Keith Ford suspended

[olevetonahill]

Indefinitely

[olevetonahill]

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Bolt/Keith-Ford-suspended-indefinitely-36498538?utm_source=247Sports+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c6ba6f0ba2-150330_Oklahoma+Sooners&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5300ae947-c6ba6f0ba2-219930193

[TheHumanAlphabet]

Drugs or not going to class?

[olevetonahill]

Drugs or not going to class?

Think it said Grades and Team rules.

[EatLeadCommie]

Good grief.

[dwarthog]

Sheesh. Hope he pulls his head out and gets back on the team. If he doesn't start, he's gotta be in the mix for carries and to step in if someone, heaven forbids, is injured.

[cvsooner]

And here I was hoping all the dramatics of last season were all last season. Cripes.

[swardboy]

Drugs or not going to class?

Yes.















P.S. I don't know.

[BoulderSooner79]

And here I was hoping all the dramatics of last season were all last season. Cripes.

They were. This is part of the upcoming seasons' dramatics. Stay tuned.

[olevetonahill]

They were. This is part of the upcoming seasons' dramatics. Stay tuned.

Heh, Some people need to learn to
Pay Tention!

[badger]

Keith's dad discusses suspension here:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ousportsextra/blog/ou-sports-keith-ford-s-father-opens-up-about-his/article_85399daf-9558-5aae-a522-be81ce8368c7.html

An excerpt:

TW: Stoops’ comment in your statement – “I will never shut a kid out” – was that something he said to you yesterday?

Mr. Ford: “Yes. That made us feel like a million bucks. We knew Keith had his support regardless. That acknowledged, ‘OK, let’s take a look at this.’ Now, the violation of team rules, it is what it is. But we think the bigger picture is the underlying issues that resulted in this, and we’re going to have a chance to revisit where Keith stands with the team.”

TW: Can you clarify the violation of team rules any?

Mr. Ford: “Attendance was a big issue. He’s working on it. That’s across the board, attendance in academics and participating in football activities. If you’re late at anything at OU, you suffer some penalty. People take that statement (violation of team rules) and they really don’t understand what it means unless you’re a player or a player’s parent. And then you realize there are several rules in regards to your participation. What you do academically can affect what you do on the field. There’s a connection.”

[rock on sooner]

Well, out in the professional world, being on time and being where
one is supposed to be when one is supposed to be there is a highly
regarded trait. Sounds as though Stoops and the Ford family want
Keith to understand that. Heh, Coughlin (Giants HC) would fine his
players if they weren't five minutes EARLY to scheduled meetings.
Stoops' loyalty to players and coaches is legendary...I bet Keith
comes around!

[badger]

Stoops' loyalty to players and coaches is legendary...I bet Keith
comes around!
As talented as we are at running back with Joe and Samaje in the backfield (together at the same time, reportedly! hehe), Keith Ford had some solid performances last year and we'd be missing out if he decided to transfer, or quit showing up to class/practice :(

Come back, Keith!

[cvsooner]

Hmmm. Based on that interview, this is a continuation of some of the drama from last season. Vindication!

Seriously, he's a solid player who could contribute -- and has contributed -- a great deal to the team. I hope he gets his problems resolved and returns.

[8timechamps]

There is some speculation that Ford is dealing with some depression (brought on by the injury he suffered against Tennessee and never getting back to 100%). I have no idea if that's true, or not, but it would kind of fit the narrative. The depression led to him missing classes, and eventually being suspended.

Whatever the case is, it sounds like it was very out of character for Keith, and I hope he can get it squared away and get completely healthy. Whether he plays this year, or not, doesn't really matter in the big picture. What's most important is that he's healthy and okay.

[olevetonahill]

Yup I wish him the best, It was reported earlier that he was thinking of transferring tho. I hope not.

[birddog]

don't think keith's folks would accept him moving away from the program. they sound very fortunate that keith has every chance to get on track and his depression may sink even deeper if he were to move to another program. depression is a tough one. everyone handles it differently. I remember when I quit playing college ball I began drinking, smoking herb, and TRANSFERRED TO OSU!! luckily I snapped out of it and found things I really enjoyed doing. Its possible keith can find peace at another school but the foundation and support is there for him at OU. We'll see. I hope he gets better, no matter where it is.

[Since71ASooner4Life]

Yup I wish him the best, It was reported earlier that he was thinking of transferring tho. I hope not.

He maybe might as well. He lost his job to Perine last year, and with Mixon coming in I can imagine he'd have even less this year

[Eielson]

We don't HAVE to have him, but we definitely could use him. Hope he gets it together.

[SoCalBigRed]

I like that it sounds/looks like he actually has a support program in in place.

He's broken rules and has to suffer the consequences. But, he doesn't sound like a bad kid... and maybe seeing/having people, even when they're punishing you... still sticking by you, trying to help you on the right path. That speaks volumes.

I was going to say something unpleasant about Ford, on the surface of this... but instead, I wish the young man well... and I hope he gets his opportunities on the field, thru some recovery.

[8timechamps]

I like that it sounds/looks like he actually has a support program in in place.

He's broken rules and has to suffer the consequences. But, he doesn't sound like a bad kid... and maybe seeing/having people, even when they're punishing you... still sticking by you, trying to help you on the right path. That speaks volumes.

I was going to say something unpleasant about Ford, on the surface of this... but instead, I wish the young man well... and I hope he gets his opportunities on the field, thru some recovery.

There's a saying that goes something like "A man's character can be measured by the way he responds to adversity". I look at Joe Mixon, who still has a long way to go to regain a lot of people's trust, but he could very easily have gone back to California and ended up at another school this year. Instead, he stayed, faced the music and appears to have followed the rules put in place for him. Obviously Keith's issue is much different, but if he ends up getting help for whatever it is that's affecting him, and works his way back onto the team, that'll say a lot about his character.

[Piware]

Wow! Transferred to OSU? You did hit rock bottom. Glad you are okay now and I hope Keith is too.

[swardboy]

?

[Pride1Mom]

After seeing the Spring game, running backs will not be OU's problem.