Joseph Fortson Bio
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr., commonly known as Jody Fortson, is an American professional football tight end who has built a championship resume since entering the National Football League (NFL) in 2019. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 107 kilograms, Fortson has carved out a role as a dependable pass-catching tight end after beginning his football journey as a wide receiver in college. He currently plays for the Miami Dolphins, having signed with the franchise in March 2024.
Despite going undrafted out of college, Fortson has enjoyed significant team success, winning three Super Bowl championships as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. His journey from junior college standout to multi-time champion reflects persistence and adaptability, traits that have defined his professional career to this point.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. was born on December 7, 1995, in Buffalo, New York, USA. He grew up in the Buffalo area and attended South Park High School, where he began developing the athletic foundation that would later carry him into competitive football. The city of Buffalo, known for its passionate sports culture, provided an early environment that nurtured Fortson’s interest in athletics.
Coming out of high school, Fortson was not heavily recruited at the Division I level, which led him to take the junior college route to further his football development. He continued his education and athletic training at Erie Community College, playing for the Erie Kats before eventually transferring to a four-year program. This pathway allowed him to refine his skills while maintaining his academic progress.
Path to Professional Football
After his time at Erie Community College, Fortson transferred to Valdosta State University, where he joined the Valdosta State Blazers football program. At Valdosta State, he played as a wide receiver and produced a strong statistical season, recording 37 receptions for 477 yards and 7 touchdowns across 19 games played. His production demonstrated the playmaking ability that professional scouts would later evaluate.
Fortson’s senior season at Valdosta State was abbreviated due to injury, but he still had the opportunity to be part of a championship-winning squad, as the Blazers captured the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2018. Following the conclusion of his college career, Fortson was selected to participate in both the Tropical Bowl and the College Gridiron Showcase all-star events, giving him valuable exposure against top senior talent from across the country. These experiences helped position him for an opportunity at the professional level despite not being selected in the NFL Draft.
Joseph Fortson Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2019, transitioning from wide receiver to tight end in the process. He was waived on August 31, 2019, but was quickly signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad the following day. Fortson spent the remainder of the 2019 season on the practice squad, learning the Chiefs’ offensive system and adjusting to his new position at the professional level. As a member of the organization, he earned his first Super Bowl championship when Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
Fortson re-signed with the Chiefs on February 5, 2020, and remained with the organization through that season, though he was again waived in early September before being signed back to the practice squad. This period allowed him to continue developing his blocking and route-running skills while contributing on the practice field each week.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Fortson signed a futures contract with the Chiefs on February 9, 2021, and made the active roster on August 31, 2021, marking a significant milestone in his professional career. He recorded his first career NFL reception against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 of the 2021 season, and followed it up the next week with his first career touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite appearing in only six games during the 2021 season and finishing with five receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns, Fortson showed enough promise to remain in the Chiefs’ long-term plans.
In the 2022 season, Fortson appeared in 13 games and recorded nine receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a rotational tight end within Kansas City’s offense. He suffered an elbow injury in Week 15 against the Houston Texans that ended his season, but he was on the roster when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles, earning his second Super Bowl championship.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024)
On March 15, 2024, Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. signed with the Miami Dolphins, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He was released by the Dolphins on August 25, 2024, however, as the team shaped its final roster for the regular season.
Kansas City Chiefs Return (2024)
Fortson returned to the Kansas City Chiefs on September 26, 2024, signing with their practice squad before being promoted to the active roster a week later. He was later placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2024, due to a knee injury. Though he was on injured reserve during the playoffs, Fortson was part of the Chiefs organization when they won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, giving him his third career Super Bowl championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a converted wide receiver playing tight end, Fortson brings reliable hands and route-running polish to the position, allowing him to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties. His combination of size, at 6 feet 4 inches and 107 kilograms, and receiver background makes him an effective target in the red zone and on intermediate routes. His adaptability has been a defining characteristic of his professional journey.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. has been part of three Super Bowl championship teams with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and Super Bowl LVIII. He also earned an NCAA Division II National Championship with Valdosta State in 2018. His first career NFL reception and touchdown both came during the early weeks of the 2021 season, marking his arrival as an active contributor at the highest level of professional football.
Joseph Fortson Career Wins
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. has accumulated championship success at multiple levels of football, beginning with the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2018 with the Valdosta State Blazers. At the professional level, he has been a member of three Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl-winning teams, establishing himself as a player who consistently finds himself in winning environments.
Professional Highlights
Fortson has been part of three Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs, including Super Bowl LIV, where he was a member of the practice squad, and Super Bowl LVII, where he was on the active roster. He was also with the Chiefs organization when they won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. His first NFL touchdown reception came against the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2021 season, signaling his emergence as a red-zone option.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his professional championships, Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. won an NCAA Division II National Championship with Valdosta State in 2018. His performance at the Tropical Bowl and College Gridiron Showcase all-star events following his senior season further highlighted his standing among top collegiate players that year.
Joseph Fortson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. grew up in Buffalo, New York, and attended South Park High School, where he developed the skills that carried him into competitive college football. Public information regarding his parents and extended family is limited, and details about his personal background outside of football have not been widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. maintains a presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle jodyfortsonjr. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not clearly documented in verified sources. His career remains the primary focus of his public profile as he continues his professional journey in the NFL.
2025 Season Outlook
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Joseph Demarius Fortson Jr. is positioned to compete for a roster spot as a tight end, drawing on his experience from two stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and his time with the Miami Dolphins. His versatility as a former wide receiver, combined with his size and red-zone experience, gives him a credible skill set to offer an NFL team in 2025.
Fortson’s three Super Bowl championships and history of contributing in regular-season and postseason play provide a strong résumé as he seeks to extend his career. Whether with Kansas City or another franchise, his familiarity with offensive systems and his track record of late-season team success make him a candidate to compete for an active roster role.
His ability to stay healthy and contribute on special teams will likely play a role in determining his 2025 opportunities, given the injuries that affected his 2023 and 2024 seasons. With continued development and durability, Fortson has the foundation to remain in the NFL in 2025.