Len Ford facts for kids
Ford from the 1948 Michiganensian
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| No. 50, 53, 80, 83 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | February 18, 1926 Washington, D.C., US |
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| Died: | March 14, 1972 (aged 46) Detroit, Michigan, US |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Armstrong (Washington, D.C.) | ||||||||
| College: | Morgan State Michigan |
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| Undrafted: | 1948 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Leonard Guy Ford Jr. (February 18, 1926 – March 14, 1972) was a talented American football player. He played as an "end" on both offense and defense from 1948 to 1958. Len Ford played college football for the University of Michigan. He then played professionally for the Los Angeles Dons, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. He was so good that he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976. He also joined the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1996.
Ford was an amazing athlete in high school in Washington, D.C.. After graduating in 1944, he attended Morgan State University. He briefly served in the United States Navy in 1945. Then, he transferred to the University of Michigan. There, he played for the Michigan Wolverines football team as an offensive and defensive end. He played for Michigan from 1945 to 1947. He was part of the undefeated 1947 team. Many consider this team the best in Michigan football history.
Even though he was a great college player, Ford was not chosen in the 1948 NFL Draft. However, the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) picked him. He played for them for two seasons. After the AAFC closed down in 1949, Ford joined the Cleveland Browns. He played eight seasons as a defensive end for them. During his time with the Browns, the team reached the NFL championship game seven times. They won three championships and often had the best defense. Ford was known for his size and speed. This combination helped him stop opposing teams and force them to lose the ball. He was named a first-team All-NFL player five times. He also played in four Pro Bowl games. He was one of the top defensive ends of the 1950s.
Ford was traded to the Packers in 1958. He played only one season there before he retired. After football, he worked for the Detroit recreation department. He passed away in 1972 at age 46 due to a heart attack.
Contents
Early Life and High School Sports
Len Ford was born in Washington, D.C., in 1926. As a teenager, he went to Armstrong Technical High School. He played football, basketball, and baseball there. He was a star athlete in all three sports. He was chosen as an all-city athlete in his senior year. He also served as captain for each of his teams.
After high school, Ford's football coach suggested he attend Morgan State University. This was a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland. Ford played for the Morgan State Bears football team for one year. He also played as the center for the school's basketball team. The basketball team won its league championship in 1944. Ford left Morgan State to join the United States Navy in 1945. He served briefly as World War II was ending.
College Football at Michigan
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After the war, Ford transferred to the University of Michigan. He wanted to play football for a bigger program. He hoped to play in the Rose Bowl Game someday. While at Michigan, he joined Omega Psi Phi, a fraternity. His teammate Bob Mann, who also played in the NFL, was also a member.
Playing Seasons: 1945 and 1946
In 1945, Ford was Michigan's tallest player. He was 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 190 pounds. He played as a backup "end" for the 1945 Michigan Wolverines football team. This team had a 7–3 record. When Ford caught a pass in a game against Minnesota in 1945, The New York Times called him "a six-foot, five-inch giant."
By 1946, Ford weighed 206 pounds. He and Bob Mann shared the left end position. The 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team finished with a 6–2–1 record. Ford became known as a strong tackler on defense. He was also good at catching passes on offense. In one game, he recovered a fumble and then scored a touchdown. He also scored a touchdown against Wisconsin. Ford was known for his technique of "punching at the ball" to force fumbles.
The Undefeated 1947 Season
By 1947, Ford weighed 215 pounds. The undefeated 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team is considered one of Michigan's best teams ever. They were called the "Mad Magicians." The team finished with a 10–0 record. They won the 1948 Rose Bowl 49–0 against USC. Ford started only one game in 1947. Even with less playing time, he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the first game. He also had two catches for 82 yards in a big win over Michigan State. He scored another touchdown against Pitt.
Ford's defense was key in shutting down Ohio State. After Michigan's 21-0 win, The Michigan Daily newspaper wrote:
For the defense it was big Len Ford, who sparked a forward wall that never let the Bucks threaten. His end was practically impregnable. He smashed Ohio interference time and again, he continually harassed Dick Slager and Pandel Savic, the Ohio passers, and he made life miserable for Pete Perini, blocking one punt and rushing the Buckeye punter on nearly all of his kicks.
Michigan finished first in the AP Poll. They won the 1947 college football national championship. After the 1947 season, the Associated Press (AP) named Ford a third-team All-American end. He was also named a second-team all-Big Nine Conference end. In 1948, he was invited to play in the College All-Star Game. This game featured the best college players against the NFL champions.
Professional Football Career
Los Angeles Dons (AAFC)
Even with his college success, Ford was not chosen in the 1948 NFL Draft. At that time, many professional teams did not sign African-American players. However, the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) picked him. He signed with the Dons in April 1948.
Ford played as a right end for the Dons. In 1948, he had 31 catches for 598 yards and seven touchdowns. He also played defense and was good at rushing the passer. The Dons finished the season with a 7–7 record. In the off-season, Ford played basketball for the New York Renaissance, an all-black professional team.
In 1949, Ford had 36 catches for 577 yards and one touchdown. The AAFC faced financial problems. In late 1949, some AAFC teams, including the Dons, closed down. Other teams, like the Cleveland Browns, joined the NFL.
Cleveland Browns: A Defensive Star
Joining the Browns in 1950
After the AAFC ended, the Browns chose Ford in a special draft for former AAFC players. Ford signed with the Browns in July 1950. Cleveland coach Paul Brown decided Ford would play only as a defensive end. Ford gained weight, reaching 260 pounds. He became a key player on Cleveland's defense. He was one of five black players on the Browns. Many other teams had no black players at all.
The 1950 Browns finished with a 10–2 record. They won the 1950 NFL Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. During a game in October, Ford suffered severe facial injuries. An opponent's elbow broke his nose, cheekbone, and upper jaw. He lost teeth and needed plastic surgery. Despite this, Ford wanted to play in the championship game. Coach Paul Brown allowed him to play with a special mask. Ford's strong play helped the Browns win the championship 30-28. Paul Brown said Ford "showed me that day he really was a man."
Dominance from 1951 to 1955
Ford continued to be an excellent pass-rusher in 1951. The Browns reached the 1951 NFL Championship Game again but lost. Ford recovered four fumbles that season. He was named a first-team All-Pro and played in the 1952 Pro Bowl. Ford's strong play allowed the Browns to use a new defensive strategy. This strategy is now known as the 4–3 defense.
In 1952, the Browns won their division but lost the 1952 NFL Championship Game. Ford was again named a first-team All-Pro and selected for the Pro Bowl. The 1953 Browns had an 11-1 record and reached the 1953 NFL Championship Game again. Ford was named a first-team All-Pro and selected for the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row.
In 1954, Ford helped the Browns win the 1954 NFL Championship Game. He had two interceptions in the championship game. He also recovered five fumbles that year. He was selected as a first-team All-Pro for the fourth year in a row. He also played in his fourth straight Pro Bowl. The 1955 Browns won the 1955 NFL Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. Ford was again named a first-team All-Pro by several organizations.
Later Seasons with the Browns
After 1955, many key Browns players retired. The 1956 team had its first losing record. In 1957, Ford was 31 years old. He worked hard to get back to his playing weight. He also helped train younger defensive players. The 1957 Browns, led by Jim Brown, reached the 1957 NFL Championship Game. Cleveland's defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL in six of Ford's eight seasons.
Green Bay Packers
In May 1958, the Browns traded Ford to the Green Bay Packers. The Packers coach said Ford was tough to block because of his speed and size. The 1958 Green Bay team won only one game. Ford suffered broken fingers before the last game. He played only one season for the Packers before retiring.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Len Ford recovered 20 fumbles during his career. This was an NFL record when he retired. He was successful because of his speed and size. Few players of his era were as tall and fast. In 1969, Ford was voted the second-greatest defensive end in NFL history. He and Gino Marchetti were chosen as the defensive ends for the National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team.
In 1976, Ford was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1996.
Family and Later Life
In 1951, Ford married Geraldine Bledsoe Ford (1926–2003). She became the first African-American woman judge in Michigan in the 1960s. They had two daughters, Anita and Deborah, and divorced in 1959.
While playing in the NFL, Ford worked in real estate during the off-season. After retiring from football, he studied law for a while. From 1963 until his death, Ford worked as the assistant director at Considine Recreation Center in Detroit. He passed away in March 1972 at age 46 due to a heart attack. He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.
