Phil Ford: Tar Heel Trailblazer Posted Feb 8, 2016 Two-time ACC Male Athlete of the Year. Three-time All-America. National Player of the Year. Gold medalist. Phil Ford was already a legend. Now, the University of North Carolina is proud to officially recognize Ford as a Tar Heel Trailblazer. A native of Rocky Mount, Ford came to epitomize Carolina basketball under Dean Smith. (GoHeels.com)