Terrance Jerod "T. J." Ford was born March 24, 1983, in Houston, Texas. 

In his first season at Texas, Ford not only led the team in steals and minutes per game, he became the first freshman player in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists (8.27 per game). In 2003, he helped lead Texas to its first Final Four since 1947. To honor Ford, his #11 jersey was retired by his university, making him the fourth University of Texas athlete in any sport (and the first basketball player) to have such an honor, joining Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, Roger Clemens. Kevin Durant now joins the group.

Having been awarded numerous top basketball accolades in college, Ford entered the 2003 NBA Draft and was selected eighth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. Ford's recurring back injuries resulted in him missing many games in his three seasons with the Bucks, but in 2005, it was announced that he was fit to play basketball again. Ford was traded to the Raptors prior to the 2006-07 NBA season, and established himself as the starting point guard, helping the team win the Atlantic Division crown and reach the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Following an injury sustained in the 2007-08 NBA season. He was then traded to the Indiana Pacers and averaged almost 15 points a game in 2008-2009.

Off the court, Ford set up the TJ Ford Foundation in 2004 to help participants achieve their academic, personal and civil goals. He retired from the NBA in 2012 due to injuries.