December 10, 1948 - August 24, 2022                  Beaumont, TX

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Charles Glenn Ford was born on December 10, 1948, in Beaumont, Texas, where his natural athletic ability was evident early on. At Beaumont High School, he excelled as a multisport athlete, showing the size and coordination that would later define his football career. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 185 pounds, Ford was larger than most defensive backs of his era—a trait that made him stand out to college recruiters. He went on to play football at the University of Houston, where his agility, tackling, and defensive instincts earned him recognition as one of the team’s most reliable cornerbacks. His college performance positioned him for the professional stage just as the NFL began to place greater emphasis on the passing game.

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In 1971, Ford entered the NFL Draft and was selected in the second round as the 36th overall pick. Though officially drafted by the Houston Oilers, he began his professional career with the Chicago Bears, then coached by Jim Dooley. He played with the Bears from 1971 through 1973, recording strong seasons that included seven interceptions in 1972 — his career best — and earning a reputation for disciplined coverage and intelligent reads. In 1974, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by short stints with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants in 1975. Over his five-season NFL career, Ford totaled 15 interceptions for 219 yards and four fumble recoveries, numbers that reflect both his consistency and reliability in the secondary.

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Ford’s size and range made him especially effective against taller wide receivers, and his physical style suited the rougher defensive standards of the 1970s NFL. He was part of a generation of cornerbacks who bridged the gap between the bump-and-run era and the more sophisticated zone schemes that followed. His best performances came in tight, high-pressure games, where his combination of quickness and length allowed him to break up key passes and shift momentum. Teammates and coaches often described him as quiet but focused—a player who led by example through preparation and work ethic.

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The city of Beaumont celebrated Ford’s success as part of the area’s deep football tradition. In 1971, he was one of 16 NFL players from the region honored by Mayor Ken Ritter with a ceremonial “Key to the City,” a moment that symbolized the Golden Triangle’s emergence as one of Texas’s richest pipelines of football talent. After his playing days ended, Ford returned to Beaumont, where he remained involved in his community and continued to be recognized for his contributions to local sports. His induction into the Museum of the Gulf Coast Sports Hall of Fame solidified his place among the region’s most influential athletes.

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Charles Ford passed away on August 24, 2022, in his hometown of Beaumont. He left behind a lasting legacy as both an athlete and a hometown hero—a man who rose from local high-school fields to the NFL and brought pride to his community every step of the way. His career remains a reflection of discipline, athleticism, and perseverance, marking him as one of the many standout figures who shaped southeast Texas’s enduring reputation as a cradle of football excellence.