Kory Curtis Signs with Seattle Seahawks
April 29, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1)
West Texas Desert Hawks News Release
The new AFL has had its first player to sign with an NFL team.
There has been some major preseason movement. QB Kory Curtis of the West Texas Desert Hawks has signed with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. Curtis had yet to report to training camp in Odessa due to invites from multiple NFL teams, but he does hold the honor of being the first player in the history of the West Texas franchise to sign with the NFL. He is also the first from this new iteration of the AFL.
"It feels great to be a part of an NFL roster because I know what it is like to not be picked."
College
Curtis called a myriad of places home in his collegiate years: Ohio State, Bryant University, and Gannon University. He was in a crowded QB room at Ohio State, hosting multiple current NFL quarterbacks. After deciding it was best for him to leave, he spent a year at Bryant before transferring to Gannon University.
Gannon was where he settled in, and Kurtis said he gained a great deal of respect for football at the Division II level. In two seasons at Gannon, he left his mark on the program's leaderboards, passing for over 5,000 yards and 47 touchdowns.
Post-College
After his final season at Gannon in 2022, Curtis embarked on a journey that would test his resilience and determination. He was invited to the BIG-12 pro day and declared for the 2023 draft but went unselected. Undeterred, he spent the next year in a whirlwind of training camps in a variety of leagues: XFL, CFL, and more. His first professional signing was with the Quad City Steamwheelers of the IFL.
However, he would get the call from Coach Siegfried of the Desert Hawks. Recognizing a better opportunity, he signed with West Texas. In a completely unforeseen twist, he would then get the call from the Seahawks right before he was to fly to Odessa.
Curtis is not just a strong-arm quarterback but a player who prides himself in the "cerebral" part of the game. He has a high level of game awareness and understanding, a quality that sets him apart. He says that during his senior year at Gannon, he called about 90% of the plays, showcasing his leadership and strategic thinking.
From no opportunities to massive opportunities, the work that he put in would be nothing without his family. Curtis gives the utmost praise to his wife for being an advocate of his journey, saying, "If you have a strong woman and a strong support system behind you, you have a strong man."
His faith in Jesus has been a guiding light, and he plans to use his platform to spread this message and uplift his family.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football One message board...
Arena Football One Stories from April 29, 2024
- Kory Curtis Signs with Seattle Seahawks - West Texas Desert Hawks
- Albany Firebirds Top Orlando Predators in OT Thriller 62-59 - Albany Firebirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
