Ford arrested

[PingBull]

might want to read Greg's column

July 09, 2007

USF freshman Ford loses father

Freshman running back Mike Ford has overcome much to earn a football scholarship to USF, and the 20-year-old endured a personal tragedy during a difficult time last week as his father, Robert Ford Jr., died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 46.

Robert Ford Jr. was at a social event with friends, and there still are no answers as to why he died, said Mike Ford's mother, Dondra Walker. Friday had been a tough day for Mike Ford, who had turned himself to Sarasota police early that morning on an outstanding warrant for missing a court appearance relating to traffic citations.

A couple of things to clarify: Ford was released at 6:06 p.m. Friday, about 18 hours after he turned himself in to Sarasota police. He was not required to pay any kind of bond and was released by a county judge on time served. Ford, who had been cited three times since March 2006 for driving without a registration or valid license, had missed a court date on June 12, which caused the warrant to be issued. According to the arrest report, he approached Sarasota police and notified them of the outstanding warrant. The report goes so far as to say that Ford was "very respectful and polite to the officers."

Ford's mother said he had a class at USF the day of his court hearing and "completely forgot," saying that his license had been suspended because he had gotten a ticket and not paid the fine. "He did something stupid, but he wants to put it in the past," she said. His off-field problems are unlikely to result in any significant disciplinary action from USF coach Jim Leavitt.

Services for Robert Ford Jr. will be held Saturday morning in Sarasota. For a better glimpse into his life and how much his son's success meant to him, please read this great story from Chris Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. I can't find the story itself on the paper's website, so I've linked to a posting on a message board from two years ago. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.

Posted by Greg Auman at 9:41:22 PM on July 9, 2007 | Permalink

perspective

[Guest Sprtsfn627]

Perspective indeed.  Sounds like there was a much more negative spin coming out of the TBO article, as compared to Greg's blog.  Yeah, he should have paid the ticket....but people make mistakes.  Right now, I think our prayers should be WITH the Ford family, as they are enduring a tragedy right now.

[Bullpride08]

Perspective indeed.  Sounds like there was a much more negative spin coming out of the TBO article, as compared to Greg's blog.  Yeah, he should have paid the ticket....but people make mistakes.  Right now, I think our prayers should be WITH the Ford family, as they are enduring a tragedy right now.

Yeah, now who's the bigger punk, the kids on this board making judgement calls maybe!  He made a mistake, now move on.

For now everyone should have thoughts and prayers to Mike and his family.  Robert Ford was a Bull long before Mike, he worked for years on the Sarasota campus so we lost one of our own too.  Very sad, and I feel for Mike and his family.

God bless Robert Ford!

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

Perspective indeed.  Sounds like there was a much more negative spin coming out of the TBO article, as compared to Greg's blog.  Yeah, he should have paid the ticket....but people make mistakes.  Right now, I think our prayers should be WITH the Ford family, as they are enduring a tragedy right now.

Yeah, now who's the bigger punk, the kids on this board making judgement calls maybe!  He made a mistake, now move on.

For now everyone should have thoughts and prayers to Mike and his family.  Robert Ford was a Bull long before Mike, he worked for years on the Sarasota campus so we lost one of our own too.  Very sad, and I feel for Mike and his family.

gol' bless Robert Ford!

I certainly agree that the kid needs some extra attention in light of his father's death.

I sure hope you're not referring to those of us who posted simple comments such as "not good," and "this is bad," and the like as punks.  In truth, I saw VERY few posts that would classify as inappropriate.  Most of the posts were simply commenting on the disturbing nature of such a new face making three consecutive poor choices.