Early in the second quarter of Seattle's Week 15 game against the 49ers, Poona Ford shot past his blocker and into the 49ers backfield where he tackled Jeff Wilson Jr. for a 1-yard loss. In the third quarter, Ford did it again, tackling Matt Breida for a 3-yard loss. Finally, in overtime, Ford recorded his third tackle for loss in the game, and sixth tackle overall, dropping Breida for a 5-yard loss.
After two of those plays, Ford celebrated by rubbing his belly with a big grin on his face, and who can blame the rookie defensive tackle for enjoying himself and celebrating a few big plays. After all, there are plenty of people who didn't think Ford would be on an NFL roster right now, let alone making big plays for a playoff-contending team.
Despite a very productive career at the University of Texas that included being named the Big 12 defensive lineman of the year in 2017, Ford went undrafted, not because a lack of production, but mostly because at 5-foot-11, he was considered too short by NFL defensive lineman standards.
Ford said he has heard he was too short for almost as long as he has been playing football.
"A lot of people thought I wouldn't do much in college, and I was productive there," he said. "A lot of people said, I would get cut and this and that. I just use that (chip on my shoulder) to my advantage as much as possible."
Ford signed with the Seahawks in large part because they were the only team that brought him in for a pre-draft visit, then he showed enough athleticism and productivity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. After a quiet start to the season that saw him earn limited playing time—he has been inactive for five of 14 games—Ford has started to make people take notice of late, and not just because of that prodigious belly he showed off on Sunday.
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said Ford has shown, "just the ability to make the plays, the ability to get in the backfield, the ability to really push back and make an impact. When he's out there, you know he's out there. When he's out there, you know he's going to run somebody down, jump in the gap and make some plays."
In Seattle's last three games, Ford has recorded 11 tackles, an impressive number for any defensive tackle, let alone an undrafted rookie, including those three tackles for loss in last week's loss to the 49ers. Ford's recent productivity should lead to more playing time down the stretch, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.
"He has been really aggressive, he has shown really good instincts to get a feel for taking advantage and making plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage," Carroll said. "He's going to get some more playing time."
Carroll conceded earlier this month that Ford "certainly doesn't" have a traditional build for an NFL defensive tackle, but he has more than made up for it with quickness, power and effort, as well as long arms that almost look out of place on his otherwise compact frame.
"He has really long arms and he understands how to use his length to keep him clear of blockers and keep his feet clear so he can pursue," Carroll said earlier this month. "He's really quick. He's a really natural athlete. He can do a lot of stuff and you'd be surprised if you saw him throwing the ball around and playing catch and all that, he's a really good athlete… He has done well throughout but he really made a big impression on us this week when he had this much playing time and this much focus. You could really see him as a factor, so we're excited for him."
Ford earning a significant role in the Seahawks' rotation is something he knew he was capable of accomplishing, but he is also very aware of and motivated by all the people who didn't think he'd get this far.
All it takes is a quick glance at Ford's Twitter page to understand the chip on Ford's shoulder—his header photo is a screengrab of a tweet from @RosterWatch saying, "From what we're hearing, Poona Ford is very unlikely to make the Seahawks roster."
Ford hoped to get drafted, but knew there was a good chance he wouldn't, and his message to people before the draft was, "If I don't get drafted, I'm not going to be surprised. I just need to stay on the right path and don't let it get the best of me and have me go on a bad path. Because I knew I was going to get an opportunity, and that's all I needed at the end of the day."
Oh, and about that belly rub, there's a story behind that, Ford says. His former University of Texas teammate Chris Nelson started doing that this season when he made big plays for the Longhorns, so Ford called his friend and told him he'd take that move to the NFL if he had cause to celebrate.
"I saw him do it, so I was like, 'next time I make a big play, I'm going to do that,'" Ford said.
It remains to be seen if that celebration will stick for Ford, but what looks more apparent than ever after last week's big game against the 49ers is that Ford has a chance to stick around in Seattle's D-line rotation.
"Everything about him is unique but to see his, not just his instincts but also the ability to accelerate and get out there, he's very comfortable running in space," Carroll said. "He was jumping over guys and doing all kinds of stuff to get to the football. (Defensive line coach) Clint Hurtt's been saying that he's got a lot of stuff for us, and we just finally got the really concentrated look at him and you can tell. We're hoping he'll help us down the stretch."
The Seattle Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs, the 53rd meeting between the two teams, for Week 16 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at some of their previous matchups.
Seattle Seahawks' John Sawyer, left, and Kansas City Chiefs' Jimbo Elrod, right, roll after the ball fumbled by Sawyer during the first quarter of their game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 11, 1977. (AP Photo/John Filo)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Dave Brown steps in front of Kansas City wide receiver Henry Marshall in route to his second interception return for a touchdown as the Seahawks shutout the Kansas City Chiefs 45-0, November 4, 1984. Brown combined with Keith Simpson and Kenny Easley to establish the NFL record for most interception returns for touchdowns at four. The three also combined with defensive back Terry Taylor, who intercepted two Chiefs passes that afternoon, to establish a new NFL mark for most interception return yardage in one game with 345 return yards (Brown 148 yards, Simpson 76, Easley 58, Taylor 43) Both records still stand going into the 2020 NFL season.
Quarterback Todd Blackledge (14) of the Kansas City Chiefs, is grabbed by Jacob Green (79) of the Seattle Seahawks and sacked for a four-yard loss during the second quarter of their NFL game, Sept. 14, 1986. Also rushing Blackledge is Joe Nash (72) of the Seahawks. Seattle beat Kansas City 23-17. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Quarterback Todd Blackledge, right, of the Kansas City Chiefs, is sacked for a seven-yard loss by linebacker Brian Bosworth, left, of the Seattle Seahawks, during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 20, 1987. Seattle beat Kansas City 43-14. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle's David Wyman (92) brings down Kansas City's Christian Okoye (35) during the second half of Sunday, Oct. 8, 1989 NFL game in Seattle. The Chiefs won 20-16.(AP Photo/Billchan)
Running back Barry Word (23) of the Kansas City Chiefs runs past Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks for three of his 85 yards during the third quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Nov. 23, 1992. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Kansas City Chiefs' running back Marcus Allen (32) manages to move the ball past the goal line for a first-quarter, one-yard touchdown in Seattle against the Seattle Seahawks, Dec. 5, 1993. Helping block for Allen is teammate Ernie Thompson (45). The Chiefs beat the Seahawks, 31-16. (AP Photo/Dick Downey)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Steve Smith (35) heads into the end zone for a fourth quarter touchdown behind a block by teammate Howard Ballard (75) on Nov. 27, 1994 in Seattle against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Richard Downey)
Kansas City Chiefs Marcus Allen, left, (32) is hit by Seattle Seahawks Robert Blackmon (25) after 10-yard run in the first quarter at the Kingdome, Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
The ball is just out of reach for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Pritchard during the first quarter Thursday, Oct. 17, 1996, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jerome Woods is a couple of steps behind on the incomplete pass play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Pete Stoyanovich (10) kicks the game winning field goal over Seattle Seahawks defender Chad Brown (94) in overtime Sunday, Sept. 28, 1997, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs beat the Seahawks 20-17. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Seattle Seahawks Darrin Smith (59) high steps it into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of their game against Kansas City Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998 in Seattle. Smith intercepted a Elvis Grbac pass and ran it back 26 yards for the score. (AP Photo/Rick Giase)
Seattle Seahawks' Christian Fauria runs ahead of Kansas City Chiefs' Donnie Edwards after catching a pass in the third quarter in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. (AP Photo/Lauren McFalls)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna throws a touchdown pass to Derrick Mays under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs' Eric Hicks (98) and Chester McGlockton (75) as Seahawks' Brian Habib (68) looks on during the second quarter in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. The Seahawks won 23-14. (AP Photo/Matt Wallis)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander leaps into the end zone for a touchdown on a 3-yard run past Kansas City Chiefs defender Ray Crockett in the second quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) follows the blocks of Seahawks center Robbie Tobeck (61) and guard Floyd Wedderburn during the Seahawks 39 to 31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) scores his second touchdown of the game, a 46 yard fourth quarter run, as the Seahawks defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 39 to 32 at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Ray Crockett (39) tries to tackle during the Seahawks 39 to 32 vcitory at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson (81) speeds up field during the Seahawks 39 to 32 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002. ©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens (86) catches this ball over Kansas City defensive back Eric Warfield (44) for his first NFL touchdown reception during the Seahawks 39 to 32 victory over the Chiefs at Seahawks Stadium, 11/24/2002.©Corky Trewin/NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch (83) is pushed out of bounds by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Lenny Walls (35) just short of the goal line late in the third quarter of their football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Seattle Seahawks Chris Baker drives across the end zone to score a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs Kendrick Lewis in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in action against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger (60) faces the Kansas City Chiefs line, in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball past Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker James-Michael Johnson (52) in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
