American Football Database
Register
Advertisement
Len Ford
File:Len Ford.png
Ford from 1948 Michiganensian
No. 53, 80, 83     
Defensive end
Personal information
Date of birth: (1926-02-18)February 18, 1926
Place of birth: Washington, D.C.
Date of death: March 14, 1972(1972-03-14) (aged 46)
Career information
College: Morgan State, Michigan
Debuted in 1948 for the Los Angeles Dons
Last played in 1958 for the Green Bay Packers
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Games played     125
Interceptions     3
Forced fumbles     20
Stats at NFL.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Leonard Guy Ford, Jr. (February 18, 1926 – March 14, 1972) was an American football defensive end. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

Early years[]

He attended Armstrong High School (Washington D.C.) before enrolling into Morgan State University. He played college football for one year there, before transferring to the University of Michigan where he was part of the 1947 national championship.

Lenny Ford Tells the Home Folks About California

Ford speaks to fans in Michigan after victory in 1948 Rose Bowl.

Professional career[]

Los Angeles Dons (AAFC)[]

In 1948 he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference,[1] where he excelled as an offensive end. In 1948 he recorded 31 receptions for 598 yards (19.3 yards-per-catch average) and seven touchdowns, tying him for the AAFC lead. The next year he had 36 catches for 577 yards (16 yards-per-catch average) and one touchdown.

Cleveland Browns[]

When the AAFC disbanded at the end of 1949 season, only three teams from the league - the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts - were merged into the NFL. Ford was selected by the Browns in the 1950 AAFC Dispersal Draft created for teamless former AAFC players. In Cleveland, he became a ferocious defensive player for a very strong Browns team that dominated the NFL during the 1950s, playing in five championship games and winning three. Ford played for the Browns through 1957.

Green Bay Packers[]

In 1958 he was acquired by the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a draft choice. Ford played until the end of the season before retiring.

See also[]

References[]

External links[]



Advertisement