Joe Fortunato (long snapper)

Joe Fortunato (born April 7, 1994) is an American football long snapper who is a free agent. He played college football at Delaware and has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals.

Joe Fortunato
Personal information
Born: (1994-04-07) April 7, 1994
Linwood, New Jersey
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Mainland Regional (NJ) (Atlantic County, New Jersey)
College:Delaware (2012–2015)
Position:Long snapper
Undrafted:2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and education

Fortunato was born on April 7, 1994, in Linwood, New Jersey. He attended Mainland Regional High School, competing in football, baseball, and basketball. On the football team, he played quarterback, tight end, and long snapper, helping them win the state championship in 2008. In baseball, he was a first baseman and pitcher, and led his school to a 13–5 mark as a senior. He was a forward in basketball and helped them achieve a 19–4 record in his only year with the team. He was a National Honor Society Student.[1]

Fortunato enrolled at the University of Delaware. As a true freshman in 2012, he earned the long snapper duties and appeared in all 11 games. He recorded two tackles on punts. As a sophomore, he again played in all 11 games. As a junior, Fortunato added long snapping duties for field goals, as he previously only was on punts. He made two tackles in the season. He appeared in every game as a senior.[1]

Professional career

Fortunato went unselected in the 2016 NFL Draft. He received a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was not signed.[2]

Indianapolis Colts

On March 23, 2017, he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts, but was waived on May 1.[3][4] In 2018, he received a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons, but was not signed.[2] He was invited to mini-camp with the New York Giants in 2019, but was not given a contract.[2]

Dallas Cowboys

On April 30, 2020, after competing in the specialists combine in 2020, Fortunato was signed by the Dallas Cowboys,[5] but was released on August 1.[4]

Green Bay Packers

On March 24, 2021, he was signed by the Green Bay Packers, and was released during training camp on August 5, 2021.[6]

Denver Broncos

On October 12, 2022, Fortunato was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad,[7] but was released three days later.[8]

Arizona Cardinals

Fortunato signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals on January 11, 2023.[9] On June 6, Fortunato was released by the Cardinals after the team re–signed Aaron Brewer.[10]

References
  1. "Joe Fortunato – Football – University of Delaware Athletics". BlueHens.com.
  2. Huber, Bill (April 7, 2021). "Fortune Finally Smiles on New Long Snapper Fortunato". Sports Illustrated.
  3. Hickey, Kevin (March 23, 2017). "Colts sign LS Joe Fortunato". coltswire.com. usatoday.com. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  4. "Joe Fortunato". Sports Forecaster.
  5. Alper, Josh (April 30, 2020). "Cowboys sign LS Joe Fortunato, cut Chris Covington and D.J. White". profootballtalk.com. nbcsports.com. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  6. "Packers release LS Joe Fortunato". Packers.com. August 5, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  7. Klis, Mike (October 11, 2022). "Fortunato, Fraboni compete for Broncos long snapper". 9news.com. NBC.
  8. DiLalla, Aric (October 15, 2022). "Broncos sign TE Dalton Keene to practice squad, release LS Joe Fortunato from practice squad". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  9. Urban, Darren (January 11, 2023). "Bernhard Seikovits Among 14 'Futures' Cardinals Sign For 2023". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  10. "Cardinals Bring Back Long Snapper Aaron Brewer". azcardinals.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
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