Ken Ford

Kenneth Carrol "Model A" Ford He attended Breckenridge High School in Breckenridge, Texas. Ford split time with quarterback Gene Saur in 1956, completing 50 of 105 passes (47.6%) for 490 yards, no touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

As a senior in 1957, Ford completed 115 of 205 passes (56.1%) for 1,254 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while also rushing for four touchdowns, garnering first-team All-Border Conference recognition. He led the country in completions, attempts, and total touchdowns (18) while tying for the NCAA lead in touchdown passes. His completion percentage was also the second best in the country. He was named Hardin–Simmons University's most outstanding athlete in 1957. After his college career, Ken was invited to the Blue–Gray Football Classic and North–South Shrine Game. In the 1957 Blue–Gray game, Ford completed nine of 23 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown, leading the South to a 21–20 victory while earning game MVP honors. Ford graduated from college in 1957. On January 28, 1958, he was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 13th round, with the 150th overall pick, of the 1958 NFL draft.

On September 14, 1958, it was reported Ford was headed to Tucson, Arizona, to play for the Tucson Cowboys of the Western Professional Football League. However, a few days later, the New York Giants purchased his NFL rights from the Redskins. Ford spent the 1958 NFL season on New York's taxi squad. He simulated Detroit Lions quarterback Tobin Rote in practice prior to the Week 11 game against the Lions. The Giants later advanced to the 1958 NFL Championship Game, where they lost to the Baltimore Colts in overtime by a score of 23–17. Ford did not re-sign with the Giants in 1959, instead choosing to go into business in Texas.

Ford signed with the New York Titans of the new American Football League for the 1960 season. His college head coach Sammy Baugh was the head coach for the Titans. Ford was the starting quarterback for the team's third preseason game on August 21 against the Dallas Texans. On August 23, 1960, Titans owner Harry Wismer released Ford without Baugh's consent.

Legacy Ford was inducted into the Hardin–Simmons Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He died on March 9, 2019, at the age of 83.