‘I want to do anything I can’
Don’t misconstrue this gesture as a “thumbs up.” In fact, when it comes to Ford playing in the final game of his collegiate career, the Division III national championship, the verdict from the doctors is a “big thumbs down.”
Ford will be relegated to the sideline, hand in a cast midway up his forearm, after a devastating injury against UW-La Crosse in the second round of the playoffs.
“I don’t remember anything from the play,” Ford says about the injury that broke his thumb in four places. “I tried to fix my glove and my thumb was not where it was supposed to be.”
He had surgery five days later and two pins were inserted into it — shattered thumb, shattered dreams.
It was a premature ending to a career that started at the base of a mountain and ended just short of its peak.
In Ford’s freshman season, the Wildcats missed the playoffs after finishing 7-2 and in a tie for the Northwest Conference crown. In 2002, they lost by seven at home in the quarterfinals against a St. John’s team that would haunt them for two years. The Johnnies won again in 2003, by six points this time, in the quarterfinals in Minnesota en route to a Stagg Bowl championship and undefeated season.
It looked to be the Wildcats’ year in 2004. The Johnnies were at home after a 7-3 season, the Wildcats had Division I transfer quarterback Brett Elliott and the team was closer than any team Ford had ever played on.
That’s what made standing on the sidelines Saturday just a bit more bearable.
“We had a pact all season if one of us got injured the other one would run for the both of us,” Ford said.
On Saturday, wearing his purple No. 4 jersey over his coat, he cheered and coached and watched Riley Jenkins run for the both of them in a 52-0 thrashing of Rowan.
“I was definitely cheering it up,” Ford said. “I was telling Jenkins what I was seeing — trying to be an extra set of eyes.”
His feedback helped as Jenkins ran for 107 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time all season that a Linfield running back gained over 100 yards.
As the clocked ticked towards 00:00, Ford grabbed the large water jug with other players and doused coach Jay Locey with icy water. With the help of teammates he only needed to use his left hand.
Following the game, Ford, a team captain, addressed the team in their end zone. He told them how proud he was seeing it all come together and how Jenkins performance was like watching his younger brother grow up and become better than him.
It was emotional and it was straight from the heart.
“We got a team here,” Ford said about the close knit group of Wildcats. “My brothers are really helping me out.”
And Ford isn’t missing a chance to help out his brothers. He was cleared for non-contact drills on Tuesday and Locey didn’t hesitate to get his knowledge, spirit and passion back on the field. He will run scout team defensive back this week in practice doing anything he can to have an impact on Saturday’s game.
“I want to do anything I can to help these guys get ready,” Ford said.
When the team leaves Wednesday, he’ll be on the plane and regardless of what happens in Salem, he’ll always remember his teammates.
“I’ll always remember being with the guys,” Ford says. “It’s easier when you are with guys you really like being with.”