Sometimes life hits you hard, and sometimes it feels like it runs you over with a truck. For Porter Ellett, it literally did. The Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant running backs coach has a story that’s so incredible, it almost sounds like a movie script. A small-town kid from Utah loses his arm in a freak accident, becomes a star athlete with one arm, and rises to coach in the NFL alongside legends like Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
It’s the kind of journey that makes you believe in grit, resilience, and a touch of destiny. Porter didn’t just overcome adversity—he stared it down, cracked a joke, and kept moving forward. Let’s dive into the unbelievable story of how a devastating accident transformed his life and propelled him to NFL greatness.
A Life-Changing Accident at Age Five
Porter Ellett’s story begins in Loa, Utah, a tiny town where he grew up. One ordinary morning, his father, Jan Ellett, loaded a motorcycle into the back of his pickup truck. Five-year-old Porter, curious and playful, climbed onto the motorcycle as the truck moved. While trying to get down, the truck hit a bump, and Porter fell out, striking his head on a rock.
The accident left Porter with a severe head injury and irreversible nerve damage in his right shoulder. Doctors informed his family that Porter would never regain movement in his right arm. Despite the bleak diagnosis, Porter and his family refused to let the accident define his future.
The Toughest Decision: Amputation at 16
After years of enduring the physical and emotional challenges of living with a non-functional arm, Porter made a bold decision at age 16. He opted to have his right arm amputated.
“If I didn’t amputate it, I thought it would cause me not to progress. So I was like, alright, let’s get rid of this,” Porter recalls. The decision marked a turning point, freeing him to focus on excelling in life without the limitations caused by his injury.
A Star Athlete Against All Odds
Porter Ellett didn’t let the loss of his arm stop him from pursuing sports. In high school, he played both basketball and baseball. He not only competed but thrived.
In baseball, he earned district MVP honors and was named a first-team all-Utah player during his senior year. His basketball team clinched a regional championship, bringing him national attention. His determination to succeed with just one arm inspired everyone around him.
Meeting Andy Reid: The Start of an NFL Journey
Porter’s path to the NFL began in an unlikely way—through a family connection. Andy Reid’s son-in-law, Devin Woodhouse, introduced Porter to Reid. Impressed by his resilience and work ethic, Reid invited Porter to his house.
Porter joked about being Reid’s “right-hand man” despite missing a right hand. Reid responded with humor, saying, “You’ll be my left-hand man.” True to his word, Andy Reid hired Porter Ellett in 2017 as his personal assistant.
Rising Through the Ranks in Kansas City
Porter’s work ethic and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. He started as Reid’s assistant, learning the ropes of the NFL. By 2020, he had been promoted to an offensive quality control coach, contributing to the Chiefs’ offensive success. In 2022, he became the assistant running backs coach, playing a crucial role in developing the team’s rushing game.
A Bond with Patrick Mahomes
Ellett’s impact on the Chiefs extends beyond coaching. He shares a special connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Before every game, Porter helps Mahomes warm up, catching passes despite having only one arm.
“He brings energy. He never has a bad day,” Mahomes said in a 2022 NFL Films feature. Mahomes believes Porter has what it takes to become an NFL head coach one day.
