My friends,
There are some Bahamians whose lives remind us just how much potential lives within these islands, how far a willing heart and a determined spirit can go. Eddie Ford was that kind of Bahamian.
He wasn’t born into wealth or advantage.
He didn’t have access to modern training facilities or sports academies.
What he had was a gift, a will to succeed, and a love for the game, every game. He grew up like so many young Bahamian boys, playing ball wherever there was space, using whatever equipment could be found, guided by faith, family, and community.
And from those humble beginnings came one of the finest athletes our country has ever known.
Eddie could walk onto a baseball field, a basketball court, a cricket pitch, or a softball diamond, and the entire atmosphere would change. He had that rare combination of natural ability and mental discipline, the kind of focus that separated him from the rest.
But what truly made Eddie special beyond the trophies, the records, or the medals, was how he carried himself in victory and in defeat.
He was calm, respectful, and deeply aware that he was part of something bigger than himself.
He knew that when he put on a Bahamian uniform, he represented all of us.
His accomplishments were extraordinary. In basketball, he gave us a moment that few nations ever see, one man scoring 100 points in a single game.
In softball, he led The Bahamas to a gold medal in Mexico and was named Most Valuable Player. In baseball, he earned a contract with the Houston Astros organization, showing the world that Bahamians could compete on the international stage.
And in cricket, he scored 176 runs not out in London, one of the great achievements in our sporting history.
But even with all of that success, Eddie never became distant or proud. He stayed rooted in the same values that shaped him as a young man, discipline, humility, and love for community.
When his own playing days ended, he didn’t step away from the sport. He stepped closer. He became an umpire, a coach, and a mentor. He shared what he had learned with those who came after him, because Eddie believed that his talent wasn’t his alone, it was a gift meant to help others grow.
That, to me, is the true measure of greatness.
Eddie Ford’s story is the story of The Bahamas itself. It is the story of how far we can go when we believe in our own. He proved that greatness could come from our neighborhoods, our schools, and our local fields. He proved that Bahamian talent can stand proudly beside the best in the world.
He was, in every sense, the finest example of Bahamian potential.
The Ford family name has long been linked with sporting excellence. His brothers, sisters, and relatives all followed the path he helped to build. And even now, generations later, young Bahamians are still inspired by what Eddie achieved, not because he chased fame, but because he lived with purpose.
Eddie didn’t talk about greatness, he showed it. He didn’t look for praise, he earned respect. He didn’t wait for opportunity, he created it.
And even when sickness came, he faced it the same way he faced every challenge in his life, with quiet strength, courage, and faith. He fought hard. He remained gracious. And he left this world with dignity.
To his family, on behalf of my wife Ann, the Government, and the people of The Bahamas, I offer our deepest condolences. I know your loss is great. But I also know that you can take comfort in the impact of Eddie’s life, because it was a life well lived.
To the young athletes here today, remember Eddie Ford. Remember that your greatness begins long before anyone calls your name or cheers your performance. It begins in the hours of practice, in the moments when no one is watching, in the choices you make to stay focused, disciplined, and true.
Eddie showed us that success is not reserved for the few, it belongs to those who are willing to give their all.
Today, we celebrate him not only for the records he broke but for the hope he gave. He taught us that The Bahamas is rich with talent, that our best days are never behind us, and that the next Eddie Ford might be among us right now, practicing in a neighborhood field, dreaming big, believing that anything is possible.
As we stand here in the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, one great Bahamian honouring another, we are reminded that this is what legacy looks like, when one life lights the way for many others.
Eddie Ford lived with purpose, competed with heart, and inspired with humility.
It is my hope that his story never fade from our memory, and that his example continue to lift us higher.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, forever remembered as one of the greatest sons of The Bahamas.