Northeast Ohio native, Browns star Denzel Ward joins Guardians' ownership group
BALTIMORE -- Another NFL star with local ties has joined the Guardians’ ownership group.
This time, there is an added layer of Cleveland flavor.
Cleveland Browns cornerback and Northeast Ohio native Denzel Ward has joined the Guardians as an investor, the club announced on Wednesday. He follows Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce, who joined the ballclub's ownership group in a similar capacity in May.
“Cleveland is my hometown. I’m so blessed to be able to show up for this city on the field and now as a part of the Guardians organization,” Ward said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more grateful to the Dolan family and David Blitzer for the opportunity to continue to pour into this community and give back to the best fans in the world.”
The Guardians will celebrate Ward joining the organization next Tuesday, when they will open a crucial three-game series against the White Sox at Progressive Field.
Ward, 29, attended Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio, before he spent three years in Columbus playing at Ohio State. The Browns selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has spent his entire eight-year NFL career with his hometown team.
A five-time Pro Bowler who’s considered one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, Ward signed a two-year contract extension in July that will keep him with the Browns through the 2029 NFL season. Along with his decorated career on the field, he has been a staple in the Northeast Ohio community off of it.
Ward founded the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation in honor of his dad, Paul G. Ward Jr., who passed away from cardiac arrest in 2016. The foundation strives to combat heart disease and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. The foundation helped in the passage of Ohio House Bill 47, which legally mandates public and charter schools, and publicly operated sports facilities in Ohio, be equipped with AED devices and staff trained with them.
Ward also hosts a free annual camp at his alma mater, Nordonia High School, that brings local kids together for a day of football, mentorship and heart health education.
Wednesday’s news deepens Ward’s rich ties to his hometown even further
“Denzel Ward is a hometown hero on the field and off it,” Guardians chairman and chief executive officer Paul Dolan and Guardians vice chairman David Blitzer said in a statement. “His excellence, character and commitment to this community -- including his work with the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation -- make him a perfect fit for our organization.
“We are proud to welcome him as a partner in the Guardians future.”