Derrick Ward facts for kids
Ward with the Houston Texans in 2010
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | August 30, 1980 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Valley View (Moreno Valley, California) | ||||||||||||
| College: |
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| NFL Draft: | 2004 / Round: 7 / Pick: 235 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Derrick LaRon Ward (born August 30, 1980) is a former professional football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). Derrick Ward was chosen by the New York Jets in the 2004 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans.
Ward played college football at Fresno State University and Ottawa University. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. He is also the cousin of former Patriots running back J.R. Redmond.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Derrick Ward grew up in Moreno Valley, California. He went to Valley View High School. There, he was a star player in football.
High School Achievements
In his final year of high school, Ward had an amazing season.
- He ran for 1,100 yards.
- He caught passes for 973 yards.
- He scored 17 touchdowns.
He was named the Sun Belt League Offensive MVP. This means he was the best offensive player in his league.
College Football Journey
Derrick Ward played college football for several years. During his college career, he ran for a total of 3,152 yards. He also scored 39 touchdowns.
Playing for Fresno State
Ward started his college career at Fresno State University. In his first year, he was named a Freshman All-America. This was a big honor for a new player. He gained 1,091 yards and scored 11 touchdowns there.
However, he faced challenges with his studies. He was unable to play in 1998, 2001, and 2002 because of academic rules.
Success at Ottawa University
For his last year of college football in 2003, Ward moved to Ottawa University in Kansas. He had an incredible season there.
- He set new records for the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).
- He ran for 2,061 yards.
- He scored 28 touchdowns.
- He averaged 7.8 yards per carry, which is very high.
Derrick Ward's NFL Career
Derrick Ward played in the NFL for several teams. He was known for his strong running and being a good teammate.
Starting with the New York Jets
The New York Jets picked Derrick Ward in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft. This was the 235th pick overall. However, he was released by the Jets before the 2004 season officially began.
Time with the New York Giants
Ward joined the New York Giants in 2004. He had a very good season in 2007. He ran for 602 yards and scored three touchdowns.
In 2008, Ward and his fellow running backs, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, were given a fun nickname. They were called "Earth (Jacobs), Wind (Ward), and Fire (Bradshaw)." This was because they were all very successful together.
On December 21, 2008, Ward had an amazing game. He ran for 215 yards against the Carolina Panthers. This helped the Giants win and secure a home-field advantage for the playoffs. He finished the 2008 season with 1,025 rushing yards. This made him and Brandon Jacobs one of the few pairs of teammates to each run for over 1,000 yards in a single season.
Moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2009, Ward signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He signed a four-year contract. In his season with the Buccaneers, he ran for 409 yards and scored one touchdown. He was released by the team in August 2010.
Finishing with the Houston Texans
Ward then joined the Houston Texans in September 2010. He played for them until 2011. On July 3, 2012, Derrick Ward announced that he was retiring from professional football.
Images for kids
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Ward with the Houston Texans in 2010
