Six Facts About John Ross:
- John Ross is a former wide receiver who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Giants in the NFL. He is best known for running the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Combine history, clocking 4.22 seconds in 2017
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- Ross was born on November 27, 1995, in Long Beach, California. He played college football at the University of Washington, where he was a first-team All-American and the AP Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2016¹.
- Ross was drafted by the Bengals with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. However, he struggled with injuries, inconsistency, and confidence issues throughout his four seasons with the Bengals. He requested a trade in 2020 and became a free agent in 2021¹.
- Ross signed a one-year deal with the Giants in 2021, hoping to revive his career with a new team and quarterback. However, he suffered another injury in training camp and was placed on injured reserve. He played only five games for the Giants, catching 11 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown².
- Ross’ decision to retire came as a surprise to many fans and analysts who expected him to join the Kansas City Chiefs after being waived by the Giants on November 2. The Chiefs claimed him off waivers on November 3, but Ross told them that he was retiring on November 26³. The reasons behind his retirement are unclear, but some speculate that he may have lost his passion for the game or faced personal issues.
- Ross ends his NFL career with a stat line of 63 catches, 963 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 38 games². He also holds the record for the fastest time ever recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine¹. His speed and talent will always be remembered by football fans who witnessed his brief but remarkable journey in the league.