Ford kicked off football team

Posted Feb 24, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Feb 24, 2010 at 08:58 PM

USF senior RB Mike Ford’s best game in a Bulls uniform turned out to be his final game.

Ford was dismissed from the team Wednesday night by USF coach Skip Holtz for an unspecified violation of team rules.

In USF’s 27-3 win over Northern Illinois in the International Bowl on Jan. 2 in Toronto, Ford was named MVP for his 207-yard performance, boosting hope that Ford could be the Bulls’ featured back in 2010.

“I am disappointed for Mike more than anything else,” Holtz said in a statement released by the school. “I hope that he learns some important life lessons from this experience at USF. A lot of people care deeply for him. He needs to realize that he can respond to this adversity in a positive way and still fulfill many of his goals as a person, student and football player.

“I want the very best for Mike as he moves forward with his life, and I will be here to support him.”

Ford had numerous off-the-field trouble during his time at USF, including multiple arrests for various driving violations, the most recent a few weeks prior to the International Bowl.

Ford issued a statement through the school’s sports information office, apologizing for his latest lapse in judgement.

“To all of my family, friends and fans, I made a mistake that I really, really regret and I apologize for that,” Ford said. “I am responsible for my own actions. Please forgive me for I am only human.  This will not be the last of Mike Ford. I will continue my dream, and I will graduate.’’