“Destiny favors the prepared”: The Story of Jordan Chunn
“Destiny favors the prepared”: The Story of Jordan Chunn
This is more of a story and just a little inspiration if you will. This is a story about a guy who I know personally and have had the liberty of being a rival, a teammate, and a friend. Jordan Chunn from a little small town, Gurley, Alabama. Just up the road from my little small town, New Market, Alabama. Our friendship really started back when we were in high school. Both of our high schools play each other in the Jamboree every year. He attended Madison County high school and I attended Buckhorn High School. In my Sophomore year, his senior year we went head to head. Let's just say it was the Jordan show, over three hundred yards and three touchdowns in the first half. The game ended in MCHS favor 35-14. Jordan was a two-way player for the Tigers playing running back and Linebacker, registering 2,229 rushing yards, tallying up 43 touchdowns, 155 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 INTS. He went on to be named player of the year and 4A Back of the year.
After his stellar high school career, his amazing college career started. By I mean started, it took off like a rocket. His first season at Troy University he was a back up behind starter Brandon Burks, but still dominated the field. He had 618 all-purpose yards, 128 carries 514 rushing yards and 14 TDs. Setting the freshman school record for touchdowns and went on to be a freshman All-American. As well as earning his nickname “MegaChunn.”
Sophomore year, was the back up again behind Burks but still lead the team in carries 111 carries for 504 rushing yards and 6 TDs.
Where the story Jordan gets interesting is going into his Junior season, the second game of the year Jordan takes the ball against Charleston Southern on an inside run gashing it up for 14-15 yard gain. What happened on that tackle would be a blessing in disguise, he shattered his collarbone. Causing him to medically redshirt for the 2015-2016 season. What also happened to be my redshirt year and Neal Brown's first year as head coach at Troy. Coach Brown had us redshirts be called the developmental squad. Which is for us guys who weren't quite ready to play, so we had an extra year to get ready.
Jordan being medically redshirted was placed in that group for recovery purposes also to get him ready for next season. Watching Jordan during his recovery process was something that has stuck with me. He not once showed any type of discouragement. He never showed that he was defeated. Being at the very top, being an All-American setting the freshman record, leading the teams in carries, to working out every morning at 5 A.M. with us freshman. He could have very easily been negative, but instead, he showed his determination and showed what type of leader he is. He took us young guys and really pushed us without actually saying anything, He was a guy who spoke with his actions rather than words.
During workouts when it was getting tough and it was getting hard to push through, Jordan was a guy who stood out, fighting through the discomfort of having surgery and recovering from a shattered collarbone. He became more mentally tough, bigger, faster and stronger as well. Fast Forward to the season opener of the 2016 season against Austin Peay, Jordan finally the starter. The excitement of being back on the field, all the pain he felt during recovery, not letting himself be negative, being that leader to us young guys was about to pay off. Well, his bounce-back could not have happened any better. On our very first play on offense, Jordan took it to the house straight up the middle for a 49 yard TD. he finished the season opener with 161 yards and a touchdown. Jordan went on to have a breakout season. Setting the school record for carries in a season (279) 1,288 yards rushing, 16 rushing touchdowns (second in school history) with 1,516 all-purpose yards (eighth in school history). He helped lead us to our first bowl appearance and victory in six years against the Ohio Bobcats.
The 2017 season was something special, His senior year and my junior year. He was the starter at RB and I was a back up for our offensive line. We are coming off of Troy's first ever 10 win season and returning 94% of our starters on offense. Coming off a breakout year, rushing for over 1,000 yards, Jordan was ready to have another record breaking year. At Troy we are never scared to play a power 5 team, we had LSU that season. Nobody expected us to win. We were LSU’s homecoming game. They wore their purple jerseys, they wear once a year. Nobody gave us a shot at winning. Coach Brown gave us a pretty motivational speech Thursday before the game.
Challenging us to be the Train stopper. Challenging us to be the team that got over the hump and do something that nobody believes we can do. He showed us scores from previous years, of previous teams that came close to winning a game that we were about to play but just could not do it. That game, Jordan showed everybody in the country who he was. Rushing for 191 yards and a touchdown that helped lead us to victory over LSU 24-21. First non-conference team to beat them since the year 2000. He helped lead us to Troy's first 11 win season and our 6th conference championship. Jordan would miss two games that season, one due to a leg injury he suffered in our conference championship game against Arkansas State. Causing him to miss the New Orleans bowl. Jordan finished his legendary Troy career with 679 carries, 3,124 yards (4.6 yard average) 47 rushing touchdowns (school record) 84 receptions 558 yards receiving.
Safe to say Jordan has left his mark as one of the best running backs to ever come out of Troy. His Journey has continued with him being signed as a priority free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 where he was on the practice squad.
Fast Forward to now, Coach Brown had a few sayings placed on the walls throughout the field house during his time at Troy. One, in particular, has really stuck with me. “Destiny favors the prepared.” Jordan was always prepared, his first season he was on the practice squad. He had a lot of uncertainty going through his mind and not being drafted, it's a lot harder to really get the respect you want from people in the NFL. he took that as another way to show people who Jordan Chunn was. He made himself a name coming from a small town in Gurley, Alabama, He he broke records a small D-1 school, now it is his time to continue to fight and show people he belongs in the NFL.
Jordan found another gear and hit the ground running for the 2019 preseason. With Ezekiel Elliot dealing with contract issues, that left the Cowboys running back room in competition mode. Throughout the preseason, besides Toney Pollard Jordan was one of the most talked about backs for them. Making a lot of noise during the first Blue and white scrimmage, leading to him getting a lot of reps on special teams and an increase in reps at RB. I had the liberty of going week 3 preseason game against Houston, he was starting on three out of the four special team units and did very well. Mid way through the 3rd quarter on the houston 20 yard line, Jordan caught a pass that resulted in his first career TD. That was so far his breakout game and really what helped push him towards what he had worked his whole life for.
Week four roles around he starts the game off against Tampa Bay. He missed the second half due to a rib injury. Friday rolls around, 15 guys were cut Jordan makes the first round. Here comes Saturday, going to our Troy days, Coach Brown would talk to the team and address to us, if you want to play at the next level, majority of the guys on a 53 man roster will play special teams. A huge way to make an NFL roster, if you and another guy are being decided from it will come down to can they help on special teams. Saturday, August 31st, Jordan was waived. Sunday, September 1st He signs to practice squad. Monday, September 2nd, “Destiny favored the prepared.”
Jordan was signed to the 53 man roster of the Dallas Cowboys. He worked his butt off on special teams. Separating himself from another back they originally chose over him. Offensive Lineman Connor McGovern was placed on IR, which left an open slot. Jordan is someone who no matter what will make the best of any opportunity he is given. His hard work, tough mentality and not willing to settle is what got him to where he is today. Sunday, September 8, 2019, Jordan played in his first regular season game on special teams. He is a true leader, and a great role model for young kids who think they can not get back up after getting knocked down.
-By: Zach Branner