Charlie Ward facts for kids
Ward in 1991, when he played for Florida State
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| Florida A&M Rattlers | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 12, 1970 Thomasville, Georgia, U.S. |
| High school | Thomas County Central (Thomasville, Georgia) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Florida State (1990–1994) |
| NBA Draft | 1994 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1994–2005 |
| League | SWAC |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1994–2004 | New York Knicks |
| 2004 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2004–2005 | Houston Rockets |
| As coach: | |
| 2005–2007 | Houston Rockets (assistant) |
| 2018–2025 | Florida HS (FL) |
| 2025–present | Florida A&M |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 3,947 (6.3 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,648 (2.6 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,539 (4.0 apg) |
Charlie Ward Jr. (born October 12, 1970) is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He is famous for being a star athlete in two different sports. In college, he was an amazing football quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy, the highest award in college football.
After college, Ward chose to play professional basketball. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the New York Knicks for nine years, even helping them reach the 1999 NBA Finals. He also played for the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Because of his amazing college football career, he was added to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Contents
College Sports Career
A Star Quarterback
| No. 17 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 12, 1970 Thomasville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
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| Bowl games |
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| High school | Thomas County Central (Thomasville, Georgia) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| College Football Hall of Fame (2006) | |
Ward was the star quarterback for Florida State University. In 1993, he had an incredible season and won the Heisman Trophy. This award is given to the best player in all of college football. He also won other major awards like the Maxwell Award and the Davey O'Brien Award.
That same year, he led his team, the Seminoles, to their first-ever national championship. They beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 18–16 in the 1994 Orange Bowl. Ward won the Heisman Trophy by a huge number of votes, showing just how much people respected his talent. He is the only Heisman winner to ever play in the NBA.
Success on the Basketball Court
Besides football, Ward was also a talented basketball player for Florida State. He played point guard for four years. His teammates included future NBA players Sam Cassell and Bob Sura.
In 1993, his team made it deep into the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight. Ward still holds school records for the most steals in a career (236) and in a single game (9). Even after a long football season, he joined the basketball team just 15 days after winning the Heisman Trophy and became a starting player.
Professional Career
Choosing the NBA
When Ward graduated, he had to choose between playing professional football in the NFL or basketball in the NBA. He said he would only play in the NFL if a team picked him in the first round of the 1994 NFL draft. When no NFL team chose him in the first round, he decided to focus on basketball.
The New York Knicks selected him in the first round of the 1994 NBA draft. This made him the only Heisman Trophy winner to play in the NBA.
Years with the New York Knicks
Ward played for the Knicks for ten seasons. At first, he did not play much, but he worked hard. When Jeff Van Gundy became the coach, Ward got more playing time and became a fan favorite in New York. He was known as a great team leader and a good three-point shooter.
In 1999, he helped the Knicks get to the 1999 NBA Finals, but they lost to the San Antonio Spurs. Because the local NFL teams were struggling at the time, some fans in New York would joke that Ward was the "best quarterback in New York," even though he was playing basketball.
After his time with the Knicks, Ward played for the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets. He retired from basketball in 2005 after dealing with injuries.
A Heated Moment in the Playoffs
During a 1997 playoff game against the Miami Heat, things got intense. While trying to get a rebound, Ward was thrown to the ground by a Miami player named P. J. Brown. This started a big argument on the court.
Because several players from both teams left their benches, the NBA had to give out suspensions. Ward and some of his most important teammates, like Patrick Ewing, had to miss key games. The Knicks ended up losing the series to Miami.
Life After the NBA
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Ward became a coach. He started as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets. He later coached high school football and basketball in Texas and Florida.
In March 2018, he became the head basketball coach for Florida State University Schools in Tallahassee. On April 16, 2025, Ward was hired as the head coach for the Florida A&M Rattlers men's basketball team.
Charity Work and Personal Life
Ward is known for his work with charities, like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2011, he received the John Wooden Keys to Life award for his good character on and off the court. He also started The aWard Foundation to help young people through sports and education.
Ward and his wife, Tonja, have three children. In 2018, he had a health scare when he suffered a stroke but has since made a full recovery. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
See also
In Spanish: Charlie Ward para niños
