Cam Ward was taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in Thursday’s NFL Draft.
HOUSTON — With a playbook in hand and a smile on his face, Cam Ward is back home. The NFL’s newest number one pick is taking it all in after an eventful last few days.
Ward was taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in Thursday’s NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with Washington State before transferring to Miami, where he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting during his only season in South Florida.
Ward played in high school for Columbia High School in Brazoria County. He was a zero-star recruit to Incarnate Word out of high school.
“It’s been a dream to be on this journey, having my family with me at the draft. I’m excited and I’m glad the process is finally getting started,” Ward said after touching back down in Texas.
His journey from small-town boy to NFL star wasn’t easy. His mother, Patrice Ward, reflected on the countless sacrifices that made this moment possible.
“He never cared what anybody said. He was just going to do what he had to do. But as a parent, when someone is talking about your kid, especially a momma, that hurts,” she said.
From overlooked prospect to top pick, Ward’s message to young athletes is simple — believe in yourself, even when no one else does.
“Me being a small-town kid, being back here, knowing that not a lot of people get to make it out like I did. I’m just here to enlighten kids that will make it out eventually,” Ward said.
During his introductory news conference on Friday, Ward was surprised by another No. 1 who used to play quarterback and even had his number retired.
Warren Moon showed up and presented Ward with a No. 1 jersey, the same number Moon wore as a member of the Houston Oilers for 10 years.
RELATED: ‘Passing the torch’ | Titans share video of Warren Moon handing over No. 1 uniform to Cam Ward
Ward will head back to Tennessee soon to start rookie minicamp — but currently, he is celebrating a dream realized, right here at home.