Greg Ward

{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Greg Ward

| image = Greg Ward 2021.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Ward with the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2021

| current_team = San Antonio Brahmas

| number =17

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|12}}

| birth_place = Tyler, Texas, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lbs = 190

| high_school = John Tyler (Tyler, Texas)

| college = Houston

| undraftedyear = 2017

| pastteams =

| status =Active

| highlights =

| statweek =

| statseason =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 88

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 768

| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 10

| pfr = WardGr01

}}

Gregory Mario Ward Jr. (born July 12, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Houston as a quarterback, and converted to wide receiver after going undrafted following his college career. He was a member of the Eagles' practice squad in 2017 when they won Super Bowl LII. He also played for the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019.

Early life

Gregory Mario Ward Jr. was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. One of four children, Ward grew up in a "modest ranch house." Ward's father worked as a truck driver and Pentecostal pastor.{{Cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |date=August 15, 2016 |title=When opposites attack: Boisterous Tom Herman, quiet Greg Ward Jr. Jr. combine to put Houston in playoff conversation |url=http://www.campusrush.com/houston-cougars-football-tom-herman-greg-ward-1977629179.html |access-date=October 21, 2016 |website=Sports Illustrated}}

Ward graduated from John Tyler High School in 2013. As a senior, he passed for 4,202 yards, 39 touchdowns along with 861 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and also won Player of the Year in Texas High School football. As a junior, he threw for 3,596 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,212 yards with 18 touchdowns. He played wide receiver his sophomore year and recorded 53 receptions for 667 yards with eight touchdowns. Ward was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to the University of Houston to play college football.{{Cite web |title=Greg Ward Jr. |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Greg-Ward-117625 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}{{Cite web |last=Sayles |first=Damon |date=June 20, 2012 |title=ATH Greg Ward Jr. commits to Houston |url=https://insider.espn.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/insider/post?id=13981 |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=ESPN.com}}

College career

File:Greg Ward Jr. in 2016.jpg

As a true freshman at Houston in 2013, Ward appeared in 10 games as a backup quarterback and wide receiver. He passed for 310 yards with a passing touchdown, rushed for 176 yards with two touchdowns and had 95 receiving yards and a touchdown. Ward started his sophomore year as a starting wide receiver, recording 15 receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. In October, Ward took over as the starting quarterback, replacing the benched John O'Korn.{{Cite web |last=Duarte |first=Joseph |date=October 5, 2014 |title=Ward to replace O'Korn as UH's starting QB |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/cougars/article/Ward-to-replace-O-Korn-as-UH-s-starting-5803146.php |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=Houston Chronicle}}{{Cite web |last=Stukenborg |first=Phil |date=October 9, 2014 |title=Tigers brace for new, dual-threat Houston QB |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/tigers/football/tigers-brace-for-new-dual-threat-houston-qb-ep-664585668-324317981.html |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=www.commercialappeal.com |language=en}} He started the final eight games, completing 177-of-263 passes for 2,010 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 573 rushing yards with six touchdowns. Ward remained Houston's starter his junior year in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Khan Jr. |first=Sam |date=November 13, 2015 |title=Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is gaining attention |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14117610/houston-cougars-quarterback-greg-ward-jr-gaining-attention |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Duarte |first=Joseph |date=October 15, 2015 |title=Explosive UH QB Ward lands in Heisman discussion |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/cougars/article/Explosive-UH-QB-Ward-lands-in-Heisman-discussion-6573465.php |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=Houston Chronicle}} He was named the MVP of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game after rushing for 148 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Zwerneman |first=Brent |date=December 5, 2015 |title=UH's Greg Ward Jr. Jr. solidifies his role as game-breaker in AAC title game |url=http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/Greg-Ward-solidifies-his-role-as-game-breaker-in-6678277.php |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=Houston Chronicle}} On December 31, 2015, Ward helped the Cougars win the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against No. 9 Florida State and was named Offensive Player of the Game.

=College statistics=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
colspan=3|colspan=6| Passingcolspan=3| Rushing
YearTeamGPCmpAttPctYardsTDsIntYardsAvgTDs
2013Houston10192965.5310101763.92
2014Houston1317726367.32,0101275734.96
2015Houston1423134567.02,8271761,1145.721
2016Houston1231946968.03,55722135182.610
style="background:#555; font-weight:bold; color:white;"

| colspan=2 | Totals

497461,10667.88,70452262,3814.339

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 10 3/4

| weight = 186

| dash = 4.59

| ten split = 1.56

| twenty split = 2.69

| shuttle = 4.31

| cone drill = 6.90

| vertical = 34.5

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 7

| bench = 10

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 31 1/8

| hand span = 9 7/8

| note = All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Scout: Greg Ward Jr. |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/greg-ward/32005741-5217-0484-b321-8aea367bc0a5 |access-date=December 23, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Greg Ward Jr., Houston, WR, 2017 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=129829&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |title=Greg Ward 2017 NFL Draft Profile |url=http://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/51920 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425235601/http://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/51920 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}

}}

=Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)=

Ward signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2017.{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2017 |title=Check Out The Full Rookie Camp Roster |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Check-Out-The-Full-Rookie-Camp-Roster/26ab102d-e5ee-44e7-ba37-3707f26dfab5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215222222/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Check-Out-The-Full-Rookie-Camp-Roster/26ab102d-e5ee-44e7-ba37-3707f26dfab5 |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was waived on September 2, 2017 and was signed to the Eagles' practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2017 |title=Eagles Announce 17 Roster Moves To Get Down To 53 Players |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Announce-17-Roster-Moves-To-Get-Down-To-53-Players/e9f17d13-6a84-4b71-a56e-3806e03a2aa0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905051907/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Announce-17-Roster-Moves-To-Get-Down-To-53-Players/e9f17d13-6a84-4b71-a56e-3806e03a2aa0 |archive-date=September 5, 2017 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2017 |title=Eagles Announce 10-Man Practice Squad |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Announce-10-Man-Practice-Squad/0eb65325-3ac4-4ea0-a490-32cb08873504 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407180643/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Announce-10-Man-Practice-Squad/0eb65325-3ac4-4ea0-a490-32cb08873504 |archive-date=April 7, 2018 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was released on September 12, 2017,{{Cite web |last=George |first=David |date=September 12, 2017 |title=Eagles Agree To Terms With K Jake Elliott; Place Caleb Sturgis On Injured Reserve |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-agree-to-terms-with-k-jake-elliott-place-caleb-sturgis-on-injure-19361276 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} and was re-signed to the practice squad on September 18.{{Cite news |last=Gowton |first=Brandon Lee |date=September 18, 2017 |title=Eagles cut practice squad tackle to bring back a wide receiver |work=BleedingGreenNation.com |url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2017/9/18/16330174/eagles-greg-ward-victor-salako-philadelphia-news-wide-receiver-offensive-tackle-houston |access-date=September 22, 2019}} While Ward was on their practice squad, the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Lindsay H. |date=February 4, 2018 |title=Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2018/02/04/super-bowl-2018-score-philadelphia-eagles-new-england-patriots/305840002/ |access-date=February 25, 2019 |website=USA TODAY |language=en}}

Ward signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on February 7, 2018.{{Cite web |last=George |first=David |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Roster Moves: Eagles Bring Back Six For 2018 |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-eagles-bring-back-six-for-2018-20346530 |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} On September 1, 2018, he was waived by the Eagles and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Eagles Get To The 53-Player Limit |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-get-to-the-53-player-limit |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Graham |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Eagles Sign 10 Players To Practice Squad |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-sign-10-players-to-practice-squad |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was released on September 7, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Gowton |first=Brandon Lee |date=September 7, 2018 |title=Philadelphia Eagles cut three practice squad players, sign one |url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/9/7/17832974/philadelphia-eagles-practice-squad-cut-treyvon-hester-rashard-davis-greg-ward-winston-craig-nfl-2018 |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=BleedingGreenNation.com}}

=San Antonio Commanders=

On January 1, 2019, Ward signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He recorded 22 receptions for 214 yards in the eight games the league lasted.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2019 |title=Nick Temple trying to make big impression with Commanders |url=https://210football.com/nick-temple-trying-to-make-big-impression-with-commanders |access-date=February 4, 2019 |website=210 Football}}{{Cite news |last=Luca |first=Greg |date=January 27, 2019 |title=Former Houston teammates Ward, Ayers reunited with San Antonio Commanders |work=San Antonio Express-News |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/pro-sports/commanders-aaf/article/Former-Houston-teammates-Ward-Ayers-reunited-13565985.php |access-date=February 4, 2019}}

=Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)=

File:Greg Ward In 2019 (cropped).jpg ]]

After the AAF suspended football operations, Ward re-signed with the Eagles for one year on April 9, 2019.{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Zach |date=April 9, 2019 |title=Eagles sign three former AAF players: quarterback Luis Perez, receivers Greg Ward and Charles Johnson |work=Philly.com |url=https://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-sign-aaf-charles-johnson-greg-ward-luis-perez-20190409.html |access-date=April 9, 2019}} He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019,{{Cite news |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Eagles announce roster moves as team gets to 53-player limit |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-roster-cutdown-2019 |access-date=August 31, 2019}} but was re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day.{{Cite news |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Eagles agree to terms with nine practice squad players |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-agree-to-terms-with-nine-practice-squad-players |access-date=September 1, 2019}} He was promoted to the team's active roster on September 21, following injuries to DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery.{{Cite news |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=September 21, 2019 |title=Eagles promote WR Greg Ward from the practice squad, place Jordan Mailata on Injured Reserve |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-promote-wr-greg-ward-from-the-practice-squad-place-jordan-mailata-on-inju |access-date=September 21, 2019}} He made his NFL debut in a Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions, but was waived again on September 24.{{Cite news |last=Schaller |first=Olivia |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Eagles promote CB Craig James from the practice squad to the active roster |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-promote-cb-craig-james-from-the-practice-squad-to-the-active-roster |access-date=September 24, 2019}} He re-signed to the team's practice squad again on September 26. He was promoted to the active roster again on November 23, 2019.{{Cite news |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=November 23, 2019 |title=Eagles promote WR Greg Ward from practice squad, place S Rudy Ford on Injured Reserve |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-promote-greg-ward-place-rudy-ford-on-injured-reserve |access-date=November 23, 2019}} He caught six passes in the Eagles 17–9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, totaling 40 yards.{{Cite web |title=Seahawks vs. Eagles - Game Summary - November 24, 2019 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401128008 |access-date=November 29, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} In Week 15 against the Washington Redskins, Ward caught seven passes for 61 yards and his first touchdown of his NFL career in the Eagles' 37–27 win against the Redskins.{{Cite web |title=Eagles vs. Redskins - Game Summary - December 15, 2019 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401128071 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} Ward finished the 2019 season with 28 receptions for 254 yards.{{Cite web |title=Greg Ward 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WardGr02/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ward caught 8 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in the 23-23 tie. In Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, Ward caught the first career touchdown pass thrown by rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts during the 30–16 loss. In Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals, Ward caught 4 passes including 2 touchdowns in the 33–26 loss.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers - December 6th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012060gnb.htm |access-date=2020-12-08 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Ward finished the 2020 season with 53 receptions for 419 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 16 games.{{Cite web |title=Greg Ward 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WardGr02/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Ward signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Eagles on March 29, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=March 29, 2021 |title=Greg Ward re-signs with Eagles |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/29/greg-ward-re-signs-with-eagles/ |access-date=March 30, 2021 |website=NBCSports.com}} In 2021, Ward took a reserve role in the receiving corps after the Eagles drafted DeVonta Smith. He ended the season with 7 catches for 95 yards and 3 touchdowns, and he was used in trick plays as a passer, ultimately completing one pass for 2 yards.{{Cite web |title=Greg Ward 2021 Game Log|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WardGr02/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=January 27, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference}}

While he initially wasn't tendered by the Eagles in the 2022 offseason, Ward signed a new one-year deal with the team on March 15.{{Cite web |last=Gowton |first=Brandon Lee |date=2022-03-15 |title=Eagles agree to terms with Greg Ward and Andre Chachere, reportedly won’t tender Boston Scott |url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2022/3/15/22979706/eagles-nfl-free-agency-rumors-greg-ward-boston-scott-andre-chachere-philadelphia-contract-restricted |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Bleeding Green Nation |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2022.{{cite web|title=Eagles announce initial 53-man roster|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-announce-initial-53-man-roster-202|author=McPherson, Chris|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was released on September 9. On October 24, he was brought back to the practice squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2022/10/24/23421717/eagles-news-greg-ward-practice-squad-nfl-wide-receiver-philadelphia-depth-chart|website=SB Nation|title=Eagles bring a familiar face back to the practice squad|author=Gowton, Brandon Lee|date=October 24, 2022}}

On August 29, 2023, Ward was waived by the Eagles and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Eagles announce initial 53-man roster|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-announce-initial-53-man-roster-2023|author1=Spadaro, Dave|author2=McPherson, Chris|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Eagles announce practice squad|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-announce-practice-squad-2023|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He was released on November 30 and re-signed to the practice squad on December 6.{{cite web |last1=Erby |first1=Glenn |title=Eagles announce 4 roster moves ahead of Week 13 matchup vs. 49ers |url=https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/lists/philadelphia-eagles-sign-ben-vansumeren-active-roster-greg-ward-released/ |website=Eagles Wire |access-date=30 November 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Boyle |first1=Owen |title=Eagles officially sign Shaquille Leonard, waive Christian Elliss |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-officially-sign-shaquille-leonard-waive-christian-elliss |website=Philadelphia Eagles |access-date=7 December 2023}} He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Owen |date=January 22, 2024 |title=Eagles sign 20 players to Reserve/Future contracts |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-sign-20-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |access-date=2025-02-25 |publisher=Philadelphia Eagles}}

=Indianapolis Colts=

On August 14, 2024, Ward signed with the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Colts sign DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward; waive S Kendell Brooks, waive-injured WR Ethan Fernea |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-sign-de-derek-rivers-wr-greg-ward-waive-s-kendell-brooks-waive-injured-wr-ethan-fernea |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Colts.com}} He was released on August 25.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2024 |title=Colts make 9 roster moves |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-roster-move-transaction-ronnie-harrison-derek-slywka |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Colts.com}}

= San Antonio Brahmas =

On November 21, 2024, Ward signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}}

NFL career statistics

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Receiving

! colspan="2"| Fumbles

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2019PHI

| 7 || 3 || 28 || 254 || 9.1 || 38 || 1 || 0 || 0

2020PHI

| 16 || 10 || 53 || 419 || 7.9 || 32 || 6 || 2 || 0

2021PHI

| 17 || 0 || 7 || 95 || 13.6 || 27 || 3 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"| Total || 40 || 13 || 88 || 768 || 8.7 || 38 || 10 || 2 || 0
colspan="11"|Source: [https://www.nfl.com/players/Greg-Ward/stats/ NFL.com]

=Postseason=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Receiving

! colspan="2"| Fumbles

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2019PHI

| 1 || 1 || 3 || 24 || 8.0 || 16 || 0 || 0 || 0

2021PHI

| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"| Total || 1 || 1 || 3 || 24 || 8.0 || 16 || 0 || 0 || 0
colspan="11"|Source: [https://www.nfl.com/players/Greg-Ward/stats/ NFL.com]

References

{{Reflist}}