That was nearly four years ago. And as he gears up for his final few college football games and prepares for his last semester at sea as a student at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, it’s clear he found a way to incorporate both.

Ford said he had considered enlisting in the military, but his brother, Joe, encouraged him to go the college route. He also said he had a lot of help and support from the rest of his family, and decided a school like Mass Maritime would give him both a military experience and an opportunity to play football.

“I decided to combine the two and Mass Maritime seemed like the best fit,” Ford said.

Although the Buccaneers haven’t had a banner season (they’re 1-5), Ford is hoping they’ll finish strong. They have four more games with the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth on tap for this weekend.

“We’ve had better seasons, but we’re hoping for a strong finish,” he said.

Ford, who starts at defensive end and is currently third on the team in tackles, said playing football at the college level was a bigger adjustment than he expected.    

“I kind of underestimated Division 3,” Ford said, describing a commitment which can sometime run six or more hours a day between practice, watching films and meetings.

“I used to think the high school practices were hard,” Ford said. “The intensity is so much more at the college level … but I understand the game so much more.”

When Ford graduates this spring, it will be with a degree in marine transportation, which essentially means a desk job is the last thing he’ll be doing. Marine transportation, Ford said, is driving ships. He’ll graduate with a United States Coast Guard third mate’s license, which is like a driver’s license only for unlimited sized ships.

Ford is in the Navy Strategist Sealife Office Program. When he got accepted, he got help with tuition. And when he graduates, he will be an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He will have an eight-year commitment.

“It’s just something different,” Ford said. “I love being on the water.”

As a student at Mass Maritime, Ford was required to do one semester (two months) at sea every year. To date, he’s been to Ecuador, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama City. This winter he’ll be a little closer to home (Fort Lauderdale, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas).

Ford said seniors are in charge of navigating a ship, although there is a third mate on board to make sure everything is OK.

“When you’re out there, you get real hands-on experience,” Ford said. “You’re in charge of this 547-foot ship. I’m really excited about that.”

Ford said he’s very happy with his decision to go to Mass Maritime.

“I absolutely recommend it,” Ford said. “It was a great decision.”

Ford said one of the most valuable things Mass Maritime teaches you is the ability to distinguish between leaders -- good and bad..