Charlemagne Cortez

Charlemagne Cortez

Cortez at practice with the London Royals.
No. 2 – London Royals
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(2016-09-13)September 13, 2016 (aged 44) Atherton, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Menlo-Atherton High School
College:	Cornell University
ISFL Draft:	2039  / Round: 3 / Pick: 25
DSFL Draft:	2038  / Round: 6 / Pick: 43
Career history
London Royals (2038 (S23)-2039 (S24))
Roster status:	Active
Career DSFL statistics
Passing attempts: 533 Passing completions: 296 Pass percentage: 55.5 Pasing yards: 3142 Passer rating: 74.5 TD-INT: 20-14

Charlemagne Concord Cortez (born September 13, 2016) is an American football quarterback for the London Royals of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL).

Early years

Cortez was born on September 13th, 2016 to parents Julian and Ava Cortez. He was incredibly athletic from a young age, becoming a star on his local little league baseball team and as the quarterback of his midget football team. He showed incredible mastery of throwing a football, even at such a young age, and harnessed that skill to immediately become the starting quarterback of both his junior varsity and varsity teams at Menlo-Atherton High. He set several records in high school, including career passing yards and passing touchdowns, as well as having the most wins of any quarterback in the history of his school's division. He was heavily recruited by colleges as early as his freshman year for his natural raw talent as a passer, but his affluent parents preferred that he put academics first and as such, he chose to apply to a handful of Ivy League schools. He ended up being accepted to Cornell University as an engineering major and immediately tried out for the Big Red football team.

College career

In his freshman season at Cornell, Cortez was redshirted as the team's starting quarterback was entering his senior season and they did not want to waste a year of his eligibility. Starting with his sophomore season, Cortez became the starting quarterback of the Big Red football team and led them to a playoff appearance in every season he was under center. He was selected as a captain of the team every year he was a starter and became one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Ivy League history. He was able to accomplish this feat by never missing a game due to injury during the three seasons of his college career. Even though he was set on finishing his degree to make his parents happy, he still dreamed of playing professional football. After learning that he wasn't being scouted by any NFL teams, he wanted to prove all the naysayers wrong. This is when he applied for the 2038 DSFL Draft.

College career statistics

Cortez finished second only to Jeff Matthews on the all-time Cornell stats leaderboard for career passing yards and passing touchdowns. He set the record for most touchdown passes in a season at Cornell his senior year.

			Passing								Rushing
Season	Team	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Pct	Long	TD	Int	Rating	Att	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
2035	CU	10	251	418	2569	60.0	68	22	13	82.3	5	6	1.2	2	0
2036	CU	10	202	325	3002	62.2	80	20	6	105.2	4	10	2.5	5	2
2037	CU	10	209	313	3167	66.8	75	27	6	120.7	10	8	0.8	2	1

Professional Career

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad	BP	Wonderlic
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	240 lb (109 kg)	5.59 s	5.18 s	7.96 s	19.9 in (0.51 m)	7 ft 0.5 in (2.15 m)	9 reps	45
S24 Scouting Combine

London Royals (2038 - Present)

The wait for Cortez to be picked in the DSFL Draft was a long one. He ended up being picked in the 6th round with the 43rd overall pick by the London Royals. At first, he was disappointed that he not only went so late, but that three of the five other quarterbacks in the draft had been taken before him. That was until he spoke with Royals GM Sly Phreni, who told him he was the exact quarterback they wanted to draft as the heir apparent to their current starter, Colby Jack. He was also told that they wanted a backup who still had locker room leadership capabilities, so Cortez took his new role to heart. He still saw some game action, but his biggest jobs were keeping up morale and being a strong presence around the team. Over the course of the fourteen game season, Cortez would throw just 76 passes, completing under 50% of them. He also threw just three touchdowns as compared to four interceptions. The team stood by him the entire season though, despite his struggles. He set two Royals game records; one during the regular season and one during the playoffs. His regular season record came in a week three matchup with the Norfolk Seawolves, when he completed both of his two passes for just 17 yards, setting the Royals single game record for completion percentage. His game record during the playoffs came in the semifinals against the Kansas City Coyotes, when he completed four of six passes and also threw a touchdown, setting the Royals playoff game record for quarterback rating at 122.9. Cortez stated at the end of the season that he was ready to step into the mantle of starting quarterback for London saying, "This is what I wanted to be drafted for. I want to be the leader of this team and I'm going to prove to the other guys on the field that I can do just that. I can't wait."

Cortez came into his sophomore season with the Royals ready to work, and with a team stacked with talent. Most importantly, with Colby Jack being called up to take the reigns in Yellowknife, he was now London's starting quarterback. He showed why management had so much faith in him during the first game of the season against the Minnesota Grey Ducks. He broke the Royals single game passing records for attempts (42), completions (29), and passing yards (334) while also throwing three touchdown passes. The rest of the season would be relatively up and down for both Cortez and the Royals as a team. Through the next eight games they would win only three of them, but managed statement wins against their rivals, the Dallas Birddogs, and the juggernaut Norfolk Seawolves. Cortez came into their tenth game of the season, a home game against the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers, knowing that they needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. After getting off to a twenty point lead, the Royals would let the Bucs get back into the game by the middle of the fourth quarter. Cortez would then lead his team on a drive with the score tied 31-31, allowing London kicker Jake Fencik to hit the game winning field goal with only thirty-three seconds left on the clock. From that point on, London would win three of its remaining four games and end up winning their division. On top of this, Cortez would break the Royals season passing records for attempts, completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes. He and the Royals entered the 2039 playoffs feeling good about their chances, even though they were playing the Portland Pythons; a team that had given London a ton of trouble during Cortez's tenure with the team. Led by young quarterback Sam Howitzer, the Pythons were a formidable opponent. The Royals knew they needed to make a statement, and they did just that, using the stifling defense that had become their trademark to hold the Pythons to just three points. This vaulted the Royals into the Ultimini game against the Norfolk Seawolves, a team who was considered to be on another level. Led by reigning league MVP Suleiman Ramza, they were as tough of an opponent as the Cortez and the Royals could face. Although he didn't have his best game, Cortez leaned on his running game to score points against the Seawolves and managed to come away with the victory, 24-17. The Royals were Ultimini champions, and Cortez came in second in awards voting for both Quarterback of the Year and MVP.

DSFL Statistics

			Passing								Rushing
Season	Team	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Pct	Long	TD	Int	Rating	Att	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
2038 (S23)	LDN	14	37	76	398	48.7	25	3	4	55.7	5	0	0	1	0
2039 (S24)	LDN	14	259	457	2744	56.7	38	17	10	77.6	9	23	2.6	15	0