Charvarius Ward Explained

Charvarius Ward
Current Team:San Francisco 49ers
Number:7
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:May 16, 1996
Birth Place:McComb, Mississippi, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:196
High School:McComb
Undraftedyear:2018
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:381
Statlabel2:Pass deflections
Statvalue2:63
Statlabel3:Interceptions
Statvalue3:10
Statlabel4:Sacks
Statvalue4:1.0
Statlabel5:Forced fumbles
Statvalue5:3
Pfr:WardCh01

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

Early years and college career

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

Pre-draft

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.

Dallas Cowboys

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.[8] Throughout training camp, Ward competed to be the fifth cornerback on the active roster against Marquez White, Duke Thomas, and Donovan Olumba.[9]

Kansas City Chiefs

2018

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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12] On December 23, 2018, Ward earned his first career start after Kendall Fuller was ruled inactive due to a thumb injury.[13] [14] 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.[15]

The Chiefs finished first in the AFC West with a 12–4 record and earned a first round bye.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]

2019

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.[19] 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.[20] He scored two points for the Chiefs when he recorded a defensive extra point return in a Week 13 game against the Raiders.[21] Ward then made his second interception against the Houston Texans, by snagging a one handed interception over DeAndre Hopkins.[22] He finished the 2019 season with 74 total tackles (56 solo), two interceptions, ten passes defended, and one forced fumble.[23] 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.[24]

2020

After Bashaud Breeland was suspended for the first four games of 2020,[25] Ward was named the No. 1 starting cornerback for Week 1 of the 2020 season.[26] Ward missed Week 2 with a fractured hand suffered in Week 1, but returned in week three.[27] In Week 7 against the Broncos, Ward recorded a team high nine tackles and sacked Drew Lock once during the 43–16 win.[28] Overall, Ward finished the 2020 season with 51 total tackles, one sack, and six passes defended.[29] 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.[30]

2021

The Chiefs placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Ward on March 17, 2021.[31] He signed the one-year contract on June 10.[32] Ward was named starting cornerback to begin the regular season for the third straight year.[33] Before Week 3, Ward strained his hamstring.[34] He missed four games, returning in Week 7.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37] He was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 20, 2021.[38] He was activated on December 23, 2021.[39] 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.[40] He finished the regular season with 67 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass defenses.[41]

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

San Francisco 49ers

2022

On March 17, 2022, Ward signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers.[43] [44] He recorded his fifth career interception and first as a 49er in a Week 2, 27–7 victory over the Seahawks.[45] The following week he recorded his second career forced fumble in a 11–10 loss to the Broncos.[46] 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.[47] 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).[48]

2023

In the 49ers' 2023 season opener against the Steelers, Ward recorded his sixth career interception in a 30–7 victory.[49] In Week 6 he recorded his third career forced fumble in a 19–17 loss against the Cleveland Browns[50] 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.[51] 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.[52] 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.[53] 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),[54] leading the league in the latter stat.[55] He earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.[56] 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.[57]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
KC13 2 30 26 4 3
KC16 16 74 56 18 10 2 10 10.0 10 1
KC14 13 51 38 13 1.0 6
KC13 12 67 48 19 10 2
SF17 17 87 59 38 11 1 9 9.0 9 1 1 40
SF17 17 72 56 16 23 5 91 18.2 66T 1 1
Career 90 77 381 283 98 1.0 63 10 110 11.0 66T 1 3 1 40

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds TD
KC2 1 11 6 5 4
KC3 3 9 7 2 1
KC3 3 18 15 3 1
KC3 3 16 12 4 3
SF3 3 13 12 1 3
SF3 3 10 8 2 1
Career 17 16 77 60 17 13

Personal life

Ward prefers to go by his childhood nickname "Mooney", bestowed upon him by his mother.[58] 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."[59]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charvarius Ward, McComb, Cornerback . February 25, 2024 . 247Sports . en-US.
  2. Web site: Levine . Blake . February 6, 2024 . McComb grad to play in Super Bowl . February 25, 2024 . WJTV . en-US.
  3. Web site: Charvarius Ward – Football . February 25, 2024 . Middle Tennessee State University Athletics . en.
  4. Web site: Charvarius Ward – Football . February 25, 2024 . Hinds Community College Athletics . en.
  5. Web site: January 26, 2018 . American cornerback Charvarius Ward from Middle Tennessee during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl . February 25, 2024 . Getty Images . en-us.
  6. Web site: Fedotin . Jeff . March 21, 2022 . How 49ers Signee Charvarius Ward Went From Unwanted Prospect To $40 Million Man . February 25, 2024 . Forbes . en.
  7. Web site: Bedinger . Sayre . May 15, 2018 . Dallas Cowboys have UDFA gem in CB Charvarius Ward (Video) . November 14, 2019 . NFLMocks.com.
  8. Web site: Eatman, Nick . April 30, 2018 . Cowboys Agree to Terms With 18 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents; Full List . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224428/https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2018/04/30/cowboys-agree-terms-18-undrafted-rookie-free-agents-full-list . May 1, 2018 . September 2, 2018 . DallasCowboys.com.
  9. Web site: Mullenax . Steven . August 6, 2018 . Dallas Cowboys: 10 Early Roster Bubble Candidates . November 13, 2019 . The Landry Hat.
  10. Web site: Helman, David . August 30, 2018 . Rookie CB Charvarius Ward Traded To KC . August 30, 2018 . DallasCowboys.com.
  11. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 4, 2018 . Chiefs release 1st unofficial depth chart of regular season . November 13, 2019 . Chiefs Wire. USA Today.
  12. Web site: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 1st, 2018 . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  13. Web site: Conner . Matt . December 23, 2018 . Kendall Fuller injury update: Chiefs cornerback will be game-time decision vs. Seahawks . February 25, 2024 . Arrowhead Addict . en-US.
  14. Web site: Goldman . Charles . December 20, 2018 . Charvarius Ward is next man up at corner for Chiefs . November 13, 2019 . Chiefs Wire. USA Today.
  15. Web site: Charvarius Ward 2018 Game Log . February 25, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  16. Web site: 2018 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports . February 25, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  17. Web site: Divisional Round – Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – January 12th, 2019 . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  18. Web site: AFC Championship – New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs – January 20th, 2019 . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  19. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 3, 2019 . Chiefs release first depth chart of 2019 season . November 13, 2019 . Chiefs Wire. USA Today.
  20. Web site: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – September 15th, 2019 . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  21. Web site: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – December 1st, 2019 . February 25, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  22. Web site: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – October 13th, 2019 . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  23. Web site: Charvarius Ward 2019 Game Log . February 25, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  24. Web site: Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020 . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  25. Web site: August 19, 2020 . AP source: Chiefs' Breeland to miss 4 games to suspension . September 14, 2023 . USA TODAY. Associated Press . en-US.
  26. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 6, 2020 . Chiefs release first depth chart of 2020 season . September 14, 2023 . Chiefs Wire. USA Today . en-US.
  27. Web site: September 24, 2020 . Chiefs could have defensive help back for game vs Ravens . September 14, 2023 . USA TODAY. Associated Press . en-US.
  28. Web site: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 25th, 2020 . October 30, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  29. Web site: Charvarius Ward 2020 Game Log . March 18, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  30. Web site: Super Bowl LV – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – February 7th, 2021 . September 14, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  31. Web site: Williams . Charean . March 17, 2021 . Darious Williams only one of 26 RFAs in NFL to receive first-round tender . March 17, 2021 . NBCSports.com.
  32. News: Smith, Michael David . Charvarius Ward signs tender with Chiefs . NBCSports.com . June 10, 2021 . June 16, 2021.
  33. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 7, 2021 . Chiefs release first depth chart of 2021 NFL season . September 14, 2023 . Chiefs Wire. USA Today . en-US.
  34. Web site: Skretta . Dave . September 24, 2021 . Chiefs could be without Clark, Ward for game vs Chargers . September 14, 2023 . AP News . en.
  35. Web site: 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 . September 14, 2023 . Sports Illustrated . en.
  36. Web site: Charvarius Ward Soars to Intercept Dak Prescott's Deep Launch . September 14, 2023 . Kansas City Chiefs . en-US.
  37. Web site: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers – December 16th, 2021 . September 14, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  38. Web site: Brisco . Joshua . December 20, 2021 . Travis Kelce, Charvarius Ward, Harrison Butker Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List . February 25, 2024 . Sports Illustrated . en.
  39. Web site: December 23, 2021 . Chiefs activate Chris Jones and Charvarius Ward off of their COVID-19/reserve list . February 25, 2024 . KMBC.com.
  40. Web site: Charvarius Ward Picks off Steelers' Flea-Flicker Pass . September 14, 2023 . Kansas City Chiefs . en-US.
  41. Web site: Charvarius Ward 2021 Game Log . September 14, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  42. Web site: AFC Championship – Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – January 30th, 2022 . September 14, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  43. Web site: 49ers Sign CB Charvarius Ward. 49ers.com. March 17, 2022. March 18, 2022. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320164128/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-cb-charvarius-ward. dead.
  44. Web site: Larrabee . Kirk . March 15, 2022 . 5 things to know about new 49ers CB Charvarius Ward . August 18, 2022 . 49ers Webzone . en.
  45. Web site: September 19, 2022 . Garoppolo comes off bench to lead 49ers past Seahawks 27–7 . December 14, 2023 . ESPN.com. Associated Press.
  46. Web site: Morrison . Robert . Charvarius Ward quietly had a great game in 49ers loss the Broncos. NinerNoise.com. September 27, 2022. December 14, 2023.
  47. Web site: December 16, 2022 . Purdy, 49ers topple Seahawks 21–13, win NFC West . December 14, 2023 . ESPN.com. Associated Press.
  48. Web site: Charvarius Ward 2022 Game Log. Pro-Football-Reference.com. December 14, 2023.
  49. Web site: Purdy throws 2 TDs in return from elbow surgery; 49ers drill Steelers 30–7 in season opener. ESPN.com. September 10, 2023. December 14, 2023.
  50. Web site: Browns stun 49ers 19–17, hand San Francisco its first loss and QB Brock Purdy his first as starter. ESPN.com. October 16, 2023. December 13, 2023.
  51. Web site: Vikings outlast 49ers 22–17 with 2 Cousins-Addison TDs and 2 late interceptions by Bynum. ESPN.com. October 24, 2023. December 14, 2023.
  52. Web site: McCaffrey scores 3 TDs and 49ers clinch NFC West with 45–29 rout of Cardinals for 6th straight win. ESPN.com. December 18, 2023. December 18, 2023.
  53. Web site: Bosa, Warner, Ward Evaluate the 49ers Performance in Arizona . 49ers.com. December 17, 2023. December 14, 2023.
  54. Web site: Charvarius Ward 2023 Game Log. Pro-Football-Reference. January 11, 2024.
  55. Web site: 2023 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards . February 25, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  56. Web site: 2023 NFL Pro Bowlers . February 25, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  57. Web site: Super Bowl LVIII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 11th, 2024 . February 18, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  58. Web site: Chan . Jennifer Lee . August 28, 2022 . Charvarius back at 49ers practice, wants to go by nickname . February 25, 2024 . NBC Sports Bay Area & California . en-US.
  59. News: 49ers reconvene and begin process of determining who stays and who goes . Jerry . McDonald . August 28, 2022 . San Jose Mercury News . The Press Democrat . January 3, 2024.