Pineville High retires jersey of Cincinnati Bengals' Cody Ford

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·2 min read
Cincinnati Bengals player Cody Ford and Pineville High School alum was emotional Friday night at the Red River Rivalry between Pineville and Alexandria Senior High School. His PHS jersey number 74 was retired in a ceremony held at halftime.
Cincinnati Bengals player Cody Ford and Pineville High School alum was emotional Friday night at the Red River Rivalry between Pineville and Alexandria Senior High School. His PHS jersey number 74 was retired in a ceremony held at halftime.
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Cincinnati Bengals player Cody Ford was emotional Friday night at the Red River Rivalry between Pineville High School and Alexandria Senior High School.

He thought about the last time as a Pineville Rebel he played ASH in the Red River Rivalry. He went out on the field at D.C. “Bill’ Bates Stadium during the Red River Rivalry but this time it was for a ceremony retiring his old jersey number 74 as he was surrounded by family who were a blend of Pineville and ASH supporters.

“I’m filled with emotions. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m grateful. Blessed,” said Ford, who graduated from Pineville in 2015.

Pineville principal Dr. Karl Carpenter said during the ceremony that Ford started for three years as left tackle under football Head Coach Robbie Martin. He was selected 5A First Team All-State after his senior season. He earned a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma and later a bachelor's degree in criminology. While there, he was a member of the offensive line that earned the 2018 Joe Moore Award. He was also named to the All-American Team after his junior season.

Cincinnati Bengals player Cody Ford and Pineville High School alum smiles after his Pineville jersey number 74 was retired in a ceremony held during halftime of the Red River Rivalry between Pineville and Alexandria Senior High School on Friday.
Cincinnati Bengals player Cody Ford and Pineville High School alum smiles after his Pineville jersey number 74 was retired in a ceremony held during halftime of the Red River Rivalry between Pineville and Alexandria Senior High School on Friday.

Carpenter also went on to say that Ford entered the NFL Draft in 2019 and was the 38th overall pick. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round. Ford is the highest NFL draft pick from Rapides Parish and one of four players from Central Louisiana to be selected in the second round, said Carpenter.

After three years in Buffalo, Ford was traded to the Arizona Cardinals where he played for one year. He now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Before the game, Ford said he gave the Rebels a little pep talk.

“The main thing was letting them know that this was Pineville vs. ASH. The seniors will remember this game for the rest of their lives,” he said. “And I really had chills when I told them that because I thought about the last night I played ASH. I just told them, go out there and play ball and have fun. Don't take it too seriously.”

Ford said he hoped to inspire the guys coming up after him like he was inspired by former Pineville Rebel Kenny Mixon who played for the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings.

He used to walk by Mixon’s picture that was hanging in the old fieldhouse and think, “Why not me?”

“I used to walk by that every day and think that’s what I’m striving for,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Pineville Rebels retire jersey No. 74 of Cincinnati Bengal Cody Ford