Felicia Ford-Reader, wife of the late David Reader Sr. and mother of D.J. Reader, JR. of the Detroit Lions, hails from Greensboro, NC. Born into the athletic Ford family, her father, Ervin L. Ford, played in the Negro League (Indianapolis Clowns). Felicia was a standout athlete at Grimsley High School and North Carolina A&T State University, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989. She has always been a strong advocate for scholar-athletes.
As the mother of a two-sport athlete, Felicia became actively involved in recruiting and life after sports, joining “The Momma Huddle” to educate parents. She is passionate about community service and holds roles with the Grimsley Alumni Association, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and the National Kidney Foundation.
Felicia recently retired after 36 years at American Express, where she served as a supervisor and was Green Belt and Total Response Certified. She lives by the “5 F’s of Life”—Faith, Family, Football, Future, and Fun.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”