Former C-C athlete makes it big

CORRIGAN -- Take what life gives you. Run with it. That’s how Jordan Chase Ford, a former Corrigan-Camden High School all-round athlete, lives. Ford suffered a life-threatening staph infection when he was a 14-year-old, which resulted in a prolonged stay at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. “The doctors told me I was lucky to be alive and that I would never play football again,’’ Ford said. “I guess I proved them wrong. After the third or fourth game of the next season, they cleared me to play. God’s blessed me.’’ Ford will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Thursday, July 19 and on Sunday, July 22, he and all the Philadelphia (rookies) Eagles will report to the NFL Rookie Training Camp. Ford has high hopes of being a member of the 2012 roster team that will open the pre-season schedule on Thursday night, Aug. 9 hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7:30 p.m. On Monday night, Aug. 20 the Eagles will be at New England for an 8 p.m. game. Tight end Ford, 6-foot- 6, 245-pounds, played two years at Kilgore Junior College where he earned Junior College All-American honors. Named fi rst-team Southwest Junior College Football Conference ‘s Most Valuable Player after leading the conference with 32 receptions and 545 receiving yards. Named fi rst All-SWJCFC. As a high school player at Corrigan- Camden High School, earned All-District honors. Following his freshman and sophomore years at Kilgore Junior College, Ford signed a national NCAA Letter-of- Intent with University of Miami (Florida) Hurricanes and reported to Miami in January 2010. Ford was among 13 football players to be awarded University of Miami degrees on Sunday, May 13, 2012. There were 44 student-athletes conferred degrees at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla. A total of 65 Miami student- athletes earned their degrees during the 2011-12 school year, including 21 graduates last December. During his junior year (2010) Ford appeared in nine games, starting one. Recorded 47 yards against Notre Dame University in the Sun Bowl. Had three games with at least two catches. Last fall (2011) played in all 12 games, earning six starts at tight end. Recorded at least one catch in seven games. Scored his lone touchdown of the season against Duke University. Registered a season-high 33-yard reception against Kansas State University. Recorded two receptions in games against Florida State University and Virginia. Ford is a 2-year letterman at University of Miami. Corrigan-Camden’s Chase Ford Chase Ford could probably win the title as “the most unknown player in this year’s NFL Draft.’’ In fact, there are probably even Miami fans who don’t even know who this guy is, but yet somehow, he is on the verge of living out his dream of becoming an NFL tight end. Because of his size, speed and showing at this year’s East and West Shrine Game, Ford has a chance to make it at the next level and after playing his schoolboy football at Corrigan-Camden High School in Deep Texas. Yes, the folks in Philadelphia do talk funny. The NFL’s newest trend is incorporating tight ends as featured receivers in the passing game, and those who putting are up the biggest numbers all have great size. Ford might not put up the numbers like some of guys did in college, but he does stand 6’6’’, 245 pounds and has the athleticism needed to succeed as a pass catching tight end at the professional level. University of Miami is known for producing great tight ends, so perhaps Ford will be the next name on the list. Ford’s teammates and coaching staff at Miami knew he was extremely athletic, but the rest of the world didn’t realize how talented this Texan was until the week of the East and West Shrine Game. Ford put on a show in practices and in the game, making numerous leaping receptions on passes that would not have been caught by the average tight end. He has solid speed, running a 4.69 40-yard dash, which allows him to get past linebackers and into the open field. As good as Ford can be in the open field, he is also good over the middle, showing the ability to catch passes through contact and stay on his feet for yards after the catch. Miami’s tight ends are known for their superior athleticism and Ford is no exception.