The Kansas City Chiefs have two wide receivers on their roster who share the same last name: Justyn Ross and John Ross. Both of them are talented and speedy players who can make big plays on the field. But are they related by blood or just by coincidence?
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The backgrounds of Justyn Ross and John Ross
Justyn Ross was born in Phoenix, Alabama on December 15, 1999, to Charay Franklin, who was only 16 years old at the time. He attended Central High School in Phenix City, where he excelled in football and basketball. He was a four-star recruit and ranked among the top 50 prospects nationwide. He received offers from several Division I colleges, including Alabama, Auburn, Duke, and Florida State. However, he chose to play for Clemson, where he became a star receiver for the Tigers.
John Ross was born in Long Beach, California on November 27, 1995, to John Ross II. He started playing football at a young age, participating in the Snoop Dogg All-Star League in his hometown. He also ran track and played football at Jordan High School in Long Beach. He was also a four-star recruit and ranked among the top 50 prospects nationwide. He committed to playing for Washington, where he showcased his blazing speed and versatility as a receiver, returner, and cornerback.
The NFL careers of Justyn Ross and John Ross
John Ross was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He came into the league with high expectations, having set the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a time of 4.22 seconds. However, injuries hampered his development and production with the Bengals, limiting him to only 27 games and 51 catches in four seasons. He signed with the Chiefs as a free agent in March 2023, hoping to revive his career with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.
Justyn Ross went undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, despite being projected as a first-round pick before his junior season at Clemson. He missed the entire 2020 season due to a congenital spinal condition that required surgery. He returned to Clemson for his senior season in 2021, but suffered a knee injury that ended his college career prematurely. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in May 2023, betting on his talent and potential to make the roster.
According to Sportskeeda, there is no familial relationship between Justyn Ross and John Ross. They just happen to share the same surname and play the same position for the same team. They also have different backgrounds, coming from different states and playing for different colleges.
However, they do have some similarities, such as their speed, athleticism, and injury history. They also have earned the praise of their head coach Andy Reid, who said he likes both of them, Reid also noted that Justyn Ross is coming along well after his foot surgery and that John Ross is extremely fast and smart.
Justyn Ross and John Ross are both looking to prove themselves with the Chiefs in 2023. They are competing for spots on a crowded depth chart that includes Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, Cornell Powell, Marcus Kemp, Antonio Callaway, Gehrig Dieter, Maurice Ffrench, Dalton Schoen, Darrius Shepherd, and Tajae Sharpe3. They will have to impress in training camp and preseason games to make the final cut.
