Like most athletes who retired early, T.J. Ford wants to continue playing the game.

Ford suffered a back injury in March that forced the former eighth overall pick to retire after playing only eight season in the NBA.

But the point guard tweeted Thursday morning that he still has the passion to play, and he hopes his body will agree.

Too much basketball left in @tj_ford feeling like I continue to get better. Not sure what I'm doing but we will see #lovethegame

—
TJ Ford (@tj_ford) July 26, 2012

My mind playing tricks on me. " my mind telling try to comeback but Will see what the body says

—
TJ Ford (@tj_ford) July 26, 2012

Ford played in 14 games last season with the Spurs before retiring. He had sat out the entire 2004-05 after undergoing spinal cord surgery, and after receiving an elbow in the back during a game last year, retired as a precaution.

In his NBA career, Ford averaged 11.2 points and 5.8 assists per game.

T.J. Ford announced today via Twitter that he plans to retire from the NBA.

It's official " I Retire from the NBA " as of today

—
TJ Ford (@tj_ford) March 12, 2012

Thanks to all my fans who follow my career since a kid from all over the world. Basketball has been great to me & my family for 28yrs

—
TJ Ford (@tj_ford) March 12, 2012

It was reported earlier today that the 28-year-old had intended to take an extended leave of absence from the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season. The former Wooden Award winner has been suffering from neck injuries.

Ford played just 14 games for the Spurs this year, and has managed to participate in just 227 out of a possible 377 games the past five seasons due to various injuries. This season, he has averaged just 3.6 points and 3.2 assists per contest.

Point guard T.J. Ford is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the San Antonio Spurs due to ongoing neck and spine issues. The 28-year-old is reportedly considering retirement.

Injury plagued Spurs guard TJ Ford is taking an indefinite leave of absence the rest of the season and is considering retirement.

—
Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) March 12, 2012

Ford has played just 14 games for the Spurs this season, and has managed to participate in just 227 out of a possible 377 games the past five seasons due to various injuries. This season, he has averaged just 3.6 points and 3.2 assists per contest.

At one time, Ford was considered one of the most promising young point guards in the game. In 2003-04 he was named NBA All-Rookie second team. His best professional season came in 2006-07 when he averaged 14 points and 7.9 assists per game.

As just a sophomore at the University of Texas, he was named the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year, and won the John R. Wooden Award at the age of 19.

The deep, dangerous roster of the San Antonio Spurs just got a little bit less so — reserve guard T.J. Ford will be out four to six weeks with a longitudinal tear of his left hamstring.

Ford sustained the injury in the first quarter of the Spurs’ loss to the Bucks last night. He was examined today by team physician David Schmidt, and an MRI confimed the torn hamstring.

The 28-year-old Ford, a lottery pick in the 2003 draft, has played for the Bucks, Raptors, Pacers and now the Spurs in his nine-year NBA career.

Ford was averaging 4.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.4 rebounds per game off the bench, backing up Spurs point guard Tony Parker. The 6-4 Spurs will take on the Rockets without Ford tonight.