Growing up a severe asthmatic in Texas, as well as Wisconsin, Ballard's parents reluctantly let him play football at a young age.

[7] He suffered knee injuries and was forced to retire from playing during his senior year at Wisconsin, working as a student assistant in the aftermath.

[9] After college, Ballard became a history teacher for Hitchcock Junior High while also contributing to their football program.

It was during this time that he declined a job offer to run first-year coach Art Briles' secondary at the University of Houston.

[7] During his time with the Bears, he was said to be involved with many acquisitions such as Matt Forte, Johnny Knox, Brandon Marshall, and Martellus Bennett.

While with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ballard was involved in drafting Pro-Bowlers Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Marcus Peters.