically came in 2019 with the Cincinnati Bengals, when he recorded 28 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns in an injury-shortened campaign.
Bengals Highlights
Ross scored his first NFL touchdown in the 2018 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts and added six more that year. In 2019, he produced two consecutive 100-yard games to start the season, signaling his potential as a deep threat. He finished his Bengals tenure with multiple receiving scores and a reputation for stretching opposing defenses.
Other Wins and Performances
With the New York Giants in 2021, Ross caught a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, one of the highlights of his lone season with the team. Although his time in Kansas City and Philadelphia did not produce regular-season statistics, his continued pursuit of an NFL roster spot reflects a career defined by persistence.
John Ross Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Limited public information is available about John Ross’s parents or immediate family background beyond his Long Beach upbringing. He has spoken publicly about his son, who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 and prompted Ross to leave Cincinnati’s training camp. His personal life has remained largely private, with much of his public focus centered on his professional football career.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering 2025, John Ross remains a free agent after his release from the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in December 2024. His combination of sub-4.3 speed and prior production continues to draw interest from teams in need of vertical receiving help, though he must prove he can stay healthy.
Ross’s path back to a 53-man roster likely hinges on a strong showing in offseason workouts or training camp. Teams value his experience across multiple offensive systems and his proven ability to stretch the field. A return to form in 2025 would mark a notable comeback for a player whose career has been shaped as much by resilience as by raw athletic talent.