When you see Detroit Lions CB Mike Ford on the field in 2021, he will be no longer be wearing No. 38.
Instead, thanks to the NFL's new uniform rule, Ford was able to switch to the No. 2 jersey for the 2021 season.
Ford recently explained that he will be wearing No. 2 in honor of his childhood friend Demonte Wigfall, who was killed in a car accident in 2016.
From Detroit News:
“It was kind of a thing back home where like everybody, pretty much, after he passed away put on the No. 2,” said Ford, who grew up playing basketball and football with Wigfall.
“I wore No. 4 (at Southeast Missouri State) because that was my high school number. But finally being able to transition, put on that number for him, yeah, it means something to me. It’s very meaningful.”
“It’s been a while, so it didn’t hit me as it hit me when it first happened,” Ford said Monday. “But just being able to (have) it and let everybody back home know that I have this number on for him and it’s still a living-on thing. His mom reposted it and everybody, a lot of people showed a lot of support, and that’s why I have a lot of people back home that are buying this jersey.”
Great stuff, Mike. We will certainly be rooting for you as you honor your friend.
