He was an enforcer on one of the last true violent secondaries of our time.
From Cleveland to Denver, T.J. Ward was one of the most feared safeties in pro football. He made two Pro Bowls (2013, 2014), was a second team All-Pro and then had the game of his life in a 2015 Super Bowl win over Carolina.
His “No Fly Zone” DB group — which included Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Darian Stewart — perfectly complemented Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware up front to shut down Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and league MVP Cam Newton that postseason.
In this hourlong conversation with Go Long, the bruising safety opens up on that Broncos defense, all of the concussions he suffered over the years, why the NFL has gone too far with player safety (and may look like rugby one day) and, also, why he believes the league blackballed him. Ward had a bad experience with the Buccaneers in 2017, couldn’t sign with anyone for two years and had a cup ‘o joe with the Cardinals last season before retiring.
He does not hold back — on anything.
The full Q&A is posted at GoLongTD.com and, remember, you can always subscribe this holiday to get everything we have to offer.
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T.J. Ward, conscientious headhunter