T.J. Ford’s NBA career was sadly cut short by a spinal stenosis diagnosis, but one person kept pushing him no matter what: former Longhorns coach Rick Barnes. On Friday, Ford continued his next step in life by getting his degree from the University of Texas, and one person turned up to cheer him on — his old coach.
T.J. Ford and his Texas coach reunited at his graduation and there were tears
You really, REALLY need to see this.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Barnes now coaches at Tennessee, but couldn’t pass up a trip to Austin to see his Ford graduate 15 years after the two joined forces. Changing schools never stopped Barnes’ love for Texas, telling Ford that his jersey hangs in the rafters for a reason, and pushing him to return to get his degree at the University where he played.
Midway through the video, Barnes tells Ford how proud he is of him for graduating, kisses him, and says, “I love him.” At this point, Ford can’t keep in his emotions anymore, embracing his coach.
Ford explains what Barnes means to him, not as a basketball coach — but as a lot more.
“A father figure for me when I was here. In sports it’s hard to trust anybody, especially coming out of high school and everything. He had a vision, and I trusted his vision -- and I’m living it. Him, and my mother and my father — they had a vision. A vision I didn’t see, I didn’t understand -- I just trusted them, and I’ve trusted everything and every guidance that they have always given me to this day. And I depend on them, a lot.”
Ford was forced to retire from the NBA when he was just 29. Now he’s starting a new chapter of his life.
(h/t @ChrisTavarez)
See More:
