Inside The Panthers

Former Pitt DB Signs With Pro Team

Former Pitt Panthers safety Paris Ford has gotten a new professional football opportunity.

Stephen Thompson

Oct 26, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Paris Ford (12) celebrates a defensive stop against the Miami Hurricanes during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Miami won 16-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Paris Ford (12) celebrates a defensive stop against the Miami Hurricanes during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Miami won 16-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers safety Paris Ford has is keeping his professional football career alive despite not being picked up by a UFL squad.

Ford, who starred for three seasons at Pitt during his college career, has signed with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Arena Football League, the team announced this week. Ford was one of multiple signings the team made this weekend, but financial details of his contract were not disclosed.

Ford was a star on the field for the Panthers during his time in school. He arrived as a four-star recruit, one of the highest-rated to ever commit to a Pat Narduzzi-coached team. Midway through his second standout year as a starter, he declared for the NFL Draft. Ford went undrafted but signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He was released from the Rams and spent a pair of successful years with the New Jersey Generals of the XFL before that league merged with the USFL and became the UFL.

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Stephen Thompson

STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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