NEED TO KNOW:

• Acquired: 2022 CFL Draft (1st round / 8th overall)
• CFL experience (Elks): 3 (3)
• College: Waterloo (2017-21)
• Highlights:
  • Named the Elks Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian in 2023.
  • Ford was recognized as Player of the Month on the CFL Honour Roll All-August Team (2023) powered by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
  • Received the 2022 Niagara Falls Sportsperson of the Year award following his rookie season in the CFL.
  • Appeared in 10 games (three starts) in his rookie season. Won his first start, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 1, 2022, when he became the first Canadian quarterback to start a game for the Green and Gold since 1968.
  • Selected 8^th overall in the 2022 CFL Draft, becoming the highest quarterback taken in the first round since 1980, when Sheldon Paris went 7th overall to the Calgary Stampeders.
  • In 2021, became the first black quarterback to win the Hec Creighton Award, recognizing the most outstanding player in U Sports football; while also winning the OUA Most Outstanding Player Award, and being named an All-Canadian and First-Team OUA All-Star.

YEAR-BY-YEAR:

• 2022-23: (Edmonton) In his second season with the Elks, Ford went 4-6 as a starter after taking over the starter’s role in Week 10. The Waterloo product completed 153-227 passes (67.4%) for 2,069 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 622 yards on 66 attempts (9.4 avg.) and three touchdowns. In 2022, he appeared in 10 games for the Elks, going 40-for-69 for 461 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed 19 times for 149 yards.