Wikipedia

Charvarius Ward

Charvarius "Mooney" Ward (born May 16, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

Charvarius Ward
refer to caption
Ward with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019
No. 7 – San Francisco 49ers
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1996-05-16) May 16, 1996 (age 28)
McComb, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:McComb
College:
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Total tackles:394
Pass deflections:66
Interceptions:10
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life and college

edit

Ward attended McComb High School.[1][2] As a senior, he tallied 48 tackles, one interception and received All-region honors.[3]

He enrolled at Hinds Community College.[4] As a freshman, he collected 32 tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 passes defended and one forced fumble. As a sophomore, he recorded 32 tackles, one interception, 2 passes defended and one blocked kick.

He transferred to Middle Tennessee State University for his junior season, appearing in 12 games with 2 starts, while making 26 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defended, one quarterback hurry and one fumble recovery. As a senior, he played in 13 games with 8 starts, posting 48 tackles (sixth on the team), 3 tackles for loss, one sack and led the team with 14 passes defended.

Professional career

edit

Pre-draft

edit

Ward did not receive an invitation to attend the NFL Combine. On January 20, 2018, Ward played the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.[5] On March 12, 2018, Ward attended Middle Tennessee State's pro day and performed all of the combine and positional drills.[6] He had a stellar performance at his pro day which greatly elevated his draft stock.[7] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Ward was ranked as the 46th best cornerback prospect in the 2018 NFL draft by DraftScout.com.[8]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+5⁄8 in
(1.84 m) 		198 lb
(90 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.44 s 1.71 s 2.62 s 4.56 s 7.52 s 31 in
(0.79 m)		 11 ft 0 in
(3.35 m)		 12 reps
All values from Middle Tennessee State Pro Day[8]

Dallas Cowboys

edit

On April 30, 2018, the Dallas Cowboys signed Ward to a three-year, $1.71 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5,000.[9] Throughout training camp, Ward competed to be the fifth cornerback on the active roster against Marquez White, Duke Thomas, and Donovan Olumba.[10]

Kansas City Chiefs

edit

2018

edit

On August 30, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs traded offensive guard Parker Ehinger to the Cowboys in exchange for Ward to provide needed depth for their offensive line.[11] Head coach Andy Reid named Ward the fifth backup cornerback on the active roster to begin the regular season, behind Steven Nelson, Kendall Fuller, Orlando Scandrick, and Tremon Smith.[12]

On October 1, 2018, Ward made his professional regular season debut and recorded three combined tackles during a 27–23 victory at the Denver Broncos in Week 4 .[13] On December 23, 2018, Ward earned his first career start after Kendall Fuller was ruled inactive due to a thumb injury.[14][15] He recorded eight combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Chiefs lost 38–31 at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. Ward finished his rookie season in 2018 with 30 combined tackles (26 solo) and three pass deflections in 13 games and two starts.[16]

The Chiefs finished first in the AFC West with a 12–4 record and earned a first round bye.[17] On January 12, 2019, Ward started in his first career playoff game and recorded four combined tackles and deflected four passes during a 31–13 win against the Indianapolis Colts in the American Football Conference (AFC) Divisional Round.[18] The following week, he collected seven combined tackles in the Chiefs' 37–31 loss against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. With 54 seconds remaining in the game, Ward caught what would've been the game-ending interception to send the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIII, but the play did not stand due to an offside penalty by defensive end Dee Ford.[19]

2019

edit

Ward competed against Bashaud Breeland to be a starting cornerback. Head coach Andy Reid named Ward and Bashaud Breeland the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season in 2019.[20] On September 15, 2019, Ward made four combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception during a 28–10 win at the Oakland Raiders in Week 2. Ward intercepted a pass by Derek Carr, that was originally intended for wide receiver Ryan Grant, and returned it for a ten-yard gain during the third quarter.[21] He scored two points for the Chiefs when he recorded a defensive extra point return in a Week 13 game against the Raiders.[22] Ward then made his second interception against the Houston Texans, by snagging a one handed interception over DeAndre Hopkins.[23] He finished the 2019 season with 74 total tackles (56 solo), two interceptions, ten passes defended, and one forced fumble.[24] Ward helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LIV where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 31–20. Ward recorded four tackles in the game.[25]

2020

edit

After Bashaud Breeland was suspended for the first four games of 2020,[26] Ward was named the No. 1 starting cornerback for Week 1 of the 2020 season.[27] Ward missed Week 2 with a fractured hand suffered in Week 1, but returned in week three.[28] In Week 7 against the Broncos, Ward recorded a team high nine tackles and sacked Drew Lock once during the 43–16 win.[29] Overall, Ward finished the 2020 season with 51 total tackles, one sack, and six passes defended.[30] Ward helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LV for their second straight Super Bowl appearance, where they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 31–9.[31]

2021

edit

The Chiefs placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Ward on March 17, 2021.[32] He signed the one-year contract on June 10.[33] Ward was named starting cornerback to begin the regular season for the third straight year.[34] Before Week 3, Ward strained his hamstring.[35] He missed four games, returning in Week 7.[36] In Week 11, Ward recorded his third career interception against the Dallas Cowboys off of Dak Prescott in one on one coverage against CeeDee Lamb.[37] Ward had a great performance in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording a career-high 10 tackles, and only allowing one completion for 27 yards.[38] He was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 20, 2021.[39] He was activated on December 23, 2021.[40] Ward got his fourth career interception and second of the year next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on an overthrown pass by Ben Roethlisberger intended for RayRay McCloud.[41] He finished the regular season with 67 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass defenses.[42]

The Chiefs made the playoffs again in 2021, but fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship, 27–24.[43] In the entire postseason, Ward recorded 16 tackles and three pass defenses.[42] This would turn out to be the end of Ward's time with the Chiefs, as he subsequently entered free agency.

San Francisco 49ers

edit

2022

edit

On March 17, 2022, Ward signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers.[44][45] He recorded his fifth career interception and first as a 49er in a Week 2, 27–7 victory over the Seahawks.[46] The following week he recorded his second career forced fumble in a 11–10 loss to the Broncos.[47] In the week 15 rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, Ward recorded his first career fumble recovery, which he took for 40 yards to set up a Christian McCaffrey touchdown in a 21–13 win that secured the NFC West for the 49ers.[48] He finished the season, having played and started in every game for the first time since 2019, with career highs in tackles (87) and pass deflections (11).[49]

2023

edit

In the 49ers' 2023 season opener against the Steelers, Ward recorded his sixth career interception in a 30–7 victory.[50] In Week 6 he recorded his third career forced fumble in a 19–17 loss against the Cleveland Browns[51] then, the following week, he recorded his seventh career interception and had a chance for an eighth before the ball was ripped away and taken for a touchdown by Jordan Addison in a 22–17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.[52] In Week 15, Ward recorded two interceptions in a 45–29 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the first of which he returned 66 yards for his first career touchdown.[53] After the game, Ward reported having practiced catching throws from 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold during the prior week and planning to do so every week from then on.[54] He finished the season, having played and started in every game for the second consecutive year, with career highs in interceptions (5) and pass deflections (23),[55] leading the league in the latter stat.[56] He earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.[57] Ward helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LVIII where they lost to his former team, the Chiefs, 25 to 22 in overtime. He had four total tackles in the game.[58]

2024

edit

In week 6, Following a knee injury suffered in the 49ers' 23–24 loss against the Cardinals the week prior, Ward was inactive for the 49ers' 36–24 victory over the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.[59] He was listed as inactive due to a personal matter for the 49er's Week 10, 23-20 win over the Buccaneers[60] and continues to be listed as inactive as of Week 12.[61] He was reactivated on Week 14 against the 49ers' 38-18 victory over the Bears.

NFL career statistics

edit
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

edit
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2018 KC 13 2 30 26 4 — 3 — — — — — — — — —
2019 KC 16 16 74 56 18 — 10 2 10 10.0 10 — 1 — — —
2020 KC 14 13 51 38 13 1.0 6 — — — — — — — — —
2021 KC 13 12 67 48 19 — 10 2 — — — — — — — —
2022 SF 17 17 87 59 38 — 11 1 9 9.0 9 — 1 1 40 —
2023 SF 17 17 72 56 16 — 23 5 91 18.2 66T 1 1 — — —
2024 SF 10 7 50 35 15 — 6 — — — — — — — — —
Career 100 82 403 318 113 1.0 69 10 110 11.0 66T 1 3 1 40 —

Postseason

edit
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds TD
2018 KC 2 1 11 6 5 — 4 — — —
2019 KC 3 3 9 7 2 — 1 — — —
2020 KC 3 3 18 15 3 — 1 — — —
2021 KC 3 3 16 12 4 — 3 — — —
2022 SF 3 3 13 12 1 — 3 — — —
2023 SF 3 3 10 8 2 — 1 — — —
Career 17 16 77 60 17 — 13 — — —

Personal life

edit

Ward prefers to go by his childhood nickname "Mooney", bestowed upon him by his mother.[62] The origin of the name is not known by Ward or his mother. "Everybody in my family has got a nickname," he said. "Nobody gets called by their real name. It’s just a Mississippi thing, I guess."[63]

Ward lost his 1 year-old daughter Amani Joy Ward on October 28, 2024. Amani was born prematurely on November 17, 2022 with Down Syndrome and had suffered heart issues throughout her short life.[64]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Charvarius Ward, McComb , Cornerback". 247Sports. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Levine, Blake (February 6, 2024). "McComb grad to play in Super Bowl". WJTV. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "Charvarius Ward – Football". Middle Tennessee State University Athletics. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Charvarius Ward – Football". Hinds Community College Athletics. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "American cornerback Charvarius Ward from Middle Tennessee during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". Getty Images. January 26, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Fedotin, Jeff (March 21, 2022). "How 49ers Signee Charvarius Ward Went From Unwanted Prospect To $40 Million Man". Forbes. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Bedinger, Sayre (May 15, 2018). "Dallas Cowboys have UDFA gem in CB Charvarius Ward (Video)". NFLMocks.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Charvarius Ward – CB – Middle Tennessee – 2018 Draft Scout/NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Eatman, Nick (April 30, 2018). "Cowboys Agree to Terms With 18 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents; Full List". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  10. ^ Mullenax, Steven (August 6, 2018). "Dallas Cowboys: 10 Early Roster Bubble Candidates". The Landry Hat. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  11. ^ Helman, David (August 30, 2018). "Rookie CB Charvarius Ward Traded To KC". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  12. ^ Goldman, Charles (September 4, 2018). "Chiefs release 1st unofficial depth chart of regular season". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  13. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 1st, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  14. ^ Conner, Matt (December 23, 2018). "Kendall Fuller injury update: Chiefs cornerback will be game-time decision vs. Seahawks". Arrowhead Addict. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Goldman, Charles (December 20, 2018). "Charvarius Ward is next man up at corner for Chiefs". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. ^ "Charvarius Ward 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  17. ^ "2018 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "Divisional Round – Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – January 12th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "AFC Championship – New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs – January 20th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  20. ^ Goldman, Charles (September 3, 2019). "Chiefs release first depth chart of 2019 season". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  21. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – September 15th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – December 1st, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  23. ^ "Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – October 13th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  24. ^ "Charvarius Ward 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  26. ^ "AP source: Chiefs' Breeland to miss 4 games to suspension". USA TODAY. Associated Press. August 19, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Goldman, Charles (September 6, 2020). "Chiefs release first depth chart of 2020 season". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  28. ^ "Chiefs could have defensive help back for game vs Ravens". USA TODAY. Associated Press. September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  29. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 25th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  30. ^ "Charvarius Ward 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  31. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – February 7th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  32. ^ Williams, Charean (March 17, 2021). "Darious Williams only one of 26 RFAs in NFL to receive first-round tender". NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  33. ^ Smith, Michael David (June 10, 2021). "Charvarius Ward signs tender with Chiefs". NBCSports.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  34. ^ Goldman, Charles (September 7, 2021). "Chiefs release first depth chart of 2021 NFL season". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  35. ^ Skretta, Dave (September 24, 2021). "Chiefs could be without Clark, Ward for game vs Chargers". AP News. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  36. ^ Foote, Jordan (October 23, 2022). "KC Chiefs at SF 49ers NFL Week 7 Inactives: Who's In, Who's Out? – Sports Illustrated Kansas City Chiefs News, Analysis and More". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  37. ^ "Charvarius Ward Soars to Intercept Dak Prescott's Deep Launch". Kansas City Chiefs. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  38. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers – December 16th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  39. ^ Brisco, Joshua (December 20, 2021). "Travis Kelce, Charvarius Ward, Harrison Butker Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  40. ^ "Chiefs activate Chris Jones and Charvarius Ward off of their COVID-19/reserve list". KMBC.com. December 23, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  41. ^ "Charvarius Ward Picks off Steelers' Flea-Flicker Pass". Kansas City Chiefs. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Charvarius Ward 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  43. ^ "AFC Championship – Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – January 30th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  44. ^ "49ers Sign CB Charvarius Ward". 49ers.com. March 17, 2022. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  45. ^ Larrabee, Kirk (March 15, 2022). "5 things to know about new 49ers CB Charvarius Ward". 49ers Webzone. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  46. ^ "Garoppolo comes off bench to lead 49ers past Seahawks 27–7". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 19, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  47. ^ Morrison, Robert (September 27, 2022). "Charvarius Ward quietly had a great game in 49ers loss the Broncos". NinerNoise.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  48. ^ "Purdy, 49ers topple Seahawks 21–13, win NFC West". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  49. ^ "Charvarius Ward 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  50. ^ "Purdy throws 2 TDs in return from elbow surgery; 49ers drill Steelers 30–7 in season opener". ESPN.com. September 10, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  51. ^ "Browns stun 49ers 19–17, hand San Francisco its first loss and QB Brock Purdy his first as starter". ESPN.com. October 16, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  52. ^ "Vikings outlast 49ers 22–17 with 2 Cousins-Addison TDs and 2 late interceptions by Bynum". ESPN.com. October 24, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  53. ^ "McCaffrey scores 3 TDs and 49ers clinch NFC West with 45–29 rout of Cardinals for 6th straight win". ESPN.com. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  54. ^ "Bosa, Warner, Ward Evaluate the 49ers Performance in Arizona". 49ers.com. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  55. ^ "Charvarius Ward 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  56. ^ "2023 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  57. ^ "2023 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  58. ^ "Super Bowl LVIII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 11th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  59. ^ Cohn, Grant (October 10, 2024). "49ers CB Charvarius Ward Inactive with Knee Injury vs Seahawks". SI.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  60. ^ Pallares, Lindsey (November 8, 2024). "Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa questionable for Week 10 vs Buccaneers; Injury Report #SFvsTB". 49ers.com. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  61. ^ "49ers' Charvarius Ward: Won't return in Week 12". November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  62. ^ Chan, Jennifer Lee (August 28, 2022). "Charvarius back at 49ers practice, wants to go by nickname". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  63. ^ McDonald, Jerry (August 28, 2022). "49ers reconvene and begin process of determining who stays and who goes". San Jose Mercury News. The Press Democrat. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  64. ^ "San Francisco 49ers star Charvarius Ward announces death of 1-year-old daughter". NBC News. October 30, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charvarius Ward.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Charvarius_Ward&oldid=1262883289"