Alabama’s massive win over LSU may have come with a loss that will be impossible for the Crimson Tide to replace
The Alabama Crimson Tide left their win over the LSU Tigers with a major scare on offense and what he told the medical staff shows why his locker room follows him.
The Alabama Crimson Tide came away with a massive win over the LSU Tigers on Saturday, but that win may have come at a cost. Alabama tight end Josh Ford, the Oklahoma State transfer who has become an impact player in Tuscaloosa, suffered what looked like a scary injury late in the game.
Ford still made it clear he wasn’t leaving on a cart. He told the medical staff, “No matter what, I’m walking off this football field.”
Josh Ford facts
- Transfer from Oklahoma State.
- Broke his arm against South Carolina.
- Played against Georgia just days after having surgery on the arm.
- Has played in every game since.
Josh Ford is the embodiment of Alabama toughness
If you’re surprised that Ford walked off under his own power, you haven’t been paying attention to his season. This is a player who was already dealing with a broken arm.
Ford broke his arm against South Carolina and surgery. He then played just a few days later against the Georgia Bulldogs and has suited up for every game since.
That is the definition of toughness. He is exactly the type of player you want when you’re trying to build or sustain a culture, and that’s precisely what the Crimson Tide are trying to do under coach Kalen DeBoer.
I believe Ford’s example is a big reason why you see that same mentality spreading through the roster. After the game, quarterback Keelon Russell made it clear he wasn’t going to let a bum ankle keep him off the field, and that he was going to go win the game for the Crimson Tide.
That doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Why losing Josh Ford hurts Alabama beyond the field
On the field, losing Ford would certainly hurt. He’s a Y tight end who does a lot of the dirty work as a blocker, and there’s no doubt Alabama would feel his absence in that role.
In reality, though, the bigger loss would be in the locker room. Ford is someone who galvanizes the team and brings everyone together. Think about it from a teammate’s perspective. If you have a bad toe, a bad foot, or a bad ankle like Russell, what do you look like sitting out a game when this guy broke his arm, had surgery, and went right back out there days later? In a position where his arm is vital to his blocking and catching,
That kind of influence is hard to replace, and it’s a big part of why this win over LSU had the feel it did.
What’s next for Josh Ford and the Crimson Tide
The injury didn’t look good. DeBoer was seen on the ground shaking his head, visibly frustrated and upset, and much of the Alabama roster shared that reaction.
It was good to see Ford walk off the field, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t surprised. This guy is as tough as nails.
For now, the right move is to wait for official word before speculating on exactly what Ford is dealing with. Whatever the diagnosis turns out to be, it’s an unfortunate blow for an Alabama team that has leaned on his presence all season long.
