Dee Ford

Dee Ford (born March 19, 1991) is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.

Dee Ford
Ford in 2014
No. 55 – San Francisco 49ers
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1991-03-19) March 19, 1991
Odenville, Alabama
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Clair County
(Odenville, Alabama)
College:Auburn
NFL Draft:2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2019
Total tackles:151
Sacks:37.0
Forced fumbles:11
Fumble recoveries:0
Pass deflections:7
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Ford attended St. Clair County High School in Odenville, Alabama. While there, he played high school football.[1] As a senior, Ford recorded 90 tackles, including 38 tackles for loss and 18 sacks, intercepted a pass, and broke up three while being named to the Class 4A All-State team by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. As a junior, he posted 87 total tackles with 16 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was ranked as the 62nd best outside linebacker prospect in the nation.[2]

College career

Ford attended Auburn University from 2009 to 2013. During his career, he had 19.5 sacks. As a senior in 2013, he was an All-SEC selection.[3][4]

Statistics

Defense
YearTeamTacklesTFLSacksQB HurriesDeflectionsStarts
2009Auburn122.51710
2010Auburn1122401
2011Auburn721400
2012Auburn346.56817
2013Auburn2914.510.517111
Career9327.520.540319

Professional career

NFL Draft

On January 25, 2014, Ford attended the Reese's Senior Bowl and had an impressive performance after recording two combined tackles, two tackles for a loss, a pass deflection, and sacked Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas twice to help the South defeat the North 20-10.[5] His Senior Bowl performance helped him raise his draft stock. NFL draft experts and analysts projected Ford to be a first or second round. He received an invitation to the NFL combine, but did not perform any physical drills after doctors recommended him sit out after issues stemming from a back injury he suffered in 2011. On March 4, 2014, Ford participated at Auburn's pro day and was able to complete all of the combine and positional drills for team representatives and scouts. All 32 NFL teams had representatives present at Auburn's pro day to scout Ford, Greg Robinson, and ten other prospects. He was ranked the second best defensive end prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and Sports Illustrated and was ranked the third best defensive end by NFL analyst Mike Mayock.[6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 1⁄8 in
(1.88 m)		 252 lb
(114 kg)		 32 7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		 10 1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.59 s 1.67 s 2.69 s 4.73 s 7.07 s 35 1⁄2 in
(0.90 m)		 10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		 29 reps
All values from Auburn's Pro Day

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Ford in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.[7][8]

2014 season: Rookie year

Ford competed with Dezman Moses, Frank Zombo, and Josh Mauga throughout training camp for a job as the backup linebacker. Head coach Andy Reid named him the backup right outside linebacker to Tamba Hali to begin the regular season.[9]

Ford made his NFL debut during the 10–26 season-opening loss to the Tennessee Titans.[10] Two weeks later, he recorded his first NFL tackle and deflected a pass during a 34–15 victory over the Miami Dolphins.[11] During Week 8, Ford made a season-high three combined tackles and was credited a half a sack making it the first of his career during a 34–7 victory over the St. Louis Rams.[12] Ford joined a highly-touted linebacking corps as a rookie, that consisted of Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, and Tamba Hali. With Houston and Hali already staples in the defense, Ford received no starts in 16 game appearances and was limited to only seven combined tackles and 1.5 sacks.[13]

2015 season

Ford returned to his role as the backup outside linebacker in 2015, behind key veteran Hali and Houston. Ford missed Weeks 11-12 after suffering a back injury. During Week 13, Ford earned his first NFL start against the Oakland Raiders after Justin Houston suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the rest of the season. Ford finished the 34–20 victory over the Raiders with a solo tackle. In the next game against the San Diego Chargers, he made a season-high seven solo tackles, defended a pass, and sacked quarterback Philip Rivers thrice in a 10–3 victory. Ford made his first career solo sack and marked a career-high with his three-sack performance.[14][15]

Ford finished his second professional season with 23 combined tackles (21 solo), two pass deflections, and four sacks in 14 games and five starts.

2016 season

Ford began the 2016 season as the starting right outside linebacker, in place of Justin Houston, who was recovering from surgery in February to repair a torn ACL.[16]

Ford started in the season-opener against the San Diego Chargers and recorded four solo tackles and a sack on Philip Rivers during the 33-27 overtime victory. During Week 6, Ford made five combined tackles and sacked Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr twice in a 26-10 road victory. He did not record a sack in the next game against the New Orleans Saints and only recorded one tackle total on a down effort/ However, the Chiefs still won 27-21. The following week against the Indianapolis Colts, Ford collected five combined tackles and was credited with a career-high 3.5 sacks on quarterback Andrew Luck during a 30-14 victory.[17] During Week 9, he had his second consecutive game with multiple sacks after he sacked quarterback Blake Bortles twice during a 19-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the next game, Ford collected three combined tackles, deflected a pass, and recorded a sack on Cam Newton, as the Chiefs defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score 20-17. This was his third consecutive game with a sack. Through Ford's first nine games of his 2016 season, he was tied with Lorenzo Alexander as the NFL's sack leader.[18] Although Houston returned to his starting left outside linebacker role in Week 11, Ford was able to start at right outside linebacker from Weeks 14-16 ahead of Tamba Hali.

Ford finished his third season with 38 combined tackles (25 solo), a career-high ten sacks, and two pass deflections in 15 games and 14 starts.

2017 season

On May 1, 2017, the Chiefs exercised the fifth-year option on Ford's rookie contract that pays him $8.71 million in 2018.[19]

Ford was set to begin his fourth season as the backup left outside linebacker to Tamba Hali, until Hali was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list with an unspecified injury and was set to miss the first six games.[20]

Ford started in the season-opener against the New England Patriots and made four solo tackles in the 42-27 road victory. The following week, he earned two solo tackles and sacked quarterback Carson Wentz in a 27-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Ford was unable to play in Weeks 4-5 after sustaining a back injury. On October 15, 2017, he collected four combined tackles and a sack on Ben Roethlisberger, as the Chiefs were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score 13-19. Ford was placed on injured reserve on December 7, 2017.[21]

2018 season

During Week 8, Ford sacked Case Keenum thrice in a 30-23 win over the Denver Broncos, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[22] Overall for the month of October, Ford recorded 13 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles, earning himself AFC Defensive Player of the Month.[23]

In the final minutes of the 4th quarter of the 2019 AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, Ford was called for an offsides penalty [24] that reversed a Charvarius Ward interception that would’ve likely sealed the game for the Chiefs.[25]

On March 2, 2019, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Ford.[26]

San Francisco 49ers

On March 12, 2019 the Chiefs agreed to a trade that would send Ford to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Ford would sign a five year contract worth $87.5 million after the trade was officially completed on March 13, 2019.[27][28]

2019 season

Ford made his 49ers debut in the season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sacking Jameis Winston once in the 31–17 road victory.[29] During Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams, Ford sacked Jared Goff 1.5 times in the 20–7 road victory.[30]

Ford finished his first season with the 49ers tallying 14 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 11 games and two starts. In the playoffs, he helped the 49ers defeat the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers to advance to Super Bowl LIV where they would lose to Ford’s former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Ford recorded two tackles in the Super Bowl.

NFL statistics
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCombTotalAstSackIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYdsTD
2014KC 1608441.5000.00010000
2015KC 1452321210.0000.00020000
2016KC 151438251310.0000.00021000
2017KC 66131122.0000.00011000
2018KC 161655421313.0000.00007000
2019SF 112141046.5000.00012000
Career78431511133837.0000.000711000

Postseason
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCombTotalAstSackIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYdsTD
2015KC 216600.0000.00000000
2016KC 113120.50000000000
2017KC 00Did not play due to injury
2018KC 224401.0000.00001000
2019SF 304311.0000.00000000
Career84171432.5000.00001000

Personal life

Ford is one of three children, born to his parents James and Debbie Ford. His parents married as teenagers, and have been together for three decades.[31] He has a brother and a sister.[32] Debbie worked two jobs, both as a licensed practical nurse, in order to pay the bills when the children were younger.[33]

In addition to playing football, Ford is known for his exceptional piano playing abilities.[34]

References
  1. "Dee Ford, St. Clair County , Weak-Side Defensive End". 247Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  2. Dee Ford Archived November 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Rivals.yahoo.com (April 20, 2011). Retrieved on November 15, 2015.
  3. Erickson, Joel A. (December 11, 2013). "Auburn lands three Tigers on coaches' All-SEC first team; Four players overall (updated)". AL.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  4. Goldberg, Charles. "Tre Mason, Reese Dismukes, Dee Ford on coaches' All-SEC". Auburn University Athletics. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  5. James Dator (January 25, 2014). "Senior Bowl 2014 final score: South dominates low key game, 20-10". sbnation.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  6. Mayock, Mike (May 5, 2014). "Mike Mayock's position rankings for 2014 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  7. Alper, Josh (May 9, 2014). "Chiefs bring Dee Ford to Kansas City with 23rd pick". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  8. Kadar, Dan (May 7, 2014). "2014 NFL Draft final top 200". SBNation.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  9. "Ourlads.com: Kansas City Chiefs depth chart: 10/01/2014". ourlads.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  10. "Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs - September 7th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  11. "Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins - September 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  12. "St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs - October 26th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  13. "Dee Ford". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  14. "NFL Game Center: Week 14-2015: San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs". NFL.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  15. Teicher, Adam (December 13, 2015). "Dee Ford plays game of his career in Chiefs' win over Chargers". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  16. Teicher, Adam (March 22, 2016). "Chiefs' Justin Houston could miss upcoming season after ACL surgery". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  17. "Chiefs vs. Colts Week 8, 2016 Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. Kissel, BJ (May 1, 2017). "Kansas City Chiefs Pick Up Fifth-Year Option on LB Dee Ford". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  20. Matt Connor (November 1, 2017). "Media receives mixed message about Tamba Hali's return to Chiefs". ArrowheadAddict.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  21. "Chiefs place Dee Ford on injured reserve, sign lineman from Eagles' practice squad". KansasCity.com. December 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  22. "James Conner, Adrian Peterson among Players of the Week". NFL.com. October 31, 2018. Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  23. Shook, Nick (November 1, 2018). "Todd Gurley, James Conner lead players of October". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  24. "Patriots vs. Chiefs AFC Championship, 2018 Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  25. "Dee Ford Offsides Penalty Negates Chiefs Interception on Late Patriots Touchdown Drive". SI.com. January 20, 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  26. Smith, Michael David (March 2, 2019). "Chiefs franchise Dee Ford". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  27. Teope, Herbie (March 12, 2019). "Chiefs trade pass-rusher Dee Ford to 49ers". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  28. "49ers Acquire DL Dee Ford, Sign LB Kwon Alexander". 49ers.com. March 13, 2019. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  29. "Sherman, 49ers upend Winston, Buccaneers 31-17". www.espn.com. September 8, 2019. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  30. "49ers remain unbeaten with 20-7 win over slumping Rams". www.espn.com. October 13, 2019. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  31. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. Marcello, Brandon (January 3, 2014) Auburn defensive end Dee Ford's piano playing entertains teammates until curfew Archived May 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. AL.com. Retrieved on November 15, 2015.
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