In a shocking turn of events, former NFL running back Derrick Ward, celebrated for his Super Bowl win with the New York Giants, found himself in handcuffs on Monday in Los Angeles. The charges? Multiple alleged robberies that have sent shockwaves through the sports community.
Ward, who played a crucial role in the Giants’ historic victory against Tom Brady’s undefeated New England Patriots in the 2007-08 season, now faces accusations of robbing several businesses, including gas stations.
Local authorities revealed that the 43-year-old Los Angeles native didn’t resort to firearms in these alleged crimes. Instead, the imposing 6-foot, 230-pound Ward reportedly employed force and intimidation to extract cash from the targeted establishments.
As of Tuesday, Ward remains in police custody, with his bail set at $250,000, as reported by TMZ. The former NFL star’s fall from grace has left many fans and pundits in disbelief.
Ward’s journey in the NFL was marked by both highs and lows. He spent eight years in the league, playing for notable teams like the Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans. His tenure with the Giants was especially memorable, where he formed a dynamic backfield trio alongside Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, aptly nicknamed “Earth, Wind and Fire.”
However, Ward’s dreams of playing in the Super Bowl were shattered when he suffered a fractured left fibula during the 2007 season, ending his campaign prematurely. Reflecting on this challenging period, he once confided to The Post, “One of the hardest experiences I’ve ever been through.” Despite missing the Super Bowl, Ward expressed his gratitude for receiving a Super Bowl ring as a token of his contribution to the team’s remarkable season.
Ward’s resilience shone through in the subsequent season, where he achieved a career-high of 1,023 rushing yards with an impressive 5.6 yards per attempt. His exceptional performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $17 million contract with the Buccaneers in 2009.
Throughout his NFL career, Ward appeared in 93 games, amassing 2,628 rushing yards on 551 attempts, accompanied by 12 touchdowns. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, his perseverance and determination made him a memorable figure in the league.
Ward’s journey to the NFL began when he was selected by the Jets in the seventh round (235th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. Though his initial NFL aspirations were with the Jets, he was released before the start of the season, leading him to attend Fresno State and Ottawa University in Kansas before eventually declaring for the NFL.
The shocking news of Ward’s arrest has left sports enthusiasts and former teammates in disbelief, with many struggling to reconcile the image of the triumphant Super Bowl champion with the allegations now surrounding him.
In a league where players’ actions on and off the field are closely scrutinized, Derrick Ward’s fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life after the NFL. As the legal proceedings unfold, the sports world will undoubtedly watch closely, hoping for a resolution that offers clarity and closure to this unexpected chapter in Ward’s life.
