Many student-athletes finish high school and try to play the same sport in college while completing their degree in four to five years. Kenny Ford, who plays linebacker for the Lions football team, came to Texas A&M University – Commerce in the fall of 1998 after going to high school in Waco.
After spending the 1998-99 school year at A&M-C, Ford enlisted in the U.S. Navy. When asked about why he left A&M-C, he talked about his attitude at the time.
“Well, when I was here before, I was very, very immature. I only played one year – that was the ’98-’99 year, and after that, I came into my own. I stopped going to class; I started cutting up,” he said.
The transition to military can be difficult, and it was no different for Ford.
“When I first got in, it was very difficult for me to transition from civilian life to military life. I used to get in trouble a lot, when I first got in, I would either come late or not come at all,” Ford said.
While in the military, Ford would often reflect if he had made the right decision in joining the military.
“There was a million times that I wish I was right back here playing ball and things like that, but I don’t regret the decision at all. I think it was a good decision for me personally,” he said.
While in the Navy, Ford studied sleep medicine, which deals with people with sleep – related illnesses. Ford was interested in the field, but wanted to be something more than a technician. While doing research, he found out that most people who study or work in the field have Ph.D.s in psychology and some type of degree in biology. He decided to pursue a double major in psychology and biology.
Since finishing his military commitment, Ford has returned to A&M-C where he plays on the football team while pursuing the last few classes required for his double major.
“If I wouldn’t have went through the military and had that experience, there is no way that I would have had the discipline enough to study two and three hours a day after I have already been to class – not to mention football practice as well.”
Football head coach Scotty Conley noticed Ford’s dedication to his studies.
“Kenny is focused on what he is here for – and that is part of the fact that he has been here, then left and saw what the real world was like, and knows what a college education can do for him,” Conley said.
“I am very fortunate for that opportunity to go through the military, and I wouldn’t be able to maintain the certain grade point average or whatever to be in those classes and seek the degrees in May,” Ford said.
Perseverance in life is one of the major things that Ford believes every person should have, no matter what.
“I was born and raised in the projects. I had six brothers and sisters in a two bedroom apartment, a lot of people don’t believe it when I tell them. It doesn’t matter where you come from, its where you are going…you have to persevere no matter what you do in life,” he said.
As a person, Ford has accomplished many things so far that most people would have given up on much sooner.
“I would say my greatest accomplishment, was running out on this field, and being a part of this team. I mean, its overwhelming now even thinking of this moment, but that is what stands out as being it – running out here, representing this team, representing this school, ” Ford said.
In his senior season with the Lions, Ford has tried to take on a role of leading by example, according to Conley.
“He is so accountable and he is responsible for his actions, and those are the things that the rest of the players notice about him. He doesn’t have to be a leader that talks, just by example and what he does.
“That’s the part of him that I think our players see and respect from him, he shows up, ready to go to work, on time, to class or practice or games, so he presents a good example for our young men,” Conley said.