Paris Ford Explained

Paris Ford
Current Team:Massachusetts Pirates
Position:Safety
Birth Date:6 June 1998
Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:190
High School:Steel Valley
College:Pittsburgh
Undraftedyear:2021
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:

Paris Ford (born June 6, 1998) is an American football safety for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh.

Early life and high school

Ford was born and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and originally attended Seton-La Salle Catholic High School, where he played both defensive back and wide receiver on the football team. He transferred to Steel Valley High School midway through his junior year.[1] Ford was named Class 2A All-State and an Under Armour All-American as a senior after scoring 22 touchdowns five different ways (rushing, receiving, interception return, punt return and fumble return).[2] [3]

College career

Ford redshirted his true freshman season. As a redshirt freshman he played in nine games on special teams.[4] [5] [6] Ford was named a starter at safety going into his redshirt sophomore season.[7] He finished the year with 97 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles with 14 passes defended and three interceptions and was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference.[8] Going into his redshirt junior year, Ford was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlists, and was a preseason All-American.[9] [10] After playing in seven games in 2020, Ford opted out of the remainder of the season to prepare for the draft, ending the season while he led the team with 45 tackles and 3 interceptions.[11]

Professional career

Ford returned to Pittsburgh to work out at the school's pro day on March 17, 2021, where he explained that his decision to opt out was also motivated by a desire to help his family financially.[12]

Los Angeles Rams

Despite some analysts viewing him as having late-round talent, Ford was not selected in the 2021 NFL draft. On May 1, 2021, Ford signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams.[13] He was waived on August 23, 2021.[14]

New Jersey Generals

On March 10, 2022, Ford was drafted by the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.[15] He was transferred to the team's practice squad on April 14, 2022,[16] and remained on the inactive roster on April 22.[17] He was transferred to the active roster on April 30.[18]

Ford re-signed with the Generals on July 14, 2023.[19] The Generals folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[20]

Massachusetts Pirates

On May 19, 2024, the Massachusetts Pirates signed Ford.[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ATop-ranked high school WR/DB Paris Ford transfers. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 11, 2016. July 14, 2020.
  2. Web site: Pitt commit Paris Ford receives Under Armour All-America jersey. USATodayHSS.com. November 18, 2016. July 14, 2020.
  3. Web site: After review: Paris Ford breaks out, more observations. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 6, 2019. July 14, 2020.
  4. Web site: Paris Ford ready to go from 'chained dog' to unleashed at Pitt. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 7, 2019. July 14, 2020.
  5. Web site: Nationally recognized in back-to-back games, Pitt safety Paris Ford 'starting to heat up'. John. McGonigal. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 23, 2019. July 14, 2020.
  6. Web site: Pitt safety Paris Ford will skip 2020 NFL draft, return next season. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 30, 2019. July 14, 2020.
  7. Web site: Paris Ford says he'll defer NFL plans, return to Pitt for 2020. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. December 30, 2019. July 14, 2020.
  8. Web site: Pitt Panthers Football Key Player Profile: Safety Paris Ford. George. Michalowski. 247Sports.com. July 12, 2020. July 14, 2020.
  9. Web site: Pitt's Ford, Jones and Twyman land on Bednarik Award preseason watch list. WJACTV.com. July 13, 2020. July 14, 2020.
  10. Web site: Sporting News honors two Panthers. Altoona Mirror. June 26, 2020. July 14, 2020.
  11. Web site: Pittsburgh Panther standout Paris Ford opting out of rest of season. ESPN.com. November 2, 2020. May 2, 2021.
  12. Web site: Jaylen Twyman, Paris Ford return to Pitt for pro day workouts with eyes on the NFL. triblive.com. March 17, 2021. May 2, 2021.
  13. Web site: Paris Ford Signs Free Agent Deal With Los Angeles Rams. pittsburghsportsnow.com. May 1, 2021. May 2, 2021.
  14. News: Rams waive Devlin Hodges, Paris Ford, Raymond Calais . NBCSports.com . August 23, 2021 . August 23, 2021.
  15. Web site: Maulers complete USFL roster; Former Pitt S Paris Ford drafted by New Jersey . Joe Rutter . March 10, 2022 . Trib Total Media . www.triblive.com . March 11, 2022.
  16. USFLGenerals . Roster updates . 1514810546712768525 . April 14, 2022 . April 15, 2022.
  17. USFLGenerals . Players remaining on inactive roster . 1517409923402919936 . April 22, 2022 . April 23, 2022.
  18. USFLGenerals . Roster Updates . 1520319444978864128 . April 30, 2022 . April 30, 2022.
  19. USFLGenerals . Free Agent Signings . 1679941287481430023 . July 14, 2023 . July 16, 2023.
  20. Web site: Seifert . Kevin . January 1, 2024 . Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches . January 15, 2024 . ESPN.com.
  21. Web site: New Jersey . 2024-05-26 . International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who.

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