George Fant Bio
George Fant is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 19, 1992, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Fant carved out an unconventional path to the NFL. He played both basketball and football at Western Kentucky University before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Over his professional career spanning from 2016 to present, Fant has established himself as a versatile offensive lineman who has played for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Washington Commanders. His unique background as a basketball-to-football convert has shaped his athletic ability and contributed to his success at the offensive tackle position.
Early Life and Background
George Fant grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he attended Warren Central High School. Throughout his high school career, he lettered and started all four years on the basketball court. As a junior, Fant earned second-team All-State honors, demonstrating his athletic potential early on. During his senior season, he recorded 62.2 percent from the field and led the team with 75 blocks while averaging 21.5 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game. His outstanding performance earned him first-team All-State honors. When he graduated, Fant was Warren Central High School’s all-time leader in rebounds with 1,039 and ranked third in points with 1,805.
Fant was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was listed as the 150th best senior in the nation. His success on the basketball court established him as a notable high school athlete in Kentucky. Rather than pursuing football immediately, Fant chose to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level, setting the stage for his unique journey to professional football.
Path to American Football
Fant enrolled at Western Kentucky University, where he majored in recreation and continued his basketball career while also playing football. His basketball career at Western Kentucky was impressive, spanning from 2011 to 2015. He appeared in 31 games as a freshman with 24 starts, averaging 10.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He led the team in field goal percentage at 47.6 percent, and his 321 points scored ranked seventh all-time for a freshman in school history.
Throughout his first four years at Western Kentucky, friends and coaches repeatedly urged Fant to join the Hilltopper football team, but he consistently refused. He received letters from multiple NFL teams during spring 2015 asking if he was interested in pursuing professional football, but he disregarded them and threw them away. The idea of playing basketball overseas in Poland was one alternative he considered. However, with a wife and child to care for, Fant ultimately decided that football presented a more stable career path.
Fant transitioned to football using his fifth year of eligibility at Western Kentucky. Tight ends Tyler Higbee and Devin Scott helped him learn the tight end position, while tight ends coach Ryan Wallace also worked with him. Fant bulked up from 250 pounds to 296 pounds to prepare for football. He studied tapes of Jimmy Graham, another basketball-to-football convert. For the 2015 season, he appeared in two games, recording one reception for seven yards and two tackles. Despite his limited experience, Fant showcased enough athletic ability at Western Kentucky’s pro day on March 29, 2016, to attract attention from NFL scouts.
George Fant Career
Seattle Seahawks (2016–2019)
Fant signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016. He impressed the Seahawks’ co-director of player personnel Trent Kirchner with his athletic ability and worked out at multiple positions including linebacker, defensive end, defensive tackle, tight end, and offensive tackle. Offensive line coach Tom Cable chose Fant over another prospect because he was a “long-armed athlete.” Throughout training camp, Fant learned the offensive tackle position quickly and earned the backup left tackle job behind Bradley Sowell to begin the regular season.
Fant made his professional regular-season debut on October 23, 2016, playing 24 snaps after Sowell sprained his knee during a 6-6 tie with the Arizona Cardinals. He made his first career start during Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints after Sowell remained unable to play due to injury. Although he committed two clipping penalties in his first two starts and a false start, Fant improved rapidly. On November 13, 2016, he made his third career start against the New England Patriots and was credited with not committing a single assignment error in the Seahawks’ 31-24 victory.
He played the last ten consecutive games of the season as the Seahawks’ starting left tackle and finished his rookie season appearing in 14 games with ten starts. In the second game of the 2017 preseason, Fant tore his ACL and was ruled out for the season, placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2017. After rookie tight end Will Dissly got injured in 2018, Fant began playing an offensive tackle and tight end hybrid role. He lined up as a sixth offensive lineman and declared himself an eligible receiver, helping the 2018 Seahawks achieve the number one ranked rushing offense in the league.
New York Jets (2020–2022)
On April 23, 2020, Fant signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the New York Jets. He was named the Jets’ starting right tackle in 2020, starting 13 games there plus two at left tackle in place of an injured Mekhi Becton. In 2021, he was once again named the starting right tackle but became the left tackle starter in Week 2 after a season-ending injury to Becton and started the remainder of the season there. Fant was named the starting left tackle to begin the 2022 season but was placed on injured reserve on September 27, 2022, and activated on December 3. He was placed back on injured reserve on January 7, 2023.
Houston Texans (2023)
On July 28, 2023, Fant signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans. He started 13 games at right tackle for Houston during the 2023 season. His experience and versatility continued to make him a valuable asset on the offensive line.
Seattle Seahawks (Second Stint, 2024–2025)
On March 13, 2024, Fant signed with the Seattle Seahawks, returning to the team where he began his NFL career. He rejoined the organization that originally gave him his opportunity as an undrafted free agent. Fant was released on March 4, 2025, concluding his second stint with the Seahawks.
Washington Commanders (2025–Present)
Fant signed with the Washington Commanders on August 19, 2025. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined the Commanders’ offensive line. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a veteran NFL player demonstrates his persistence and ability to adapt at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fant’s unique background as a basketball player converted to football contributed to his exceptional athleticism for an offensive lineman. His quick feet, body control, and spatial awareness translated well to the offensive tackle position. His long arms, which coach Tom Cable noted as a key attribute, helped him excel in pass protection. The hybrid tight end role he developed with the Seahawks showcased his versatility, as he could line up at multiple positions along the line and function as an eligible receiver when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fant’s rookie season in 2016 was remarkable given his limited football experience. He went from not playing the position in college to starting ten games at left tackle for an NFL team. His recovery from a torn ACL in 2017 demonstrated his resilience. On December 10, 2018, in a Monday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Fant recorded his first career reception, a 9-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson. His performance in the 2019 Monday Night Football game against the Vikings, where he reported as an eligible receiver on 42 plays and helped the Seahawks rush for a season-high 218 yards, further cemented his reputation as a versatile weapon in offensive line schemes.
George Fant Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, George Fant has appeared in 105 games with 75 starts across his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Washington Commanders. His durability and consistency allowed him to earn significant playing time despite entering the league as an undrafted free agent.
Seattle Seahawks Highlights
With the Seahawks, Fant appeared in 14 games with ten starts as a rookie in 2016, immediately earning the starting left tackle position. His progression from backup to starter demonstrated his rapid development. In the hybrid tight end role during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he contributed to an offense that ranked among the league’s best in rushing. His first career reception in 2018 marked a milestone in his unique dual-role career.
Other Highlights
Fant’s three-year, $30 million contract with the New York Jets in 2020 represented significant recognition of his value in the league. His ability to play both left and right tackle, as well as the hybrid tight end role, made him a valuable commodity on the offensive line market. His 13 starts at right tackle for the Texans in 2023 and subsequent return to Seattle showed his continued productivity as a veteran lineman.
George Fant Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While there is no documented racing lineage in Fant’s background, his family has strong athletic connections through his marriage to Chastity Gooch, a former Western Kentucky women’s basketball player.
Personal Life
Fant is married to Chastity Gooch, who was a member of the Western Kentucky women’s basketball team. Together, they have four children. His decision to switch from basketball to football in 2015 was influenced by his family responsibilities, as he considered the stability that a football career could provide for his wife and children. This family foundation has been a constant presence throughout his professional football journey.
2025 Season Performance
George Fant joined the Washington Commanders in August 2025, signing with the team during the offseason. This move represented a new opportunity for the veteran offensive tackle to contribute to another NFL franchise. Fant brought extensive experience from his nine previous seasons in the league, having appeared in 105 career games with 75 starts. His versatility to play both tackle positions and his background in the hybrid tight end role provided the Commanders with valuable positional flexibility along their offensive line. As he integrates into the Commanders’ offensive scheme, Fant’s leadership and experience will be assets for a team looking to build consistency in pass protection and run blocking.