Chris Ford, who won three titles as a member of the Boston Celtics, died at age 74 on Tuesday night according to his family.
“Chris was beloved by his family, friends, and teammates,” Ford’s family said in a statement. “He had a great love for his family, the city of Boston, the fans, and the entire Celtics family. He always showed humility and respect for all those that were fortunate enough to be a part of his life.”
Ford joined the Celtics via trade in 1978 and became an integral part of the franchise for much of the next decade, winning a title with the 1981 team alongside Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. After he retired in 1982, he became an assistant coach, winning titles in 1984 and 1986 before becoming head coach in 1990. He went 228-188 over five seasons at the helm, winning two division titles. He went on to coach the Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers over four seasons.
The Celtics released a statement in Ford’s honor on Wednesday afternoon.
“As a player and coach, Chris Ford’s career spanned over a decade of Celtics basketball, and he made his mark every step of the way,” the team said. “He was a member of three NBA World Championship Boston Celtics teams, one as a key player on the 1981 Champions, and subsequently as an assistant coach for the 1984 and 1986 champs. Ford went on to become the team’s eleventh head coach, leading his former teammates Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish to multiple playoff appearances in the trio’s final days together. ‘Doc,’ as he was affectionately known by his teammates, was a fundamentally versatile all-around guard. He was voted the team’s MVP in his first season with the Celtics, and he is famously credited with scoring the NBA’s first three-point basket. Ford joined an elite group of Celtics’ personnel (Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, and K.C. Jones) who have earned championship rings as both a player and coach with the organization. The Boston Celtics sends their deepest sympathies to the Ford family and their many friends.”