He Has Heart

TJ Ford embodies the meaning of the word perseverance.

Life as an NBA superstar paints the attractive picture of a dream come true, but for some it is a far cry from being a Cinderella Story. San Antonio Spurs guard TJ Ford has experienced the unpleasant aspects of being an NBA player that many people disregard. TJ Ford is remembered as the first basketball player to put University of Texas basketball back on the map, by leading them to the Sweet Sixteen, and then their first Final Four since 1947. He was the first big athlete to actually decide to stay in Texas to play basketball. Doing so changed the UT basketball program forever, however his accomplishments didn’t come without hardships along the way.

Setbacks have never stopped him. Even after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis he continued to pursue his lifelong dream of playing professional basketball. He began his journey at the University of Texas, and credits attending the university as one of the best decisions he has ever made. After excelling as a freshman and sophomore, Ford decided to turn pro and left UT after his sophomore year. I asked Ford his advice for an athlete looking to leave college early to go pro; he said, “look at the pros and cons before you make a rash decision of whether you’re going to leave or stay. Kids should use as many resources as possible, and get the correct information. You see many kids who get to college and decide to come out when they should return to school. You’re always going to have cases like that, but I think there’s a lot of good kids that go second round or undrafted, if they stay another year or two they’d definitely be a first round pick.”

Ford was drafted to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003 and has never looked back. He described his overall experience in the pros, stating “its been good. I was able to live my dreams, experience some things that I never imagine experiencing as far as traveling around the world, and I’ve always wanted to play against the best athletes. It’s definitely a blessing… a dream come true.”

Although the NBA paints an alluring picture, the players’ health is major concern that can determine their career.

On February 24, 2004, after playing in 55 games his rookie season, Ford was fouled by Mark Madsen during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This foul however, didn’t result in shooting free throws for extra points, instead it resulted in a contusion of the spinal cord after he fell on his tailbone. Ford underwent spinal fusion surgery and was unable to return to the court until nearly two years later.

He recalled his recovery period, stating “it was tough; not being able to do what I love to do, play basketball. I had to deal with that adversity in my life by really depending and leaning on my family. I had to lean on everyone to help me get through that stage because it was a stressful time not knowing if I’d ever be able to play again. It was very difficult not knowing; it was a time id never forget. Finding certain things for motivation to get back on through the training was definitely intense.”

Ford got it accomplished. He completed rehab and was able to return to play the game he loves, but how? How could he go back to a place that comes with a risk that could potentially be higher than the reward? “Strong mentality and faith. Having a supportive family and feeling like this is what I was born to do; how you deal with it and handle it when it gets to you is how I looked at it. That was my approach. I just couldn’t sit back and let this control my life. I had to go forward and push myself to go back.”

That is exactly what he did. He made his return on opening night of the 2005 season and recorded 16 points, 14 assists, and 9 rebounds, showing the world that nothing had changed. Before the 2006 season, Ford was traded to the Raptors, and where he sustained another frightening injury after being hit by Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford and falling to the hardwood floor on December 11, 2007. This type of hit is more damaging because of his spinal stenosis, which by definition is a narrowing of the vertebrae. After leaving the arena on a stretcher, he was hospitalized, and sidelined until February of 2008. He then was traded to the Pacers, where he was hardly able to showcase his talent.

Eager to enter his 8th season, Ford was halted like every other player due to the NBA lockout. To him there were the pros of being able to spend more time with his wife and kids, but the con of not knowing when it would end. He then decided to venture overseas “to get the experience,” as he signed to play for KK Zagreb until the lockout was over.

Croatia was just one stop for Ford on his journey to the ultimate goal. He signed with the San Antonio Spurs soon after leaving Croatia, and is elated to be back in Texas. He admits “I’m excited, playing in my home state. I never anticipated that I would actually come home this soon and actually be in San Antonio which is in between Houston and Austin where I have a lot of ties to.”

He is eager to work with Spurs coach Greg Popovich, and expressed (Popovich) is “a fun coach to play for. He’s demanding, and he knows how to get the best out of his players.” He continued to say Popovich’s “coaching style, the level of respect that the players have for him, and the respect he gives the players,” is what separates him from other coaches.

More importantly to Ford is being apart of a championship caliber team. “I love to play the game” he said, “so the opportunity for me coming to a good situation with a winning team that has won championships and has a championship environment gives me the opportunity to compete for the ultimate goal and that is to win a championship.” As far as teaming up with Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, Ford told me, “Playing with these guys is unbelievable. Playing with future Hall of Famer’s and just seeing how these guys have chemistry and how they understand playing with each other has definitely been a blessing and a good experience being around these guys.” Ford followed up, saying “ill continue to bring leadership, play hard, and be aggressive while we’re out there; just try to create and get guys open looks because we have a lot of shooters.”

After all is said and done, he still has a bright smile, and has no regrets. When asked if there was anything he learned the hard way that he wanted to share, he responded: “Be professional, be on time, and be respectful to others; learn how to communicate. At this level you have to learn how to communicate, you cant take things personal at this level. Being a professional you have to take the good and the bad and understand that it’s a business and some decisions are business decisions, it’s not personal, so you have to be able to distinguish what’s business and what’s personal.”

TJ Ford is back where he wants to be, and it didn’t come easy. He broke the mold and set a trend that other Texas athletes can follow by staying in Texas to play basketball, even though the University was more of a football university. Being the first basketball player at the University of Texas to have his jersey retired is only one accomplishment that he is able to share with his children. He is ready to win an NBA championship, and has enough heart to never back down from any challenge.

- “The ultimate goal is to just be remembered for the rest of my life, whether I’m on this earth or not, and continue to do positive things in the community, do the right thing on and off the court, and hopefully the vision I have for myself turns out exactly how I hope its planned at the end of the day.”

By Shardanna Jones @shaygotit