RIDERS IN NEED OF FORD POWER
Stepping on QB’s foot aside, tailback getting noticed with hard work and positive attitude
Michael Ford made quite an impression during a Saskatchewan Roughriders practice this week.
Unfortunately for Ford, it was on one of Darian Durant’s toes.
As Durant handed the ball to Ford, the tailback accidentally stepped on a foot of the Roughriders’ quarterback. The incident left Durant hobbling for a moment.
So, Ford was asked jokingly, did he worry that his misstep would cost him a spot on the roster for Friday’s CFL game against the host Edmonton Eskimos?
“Not necessarily, because at the same time, we’re getting better,” the 26-year-old product of Leesville, La., said with a smile. “Things happen.
“I drop balls. I run into linemen. You’ve just got to leave those things in the past and get better each and every day.”
Ford signed with the Roughriders on Aug. 12 and has dressed for two games so far as Kendial Lawrence’s backup. Ford could get more action Friday as Saskatchewan looks to revive a dormant running game.
If there’s pressure to help the Roughriders hit the ground running, Ford isn’t feeling it.
“I just (have to) get with the coaches, study and do the best I can do,” the 5-foot-10, 216-pounder said. “Whatever way that is — (special) teams, running back, catching, whatever — I’ve got to make the best of it.”
Ford played three seasons at Louisiana State University, but he left after his junior season to enter the 2013 NFL draft. He wasn’t selected, so he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears that April. He was released in August of 2014.
He joined the Hamilton TigerCats in June of 2015, but was cut after playing three games. He subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but was waived after just three weeks in their camp.
Although the NFL closed the door on him, Ford never considered quitting the game.
“You don’t think that until you’re just too old to play and you don’t feel like you can get up anymore,” he said. “As long as the fire is burning inside you and you feel like you can go, you’re going to take a shot at it and keep going for it.
“No matter if it’s the NFL or CFL, you’re going to give your all.”
Ford returned to Hamilton in late September and was activated Oct. 1. He appeared in six games with the Tiger-Cats in 2015, rushing 33 times for 186 yards and catching nine passes for 86 yards.
He was among Hamilton’s first cuts this season and eventually found his way to Saskatchewan.
The sting of being released hasn’t been easy for Ford to accept during his career, but he wasn’t going to let it end his football career.
“(The keys to rebounding are) dedication and hard work; there’s no other secret,” he said. “Just keep grinding and forget about mistakes.
“Whatever you do, you’ve got to try — and you’re going to fail. I don’t know one person in life that has not failed. The only way you can’t fail is if you stay in bed all your life.”
Ford has rushed three times for 24 yards, caught three passes for 20 yards, and returned three kickoffs for 62 yards so far as a Roughrider. The numbers are modest, but Saskatchewan head coach-GM Chris Jones singled out Ford for his effort during Saturday’s 53-7 loss in Hamilton.
The coach’s praise for Ford continued this week.
“He’s very physical,” Jones said. “You saw the return he had the other night (a hard-fought 29-yarder) and a couple of the runs. He drags people and gets those extra hard yards.”
While appreciative of Jones’ words, Ford won’t rest on his laurels.
He noted that he’s on the field with 11 other offensive players who do as much as he does.
If Ford gets more of an opportunity Friday, he’ll try to follow his usual approach.
“If you’re not playing, act like you’re playing, and when you’re playing, do what you were doing when you weren’t playing,” he said. “Study, do what you’re supposed to do, and relax.”
As long as the fire is burning inside you and you feel like you can go, you’re going to take a shot at it and keep going for it.