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Oklahoma State Football

Trace Ford Opens Up to The Oklahoman and Jacob Unruh on Bedlam Transfer

January 4, 2023
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STILLWATER – You need to read this story. I know Oklahoma State fan may try to glean as much negative as they can out of it, but that is not why I’m putting the link out there. Jacob Unruh of The Oklahoman got an exclusive interview with Trace Ford.

I’ve had conversations through text with Trace Ford’s mother Desirae to assure her that the negative reaction she and her son were hearing from Oklahoma State fans was not the way that many (hopefully, most of us) feel.

Trace Ford came out of Edmond Santa Fe High School and gave Oklahoma State and Cowboys fans his best. He had 59 career tackles with 11.5 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception, three fumbles forced, and one beautiful blocked punt for a touchdown this season. In the meantime, Trace had two torn ACL injuries and then at Kansas this season he fractured his patella (knee cap). 

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer
Ford’s touchdown moment this season.

Unbelievable! One guy endures those injuries. I get the part where he went to his locker wondering what would happen next. I saw the same thing happen with repeated injuries to four-star receiver Langston Anderson. I’m a big Langston Anderson fan too. Sometimes a player needs a change of scenery. I love Trace Ford and I wish him the best. That doesn’t mean wins over Oklahoma State, but I wish him success on the field.  

I’m not like Doug Gottlieb.

“Feel free to hand in your O jacket on the way out,” was the end of Doug’s tweet on Ford’s transfer.

Ford saw that response and much worse.

“It’s insane,” Ford said.

Ford totally earned that black letter jacket with the orange O. Now, he’ll try to earn a crimson letter jacket.

Ford is in a unique position. Never before have we seen a prominent football player start at Oklahoma State and then start at Oklahoma. Ford will have a chore coming back and making that happen. If he does then it will be quite the accomplishment. I wish him the best and I also wish that he will never look back on his experience at Oklahoma State poorly. He played well. He gave Cowboys football two ACLs and a cracked patella. 

He admits he had a hard time deciding between, in the end, USC and Oklahoma. He chose to stay close to home. He was worried about his former teammates, two very close to him, Brock Martin and Collin Oliver.

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
Brock Martin has been the leader of the defensive ends and the team and he stands by hos brother Trace Ford.

“So, it meant the world that they were in my corner,” Ford told Jason Unruh. “Because that was my worst fear is what if Brock and they don’t care about me? What if they get mad and we’re not friends anymore? That was my worst fear.”

“Hey, I won’t root for him to win in Bedlam, but Trace is my brother, and I will wish for him to do well. He and I go way back, and we’ve been there for each other,” Martin told me at the bowl game. “That will never change.”

 

Discussion from...

Trace Ford Opens Up to The Oklahoman and Jacob Unruh on Bedlam Transfer

9,259 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by CaliforniaCowboy
POOBAPOKE
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Nope. I agree with Doug. Drop it off on your way out. All y'all. Not a Cowboy until you're an alum. As Curley Bill said, " Well, Bye."
Cdub234
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Ford is completely tone deaf if he thinks OSU fans are "insane" for being upset with this move. It's an intentional slap in our face. You don't want to be here anymore? Ok… You transfer to the ONE school we dislike more than any other that most of us consider enemy #1. A kid from Oklahoma making this decision is damned near unbelievable!

Where's the commitment you gave in exchange for hundreds of thousands of $ in a free education? The type most of us had to take out giant student loans to even afford to go. Ones many of us are still paying off.

Where's the loyalty to your teammates you've been battling with in practice and on the field for years? Any to the 100's of thousands of fans who have cheered you on in person because they feel like you represent their school and football team the right way?

Is it time for schools to start just cutting kids who aren't playing well or who are injured? Why not? That's the kind of loyalty this generation of players is showing
Joe Khatib
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Hey Robert/Zach No offense, but who cares! He isn't wearing Orange and Black so if people want to see this they can go to the Oklahoman site. I have to agree with Cdub234 and Poobapoke on this one!
GumbyFromPokeyLand
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Sorry RA. You might be too close to the situation. I didn't donate money to the program so we could install a revolving door. Starters or significant contributors that transfer will not get my praises or admiration. As a starter or significant contributor, they are getting exactly what they signed up for, nothing less. For my money, going elsewhere is breaking a commitment.
NJAggie
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While I can't endorse his decision or even understand it, I think a lot of people just need to move on. Doug G. looked ridiculous in those tweets, and so did the rest of the fans posting stuff like that. You can not like the move, you don't have to wish him success down there, but there's no need to run out in the street and scream terrible things at him as he drives off.
eecowboy
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RA,
Please write articles on the amazing athletes participating at Oklahoma State, or notable alumni for that matter.

With already paying for the Oklahoman, I have ZERO desire to pay for articles on this site concerning ou athletes.

He did not exhaust his eligibility at Oklahoma State, nor did he graduate from Oklahoma State. He left Oklahoma State. End of story.

We'll all say our "hello's" to him at BPS next year. Until then, he can enjoy norman and all they have to offer.

Go Cowboys!
GumbyFromPokeyLand
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NJAggie said:

While I can't endorse his decision or even understand it, I think a lot of people just need to move on. Doug G. looked ridiculous in those tweets, and so did the rest of the fans posting stuff like that. You can not like the move, you don't have to wish him success down there, but there's no need to run out in the street and scream terrible things at him as he drives off.


The best course of action is probably just ignore the player. Don't publicly criticize or praise. Just ignore.
RAllenisadumass
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Loyal and True is just a thing we say, not a thing we mean.
CaliforniaCowboy
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NJAggie said:

While I can't endorse his decision or even understand it, I think a lot of people just need to move on. Doug G. looked ridiculous in those tweets, and so did the rest of the fans posting stuff like that. You can not like the move, you don't have to wish him success down there, but there's no need to run out in the street and scream terrible things at him as he drives off.
Post of the week ^^^^
72Cowboys
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Can you imagine the reception he will get next year in BPS? That will be worth the price of a season ticket!
backphil
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So, Doug is not Cowboy either!
Class 1980
CaliforniaCowboy
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backphil said:

So, Doug is not Cowboy either!
Exactly.

We need all fans that want to be Cowboys.

Just think of all the fans we have in Texas and other places that choose to be Cowboys because their kids attend OSU.

We need and want all people that choose to be Cowboy fans. I have some friends that previously had barely even heard of the State of Oklahoma that now follow the Cowboys.

All are welcome. If you want to be a Cowboy, then we want you.
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