Denzel Ward

Career Transactions: Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (4th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Awards/Honors

• Three-time Pro Bowler (2018, 2021 and 2023).
• 2021 Browns Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
• Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 5 in 2018.
• Two-time Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 1, Week 5) in 2018.

Career Transactions: Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (4th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Awards/Honors

• Three-time Pro Bowler (2018, 2021 and 2023).
• 2021 Browns Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
• Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 5 in 2018.
• Two-time Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 1, Week 5) in 2018.

Key Notes

• Signed five-year extension in 2022 which runs through the 2027 season.
• Since entering the league in 2018, ranks tied for second in the NFL with 76 passes defensed.
• Became the first player since 1999 to have at least 10 passes defensed and two interceptions in each of his first six seasons (passes defensed did not become an official statistic until 1999).
• Recorded a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown at Cincinnati on Nov. 7, 2021. The play was the longest interception return in the NFL since 2018 and the second-longest in Browns history.
• Registered four career defensive touchdowns (two interception returns and two fumble returns).
• Helped Browns defense lead the NFL in total yards allowed and passing yards allowed in 2023.
• Only player in the NFL with two fumble return touchdowns in 2022. Tied for Browns lead with 15 passes defensed in 2022.
• Led team with 10 passes defensed and tied for team lead with three interceptions in 2021.
• Became the sixth Browns rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl and first since Joe Thomas in 2007.
• Tied for second in the NFL with a career-high 18 passes defensed in 12 games in 2020.
• Set career high with four passes defensed, including an interception against Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 2020.
• Recorded first career touchdown following a 61-yard interception return for a score against Cincinnati on Dec. 8, 2019.
• Finished tied for second among all NFL rookies with three interceptions in 2018.
• Became fourth-youngest player in NFL history with two interceptions in a game after recording two during his NFL debut in Week 1 in 2018.
• Joined Clarence Scott (Sept. 19, 1971) as only Browns rookies to record two INTs in NFL debut.
• Played high school (Nordonia), college (Ohio State) and professional (Browns) football all in the state of Ohio.

Personal

• Native of Macedonia, Ohio and attended Nordonia High School. Helped lead the school to a 14-1 record and the Division II state championship game in 2014.
• Qualified for state multiple times in track and field as part of Nordonia's 4x400-meter relay and as a long jumper.
• Majored in sports industry at Ohio State.
• Likes fixing houses and would be in real estate if he wasn't playing football.

Beyond Football

• Created the "Make Them Know Your Name" Foundation focused on heart health education, prevention, and treatment. Ward's father, Paul G. Ward Jr., passed away due to cardiac arrest that ultimately could have been prevented with earlier detection and intervention. "Make Them Know Your Name" is a mantra for Ward both on and off the field, inspired by his father.
• Started a scholarship foundation in his late father's name, for students in Bedford, Ohio. Paul was a long-time principal in the Bedford City School District.
• Has raised awareness for heart health through My Cause, My Cleats.
• Ward and the Make Them Know Your Name foundation covered monthly expenses for 21 people who struggled to sustain small businesses or employment in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country. The people he helped ranged from a video production company owner, a theatre owner, family-run pizza shop owners and more. His donations carried a significant impact on several businesses and people who could still keep their doors open today.
• Through foundation in 2022, made $150,000 donation supporting University Hospitals (UH) Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. They will launch a community education initiative surrounding heart health.
• Hosted Coat Drives annually during the past three winters, giving away more than 1,000 coats for students at East Prep Village Prep Willard School, Marion C. Seltzer Elementary and Garfield Elementary School.
• Has been volunteering at shelters and food banks during Thanksgiving since he was a young child, including at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.