When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! And that’s exactly what Porter Ellett, the Chiefs’ assistant running backs coach, did. The success you see on the field doesn’t just happen by chance. It’s the result of everyone involved in the team, contributing their part. We’ve all heard enough about the Chiefs’ successful season by now, but let’s take a step back and focus on the story of a man from Loa, Utah, who didn’t let anything get in the way of chasing his dreams.

Porter Ellett was just five years old when an accident completely changed his life. It was just a usual morning for the Ellett family. His dad, Jan Ellett, was heading somewhere in his pickup truck to run some errands. Porter asked his dad if he could accompany him. Jan had kept a motorcycle in the back of his truck, and Porter climbed on it while the vehicle was still moving. As Porter was getting off the bike, the truck hit a bump, causing him to fall out and hit his head on a rock.

Porter was immediately airlifted to Salt Lake City after the accident. The fall left him with a head injury and severe nerve damage in his right shoulder. After running all the tests, doctors broke the tough news to his family that he would never be able to move his right arm again. The family was devastated by the news. Then, at 16, Porter made the tough decision to have his 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,” recalls the Chiefs coach.

He played both baseball and basketball in high school, even with one arm. He also won district MVP honors in baseball. Porter attended Brigham Young University, where he met Carlie, his future wife. He was working at Goldman Sachs, when one day Carlie asked him, “What is it that you think about when you have nothing else you need to think about?” Porter’s reply: Sports!

How did Porter Ellett meet Andy Reid?

Andy Reid met Porter Ellett through his son-in-law, Devin Woodhouse. He was friends with him. Devin suggested to his father-in-law that he would make a great coach. Andy invited Porter to his house. After meeting him, he told Porter that if there will be an opening, he will get him on board.

Luckily, soon the KC Chiefs head coach hired Porter as his assistant. He started as Reid’s personal assistant. Reid told him, “You’ll be my right-hand man.” Hearing this Porter, joked, if he is okay having a man who does not have a right hand as his right-hand man. To which the HC replied, “You’ll be my left-hand man.” Hired by the Chiefs in 2017, as Andy Reid’s personal assistant, he was then promoted to Chiefs’ assistant running backs coach.

Moving on, Porter shares a great bond with the QB Patrick Mahomes. He often catches the ball for Mahomes when he warm-ups. An inspirational story indeed! Porter recently shared how proud he is to silence those who bet against him and bashed Andy Reid’s decision to hire him. His success as a coach with the Chiefs speaks for itself. And that’s a perfect reply to the haters.