2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tre Ford, QB, University of Waterloo

• Name: Tre Ford
• Position: QB
• College:  University of Waterloo
• Height: 6’ 0”
• Weight: 190 lbs
• Instagram: @Tre_Ford1

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft? 

I would say my mobility definitely stands out. The ability to extend plays for 5, 6, 7 seconds takes my game to a different level and is a huge asset in modern offenses. I’d also say my arm strength and accuracy put me in the conversation of being a top prospect. Those are fundamental skills of playing the quarterback position, and yet they vary from player to player. In my case, forcing the defense to cover the entire field (sideline to sideline) allows me to find open windows more easily, both in the pocket and on the run. Lastly, playing quarterback requires excellent critical thinking skills and that’s something I have in spades. In high-stress situations, I keep a cool head and make great decisions under pressure which allows me to execute on game day.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

​I first started playing football when I was six years old. My father introduced me and my twin brother to the game. Our family has always been involved with football whether it beplaying catch in the backyard, watching it together on Sundays,or simply cheering each other on from the sidelines. Oddly enough, it was my older brother’s injury when I was nine years old that started my career as a quarterback, which is where I began to thrive on the football field.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

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​I think NFL teams should know that I have a vibrant and energetic personality, but at my core, I’m just a guy that loves to compete and that is what drew me to football. I like to use my charisma to push my teammates to be focused and engaged, which aids my team in reaching its full potential. Moreover, I’m thoroughly in love with every aspect of the sport of football. I enjoy organizing game-tape watch sessions, initiating team skelly’s during COVID school closures and coaching my fiancé’s flag football team. My love of the game makes me extremely dedicated to both my team and the sport. No matter where my career takes me, my life-course will always be tightly linked to football, either through playing or coaching the game. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

​If I could donate to one cause, I would choose goodsports.org since its primary goal is to donate basic gear and equipment to underserved youth sport organizations. I would love to help children from similar socio-economic backgroundsto mine play the game they love. Football has served as a gateway to post-secondary education for both my brother and I, and my goal would be to share that opportunity with other young athletes. Football is a sport that requires extensive equipment and I don’t want that to be a barrier for any child interested in playing the game.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

​The best advice I have ever received is to “block out all the background noise.” In essence, this means you must ignore what other people are saying, doing, or accomplishing, and just focus on yourself. People will doubt you, talk about you, and try to devalue your accolades but all you can control is your work ethic and that should be your sole focus. Don’t waste your time and energy paying attention to anything else. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

​Jackie Robinson was my childhood hero for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Whenever I experienced racism in sport, I always thought of all the hate he experienced during his playing career. The grace he employed in thosesituations never failed to bring me patience and strength.  

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

​Mike Reid is the most underrated teammate in our locker room. He’s a slightly undersized linebacker that continues to perform on the field and gets little to no credit. He’s always giving it his all, both on the field and in the gym, which makes him such a great leader. Keep up the great work Mike! 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

​My biggest pet peeve is when a player doesn’t give it his all in practice. Some players believe they don’t need to be there since they already clinched a starting spot. I think that mentality is detrimental to player development and the team. If you have the potential to be better, why not take advantage?

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

​The hardest event that I had to overcome occurred when my father was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was an extremely challenging time for me, and it put a lot of my goals in perspective. It made me critically analyze the integrity of the relationships in my life and determine if they were beneficial for my growth as a man and as an athlete. All in all, it made me a better person and a more determined player. I now step on the field grateful that my health allows me to play the game I love and I’m forever thankful that my father is in the stands able to cheer me on.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

​My school is so special to me because I created life-long friendships here in addition to a support system that will be instrumental to my future football career. Initially, I chose Waterloo because Chris Bertoia, our head coach, saw my potential as a quarterback when many other schools wanted me to switch positions. His unwavering faith in my abilities was instrumental to my success during my 3-year career at Waterloo. Moreover, the University of Waterloo is renowned for itsRecreation and Sport Business program which is a great way for athletes to pursue a career in sport after the conclusion of their athletic careers. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

​My favorite snack food has to be peanut butter M&M’s. They’re always my go-to treat and never fail to put me in a good mood. 

What is the best part of football? 

​Ultimately, the best part of football is stepping on the field on game day and getting the opportunity to play. That is why I put myself through such a grueling training regimen; it’s all to be able to perform well when that time comes. I also love how the game creates such strong bonds between teammates; you could say I’ve developed a “football family” that includes many of my past and current teammates. Those bonds are iron-tight and shaped me into the man I am today. Football has taught me many important life skills, such as discipline, respect, teamwork, and perseverance. I believe these skills are instrumental in my success on and off the field.  

If you could sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

​I’m a young athletic quarterback with an extremely determined mindset that wakes up every day ready to compete, succeed, and win.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL, who would it be? 

I would have to compare myself to Kyler Murray. Murray is an exceptionally mobile quarterback that never fails to make plays in key situations, even if he’s considered to be undersized. He couples his quick feet with great throwing abilities which is something I emulate. He’s an astonishing athlete that realistically could have excelled at a great number of sports, but luckily for us football fans, he chose football. He’s a polarizing quarterback that has never let his size impede his success or his playmaking ability on the field. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

​I would have to choose Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and Roger Bannister. I would love to meet Jackie Robinson because he paved the way for African American professional athletes in Major League Baseball, while also being a positive force for racial integration during the 1960s. Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time while simultaneously advocating for Black pride and the continued resistance to white domination. Roger Bannister was the first to break the 4-minute mile. He accomplished this great feat while remaining kind, compassionate, and unarrogant. He retired from international sport to focus on his career in medicine, which I find incredible. I believe all three of these athletes excelled athletically whilemaintaining a strong moral compass and I think I could learn a lot from them.