Personal information | |
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Born: | Clarksville, Texas, U.S. | January 30, 1959
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Mesquite (Mesquite, Texas) |
College: | SMU (1977–1980) |
Position: | Quarterback |
NFL draft: | 1981 / round: 9 / pick: 228 |
Career history | |
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Career highlights and awards | |
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Michael Carlton Ford (born January 30, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States Football League (USFL). He attended Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas.[1] Ford played college football for the SMU Mustangs from 1977 to 1980.[2] As a sophomore in 1978, he led all NCAA major college players in both total offense yards (2,957),[3] total offense per game (268.8 yards/game),[4] and passing yards (3,007).[5] In 11 games during the 1978 season, he completed 224 of 389 passes for 3,007 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions for and SMU team that compiled a 4–6–1 record.[2] Listed as a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate in 1979,[6] he never reached the same statistical levels, passing for 217 yards after sustaining a knee injury in 1979 season opener,[7] and tallying 951 passing yards in 1980.[2] He returned to SMU as a student 30 year later to obtain his degree.[8]
After his college career, he played in the USFL for the San Antonio Gunslingers.[9]
A high-touted quarterback recruit from Mesquite High School, Ford was the nation's second-ranked passer in 1978, when he threw for 3,007 yards.