Denzel Ward
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Cornerback | Ohio State University | 7 |
EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD
Denzel Ward has demonstrated excellence on the field since being drafted by the Browns in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, Ward became the fourth-youngest player in NFL history with two interceptions after recording two during his NFL debut in Week 1 in 2018. Additionally, Ward became the sixth Browns rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl and first since Joe Thomas in 2007. Since entering the league, Denzel has been named to three Pro Bowl teams (2018, 2021, and 2023) and ranks tied for second in the NFL with 76 passes deflected. During his Pro Bowl campaign in 2021, Denzel led the team with 10 passes defensed and tied the team lead with three interceptions. Highlighted by a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Cincinnati, the play was the longest interception return in the NFL since 2018 and second- longest in Browns history. The following season, Ward was the only player in the NFL with two fumble return touchdowns and led the Browns with 15 passes defensed. His continued success on the field has resulted in being named a team captain for the first time in his career for the 2024-2025 season.
POSITIVE CHARACTER & A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING BACK
Denzel Ward has shown a model lifestyle of giving back and positive character throughout his time in Northeast Ohio. In the creation of his Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, Denzel used the principles learned from his father to spearhead the mission of his philanthropy. Denzel started his foundation following the unexpected loss of his father, Paul G. Ward Jr., to cardiac arrest while participating in a spin class at 46 years old. Throughout Denzel's life, Paul emphasized to 'Make Them Know Your Name' in all aspects of life from the football field to his off-field endeavors. Ward and his foundation have vowed to take this message and honor his late father by providing heart health education, prevention, and treatment to his community. Through this work, over 35,000 people have been successfully trained in CPR and AED usage by in-person training sessions, signature events, and PSAs. The work of the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation has created positive legal change with the signing of House Bill 47, requiring all public school and non-public charter schools – along with all municipally owned or operated sports and recreational centers – to have automatic external defibrillators. The legislation also required the Ohio Department of Health to develop a model emergency action plan for the use of AEDs and for support staff and coaches to know how to perform CPR and use an AED. In providing hundreds of AEDs across the greater Cleveland community, MTKYN has created safer environments for all. Denzel's lifelong passion for helping his local community has been consistently seen outside of heart health efforts. Since he was a child, Ward has been volunteering at shelters and food banks during the holiday season, providing financial assistance to local businesses, and donating necessities to students and community members in need.
DEDICATION & COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS
THIS YEAR
Denzel Ward has served the local community through his Make Them Know Your Name Foundation as well as continued involvement with Cleveland Browns community programming and initiatives. Established in 2019, MTKYN is focused on preventing heart-related fatalities in communities across the nation by providing the resources necessary to educate people in the various aspects of heart health. During the offseason, Ward traveled to the Columbus Statehouse where he helped to provide written testimonies in support of House Bill 47. A few months later, House Bill 47 was signed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, requiring all public school and non- public charter schools – along with all municipally owned or operated sports and recreational centers – to have automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill also required the Ohio Department of Health to develop a model emergency action plan for the use of AEDs and for support staff and coaches to know how to perform CPR and use an AED. Additionally, this season, MTKYN committed $150,000 to bring over 100 state-of-the-art, lifesaving Avive Connect AEDS to local nonprofits, community organizations, small businesses and houses of worship in the Cleveland community. Alongside Avive Solutions, MTKYN has partnered with the NFL's Smart Health Sports Coalition to develop the coalition's "AEDs For Youth" program aimed at providing affordable AED and CPR training for K-12 school and youth organizations. Following this work, Ward was named a 2024 Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassador for the American Heart Association. Throughout the year, MTKYN hosted multiple signature community events, including the Cleveland All-Star Fitness Expo, Pop Up in the Park, and Fitness Under the Lights, drawing thousands of participants from the community. Through his local youth and high school football efforts, Denzel has engaged with multiple local athletes and programs. During the spring, Ward hosted his annual 'Denzel Ward Elite Skills Football Camp' where over 300 Greater Cleveland youth participants learned key lifesaving skills involving AEDS and CPR followed by hands-on football instruction from Denzel. The camp is free of charge and serves as an opportunity for MTKYN to educate athletes on heart health and safety. In continuation of his local support, Denzel helped surprise the Bedford High School football team with Xenith helmets during Cleveland Browns Training Camp. Additionally, during Browns Training Camp and OTAs, Ward spent time with local girl's high school flag football teams, Special Olympics athletes, and head coaches of Greater Cleveland high school football teams.
IN YEARS PAST
Denzel Ward has shown continued commitment to improving the Greater Cleveland community throughout his career with the Cleveland Browns. Denzel has provided adequate resources and opportunities for community members alongside the work of his foundation, Make Them Know Your Name. Ward started the Paul G. Ward Jr. Scholarship, in honor of his late father, that provides eligible students in need of financial assistance with college tuition in the Bedford City Schools District. Since entering the NFL, Ward has helped to provide winter essentials for students, including coats to students at East Village Prep Willard School, Marion C. Seltzer Elementary, Garfield Elementary, and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. In 2022, Make Them Know Your Name donated $150,000 to University Hospitals (UH) Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, helping launch the AED in 3 program. Through this partnership, AED in 3 aims to raise awareness about the importance of practicing and implementing an Emergency Action Plan in the potential accident of a sudden cardiac collapse with athletes. Funding and PSAs implemented by Ward have aimed to help create safer athletic venues for athletes around the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward and the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation covered monthly expenses for 21 people who struggled to sustain small businesses or employment while the country was shut down. Ranging from a video production company owner, a theatre owner, family businesses and more, the foundation covered large expenses aimed at providing essential relief to keep doors open. Last season, Make Them Know Your Name partnered with Kaulig Giving to provide an AED to a local organization following each win by the Cleveland Browns. Organizations in need had the opportunity to register on the MTKYN website where following each win, Ward and the foundation provided an automatic external defibrillator. To create additional awareness within the Cleveland Browns organization, Make Them Know Your Name hosted two interactive sessions for staff members to be trained in CPR and AED usage. All staff members who participated received their CPR certification. Annually, the foundation hosts signature community events, including the Cleveland All-Star Fitness Expo, Pop Up in the Park, Denzel Ward Elite Skills Football Camp, and Fitness Under the Lights, aimed at providing local community members with necessary heart health resources. Ward has annually helped raise additional awareness for heart health through supporting MTKYN during the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative.
