Mike Christensen (left) with John Ford

Press-Telegram
Saturday, April 16, 2005

By Samantha Gonzaga

He taught them manners, made them run laps when they failed classes and, through unbreakable discipline, delivered Lakewood High School football from infancy.

John "T" Ford is a legend at the high school and surrounding Lakewood Park community. Often credited with jump-starting the school's football program, he inspired those he coached during his 1963-1979 tenure.

"When he came here, we were the laughingstock," said Lakewood High Principal Al Taylor, who played varsity defensive end for Ford in 1963. "In two years, he turned that around. He brought the community together, and made football the biggest thing in Lakewood."

The biggest thing for 40 current varsity, junior varsity and freshmen football team members Saturday was going to the retired coach's home to complete chores too challenging for the 78-year-old Ford.

They dismantled a deck and shed, did yard work and cleaned debris. It's not unusual for the teams to do volunteer work during the off-season they do twice a month, as a gesture of appreciation for the community's support but helping Ford has special significance. "I wanted to be sure it was close to our school and something for the community," said head coach Mike Christensen of the Lakewood Community Clean-up project. "Coach Ford is a supporter."

Ford loves and lives football. By the team he left his Texas alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University, in 1950, he set a record 26 touchdown passes that stood for 12 years. He even tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles. But he didn't fade into the sidelines. Ford coached high school and college football until 1991. His resume lists many local and regional football teams: Lakewood, Jordan High School, Arizona State University, Rio Hondo and Cerritos colleges.

Retirement was rough those first three years, Ford said. "I thought, 'I shouldn't have quit," he said. He left an impression on his former players. "The guys still come by to see him," his wife, Fern Ford, said. "I think, for me, his greatest accomplishment is working with them."

And he worked them hard. Former players described him as disciplined. Ford described himself as "real mean." "I was a disciplinarian," he said. "They had to be there for practice. If they had to miss, it was either for the death of a family member or their own." The boys learned to respect their elders, work as a team and prioritize their school work.

Discipline became a part of his legacy. "We try to pass on Coach Ford's traditions and beliefs," said assistant coach Danny Graham. "We tell these young men what he's done. A handful of them have dads who played for him. ...We're not afraid about working hard. It's very demanding to be a student athlete today. We instill in our young men that they have to give back to the people."