Who is Porter Ellett? The story of one-armed Chiefs coach who became Patrick Mahomes' warmup partner

The Kansas City Chiefs have been the NFL's mark of excellence. As the franchise seeks its third consecutive Super Bowl win, it is out to a 9-0 start in the 2024 season.

As with most successful franchises, the success is a credit to each organizational member. Head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are often the face of the team's triumphs, but dozens of support staff members are crucial to daily operations.

Among those staff members is Reid's "left-hand man," the self-appointed nickname of Chiefs assistant coach Porter Ellett, who no longer has a right arm. Ellett's role as Mahomes' warmup partner on game days has thrust Ellett into the national spotlight each week.

Who is Ellett? Here is the story of the one-armed Chiefs coach quickly rising the coaching ranks.

NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule

Who is the Chiefs coach with one arm?

The Chiefs coach with one arm is Porter Ellett. He is in his second season as Kansas City's assistant running backs coach and his eighth season with the franchise.

Ellett only has a left arm after having his right arm amputated as a teenager. 

How did Porter Ellett lose his arm?

Ellett first lost the use of his right arm in an accident at four years old. He and a group of other children were taking turns playing on a motorcycle strapped into the bed of a moving pickup truck.

Ellett explained, “I went to get off of it, and I ended up falling out of the truck," per Y Magazine. The accident fractured Ellett's skull and damaged nerves leading into his right arm, which became immobile. After 12 years of injuries and struggles living with an immobile arm, Ellett asked his parents if he could get his arm amputated.

Ellett had his arm removed at 16.

MORE: NFL playoff picture | NFL power rankings | Week 11 NFL picks | Week NFL picks against the spread

Porter Ellett salary with Chiefs

Ellett's salary with the Chiefs is not known, as assistant coach salaries are rarely disclosed publicly. His role as assistant running backs coach is a promotion from his role as an offensive quality control coach, a title he held from 2020 to 2022.

Ellett joined the franchise in 2017 as a senior assistant to head coach Andy Reid.

Did Porter Ellett play football?

Ellett did not play football. He played baseball and basketball in high school.

In baseball, Ellett earned district MVP honors as a junior and was a first-team all-Utah selection during his senior season. His basketball team won a regional championship, earning national attention.

Patrick Mahomes' relationship with Porter Ellett

Mahomes' relationship with Ellett is rooted in their daily work together with the Chiefs. Ellett has played a big role with Kansas City's offense since his time as offensive quality control coach.

“He brings energy. He never has a bad day,” Mahomes said in a 2022 NFL Films feature on Ellett. “He’s gonna be the best himself he can be every single day.”

Mahomes' high praise of Ellett included this bold proclamation: "I know one day he's going to be a head coach in this league."