Ken Ford (American football)

Ken Ford
refer to caption
1960 Fleer trading card
Personal information
Born:1936 (age 88–89)
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
Position:Quarterback
High school:Breckenridge (Breckenridge, Texas)
College:Hardin–Simmons
NFL draft:1958: 13th round, 150th pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Kenneth "Model A" Ford[1] (born 1936) is an American former football quarterback. He played college football at Hardin–Simmons University, where he led the nation in several passing categories his senior year in 1957.

Early life

Kenneth Ford was born in 1936.[2][3] He attended Breckenridge High School in Breckenridge, Texas.[3]

College career

Ford played college football for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys of Hardin–Simmons University. He was on the freshman team in 1954.[2] He was then a three-year varsity starter from 1955 to 1957.[2] He earned honorable mention All-Border Conference honors his sophomore season in 1955.[4] Ford split time with quarterback Gene Saur in 1956, completing 50 of 105 passes (47.6%) for 490 yards, no touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.[5][6]

As a senior in 1957, Ford completed 115 of 205 passes (56.1%) for 1,254 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while also rushing for four touchdowns, garnering first-team All-Border Conference recognition.[5][7] He led the country in completions, attempts, and total touchdowns (18) while tying for the NCAA lead in touchdown passes.[8][9] His completion percentage was also the second best in the country.[8] He was named Hardin–Simmons University's most outstanding athlete in 1957.[2]

Ford finished his college career with totals of 296 completions on 591 passing attempts for 3,546 yards and 29 touchdowns.[2] Ford's 296 completions beat the mark set by his brother, John "Model T" Ford, who played at Hardin–Simmons in the late 1940s.[1][10] After his college career, Ken was invited to the Blue–Gray Football Classic and North–South Shrine Game.[1] In the 1957 Blue–Gray game, Ford completed nine of 23 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown, leading the South to a 21–20 victory while earning game MVP honors.[11][2] Losing North head coach Murray Warmath said Ford "is absolutely the greatest college passer I ever saw."[11] Ford graduated from college in 1957.[2]

Professional career

On January 10, 1958, it was reported that Ford had signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union.[12] On January 28, 1958, he was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 13th round, with the 150th overall pick, of the 1958 NFL draft.[3] He was released by the Argonauts on August 27, 1958, before playing in any games.[13]

On September 14, 1958, it was reported Ford was headed to Tucson, Arizona, to play for the Tucson Cowboys of the Western Professional Football League.[14] However, a few days later, the New York Giants purchased his NFL rights from the Redskins.[15] Ford spent the 1958 NFL season on New York's taxi squad.[16] He simulated Detroit Lions quarterback Tobin Rote in practice prior to the Week 11 game against the Lions.[17] The Giants later advanced to the 1958 NFL Championship Game, where they lost to the Baltimore Colts in overtime by a score of 23–17.[18] Ford did not re-sign with the Giants in 1959, instead choosing to go into business in Texas.[19]

Ford signed with the New York Titans of the new American Football League for the 1960 season.[20] His college head coach Sammy Baugh was the head coach for the Titans.[21] Ford was the starting quarterback for the team's third preseason game on August 21 against the Dallas Texans.[22][23] On August 23, 1960, Titans owner Harry Wismer released Ford without Baugh's consent.[21][24]

Legacy

Ford was inducted into the Hardin–Simmons Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.[25][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lil' Ford Outstrips Older Model As H-SU'S Top Passer". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. December 7, 1957. p. 11. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kenneth Ford". Hardin–Simmons University. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Ken Ford". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  4. ^ "Six Repeat as BC All-Stars". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. November 30, 1955. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Ken Ford". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  6. ^ "Ford, Saur May Dent Tech Passing Defense". Abilene Reporter-News. November 29, 1956. pp. 15A. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  7. ^ "All-Border Loop 1957 Dream Team". Tucson Citizen. December 4, 1957. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "1957 College Football Year Summary". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. 2015. p. 46.
  10. ^ "Talented Tosser". Associated Press. 1950s. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Ford Continues to Pull Praise From All Sides". The Patriot-News. United Press. December 30, 1957. p. 16. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  12. ^ "Argos Sign Passing Star Ken Ford". Daily Standard-Freeholder. Canadian Press. January 10, 1958. p. 15. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  13. ^ "Argos drop quarterback". The Leader-Post. Canadian Press. August 29, 1958. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  14. ^ Sanner, Fred (September 14, 1958). "Ford to Play With Tucson Team". Abilene Reporter-News. pp. 2D. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  15. ^ "Ford Will Get Giants Tryout". Abilene Reporter-News. Associated Press. September 17, 1958. pp. 10A. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  16. ^ Ward, Gene (November 25, 1958). "Inside Sports". New York Daily News. pp. 27C. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  17. ^ Ward, Gene (December 5, 1958). "Giants in Drill to Stop Rote". New York Daily News. p. 81. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  18. ^ "1958 New York Giants (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  19. ^ Duroska, Lud (May 15, 1959). "Visit to the Tower". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  20. ^ "Was on Top". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. April 13, 1960. p. 25. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Ingram, Bob (August 29, 1960). "Baugh's Problems". El Paso Herald-Post. p. 20. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  22. ^ Sanner, Fred (August 20, 1960). "Texans Choice Over Titans Tonight". Abilene Reporter-News. pp. 8A. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  23. ^ "1960 New York Titans (AFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  24. ^ "Titans Cut Ford, Put Biggs On Reserve List". Abilene Reporter-News. Associated Press. August 24, 1960. pp. 9A. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  25. ^ "Reporter-News salutes". Abilene Reporter-News. November 11, 1995. pp. 6AA. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
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