An alleged string of robberies led to the arrest of a former New York Giants Super Bowl winner.
Derrick Ward, the former running back for the New York Giants who won a Super Bowl, is in hot water with authorities in Southern California.
The eight-year NFL veteran was detained in Los Angeles earlier this week, and according to TMZ Sports, he is suspected of robbing multiple businesses in the recent past.
According to Southern California law enforcement, Ward did not use a gun during the alleged string of robberies, as reported by TMZ. Rather, he used threats and force. Gas stations were reportedly among the companies. At the time this article was published, Ward’s $250,000 bail remained in place.
Ward, now 43, was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. After being waived, he signed on with the Giants as a rookie and never played a game with the Jets.
A 2007 Super Bowl champion for the Giants, Ward was a product of Ottawa University in Kansas and Fresno State. The team defeated Tom Brady and the unbeaten New England Patriots. Nevertheless, he missed the big game due to a fractured left fibula sustained in Week 13 of that season.
“One of the hardest experiences I’ve ever been through,” Derrick Ward said of the injury at the time, via the NY Post. “Being able to finally do something in the league and help contribute to the season we had and that not be able to play in the Super Bowl, I always dreamed about that when I was a little kid.”
Ward’s best season came as a member of the New York Giants in 2008 when he tallied 1,409 total yards and averaged 6.3 yards per touch.
This ultimately landed him a $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. Ward would play one season in Tampa and two with the Houston Texans before retiring following the 2011 season.
