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Cole Ford in Better Days

You wouldn?t think someone well-known from his days in the NFL would be so difficult to find. Then again, you wouldn?t suspect that someone who once had a promising career as a pro kicker would drive up to the Las Vegas home of Siegfried & Roy, fire shotgun blasts, and scream epithets.

On September 21^st, Las Vegas Police say Cole Ford drove to the magic duo?s sanctuary, fired on the building, screamed “We need to get these … out of our country,? drove off and returned a few minutes later to show again.

Not surprisingly, authorities believe the former NFL place-kicker should be considered ?armed and dangerous.?

This new Cole Ford doesn?t match up with those who recall him from USC and later the Oakland Raiders. A former coach at USC told reporters, Mr. Ford was ?A bright kid, a good-looking kid … he had it all. This is not the Cole Ford we all remember.?

But work as a kicker is tough. Mr. Ford told sports writers before his senior year in 1994: ?A kicker can get lonely out there, especially if you missed a couple of field goals the last game, You’re more sensitive to what people think. You have the feeling that you let your teammates down.?

After a career-ending injury and a string of sub-par kicking accuracy, Mr. Ford was cut by the Oakland Raiders, spent a short time with the Buffalo Bills and then was cut again. He moved to Las Vegas, worked day jobs and lived in motels. He stopped talking with family and friends and became a loner.

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Cole Ford in Better Days

Not surprisingly, authorities believe the former NFL place-kicker should be considered ?armed and dangerous.?

Last January, Mr. Cole was shooed away from the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino ? home of the Lance Burton Magic Show ? after he was seen scribbling notes on paper. He retaliated by filing a $5,000,000 lawsuit against the Monte Carlo. His theory was unique but sad: he alleged the Monte Carlo?s sportsbook should pay him for every wager made on any game in which he played.

Mr. Cole wrote in his complaint, ?The fact of the matter is, I’ve been trespassed on from the start of 1991 to 1998. I consider me private property.?

Observers at the court hearing on Mr. Cole?s complaint said he appeared ?out of it? but not ?violent or aggressive.?

Mr. Ford?s family set up a webpage and issued a press release / public plea:

Cole Ford is our son and brother.

Cole Ford with Oakland Raiders

After Cole’s release from the Oakland Raiders Football team, he became more and more reclusive and started showing signs of schizophrenic behavior. From 1997 to 1999 our family had very little contact with him. After 1999, Cole disappeared from our lives despite many efforts and attempts to contact or find him.

Cole grew up in Tucson, Arizona and enjoyed the life of a middle class family. He was a good student, liked animals, participated in many types of athletics, and was a loving son and great brother. He was a Tucson, Arizona prep football star playing a pivotal part in winning the Arizona State Championship. Cole later played for the University of Southern California and was then drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, played three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, and a short stint with the Buffalo Bills.

Although we have had very little contact with Cole since 1997, we knew him as a loving family member who was quick to help a stranger in need and made sure everyone in a group was included. He always wore a big smile and had a twinkle in his eye. We remember him on water ski trips, horse back rides, snow boarding, booming kick offs, mowing our lawn, and helping construct the family cabin.

The recent circumstances involving Cole have been very troubling to our family and our apologies go out to anyone he has affected in a negative way. We feel very fortunate that no one has been hurt and believe Cole has taken these actions as a cry for help. We are hoping Cole will be taken into custody without confrontation and given the care he needs. We feel that with proper help he can once again be a positive member of society.

The Ford’s