As the NFL season progresses, previously unknown players become household names thanks to unique backgrounds and breakout performances.
San Francisco running back Raheem Mostert is no exception, and he has gone from an NFL journeyman to playoff hero, including a monster four-touchdown performance in the NFC championship game.
With the 49ers now headed to a Super Bowl showdown with the Chiefs in Miami, Mostert will be one of the notable names in the matchup.
Here's everything you need to know about the 49ers' blossoming running back.
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Raheem Mostert wound up with the 49ers thanks to Chip Kelly
Chip Kelly is no longer with the 49ers, but thanks to a previous linking between he and Mostert, the running back now wears a 49ers jersey.
Mostert's professional career began with the Eagles in 2015, but even though the undrafted free agent left a positive impression in the preseason, he failed to make the 53-man roster.
The following season, Kelly took over as head coach of the 49ers and opted to bring Mostert with him. The running back was added to the team's practice squad that November and was promoted to the 53-man roster a month later. Though Kelly only lasted a season with the 49ers, Mostert has stuck with the franchise ever since.
He was cut by six NFL teams before joining the 49ers
A former three-star wide receiver recruit, Mostert committed to Purdue in 2011 over Illinois, Indiana, Marshall, Miami, UCF and Wake Forest, among others. With the Boilermakers, Mostert acted as a return specialist, tallying 2,289 career kick return yards and two touchdowns during his four-year career. He also contributed to the passing and running game, logging 759 career rushing yards and 122 career receiving yards.
After going undrafted in 2015, Mostert signed with the Eagles. He has been forced to change uniforms several times, though, as his career bio displays a laundry list of cuts, signings, IR trips and practice squad appearances.
Mostert was cut in September 2015 by the Eagles, and has since been added to Philadelphia's practice squad; signed and waived by the Dolphins; acquired off waivers by the Ravens (and later waived by Baltimore); acquired and waived by the Browns; added to the practice squad and cut by the Jets; added to the practice squad and cut multiple times by the Bears; and then he finally landed with the 49ers. Got all that?
He is having a career year in several different ways
Mostert, 27, has bounced around so many times that even landing and sticking with a 53-man roster is an accomplishment by itself. He hasn't settled, though.
Mostert played in all 16 regular season games this year, tallying 772 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns while also picking up two receiving touchdowns, recovering a pair of fumbles and playing 45 percent of San Francisco's special-teams snaps.
Then, this happened:
Mostert exploded in the NFC championship game with three rushing touchdowns and 160 rushing yards off 14 carries in the first half against the Packers. He finished with 220 yards and four scores. It was a memorable performance for a player who has had his fair share of obstacles prior to his first real professional opportunity.
Mostert finished with the most touchdowns in an NFC championship game (four) and also set San Francisco's team record for rushing yards (220).
He once got pranked about being released, and was then actually released
While a member with the Ravens, Mostert was called into the coaches office for an unexpected meeting.
"I don't know what the situation was," Mostert said. "They decided they were going to cut me. I go into the office, and they tell me I'm being released and for me to go back home to my apartment. And they called me back in and said, 'Ah, just kidding, we're not going to release (you).'"
Mostert was cut by the Ravens a week later.
He is a former skateboarder and surfer
In addition to his football skills, Mostert is also regarded as an extremely skilled skateboarder and surfer. A native of surf town New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Mostert grew up with skateboards and surfboards. He was once even offered a professional surfing contract by a recruiter from Billabong.
He is one of the fastest players in the NFL
Mostert's speed has provided several eye-popping numbers during his career. The four-time Big Ten sprinting champion has eclipsed 20 miles per hour a handful of times this season, including a 36-yard touchdown run Sunday in which Mostert topped out at 21.87 miles per hour.
The popular "Madden" video game franchise has taken note as well, tagging Mostert with a 93 speed rating this summer in their newest game.