Ex-Browns safety Ward retires from NFL
T.J. Ward, the walk-on at Oregon who became a key part of Denver’s famed “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50, officially announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round (38th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft, Ward played eight seasons in the NFL, earning AllRookie team honors, two trips to the Pro Bowl and sec- ond-team All-Pro honors. He last played for the Buccaneers in 2017, although he spent a month with the Cardinals last season. Ward played with the Browns from 2010-2013.
“This period came fast, and yet it felt prolonged,” Ward wrote in an open let- ter announcing his retire- ment. “We each have our own journey in this life and in this sport, and I proudly followed mine until my foot- ball path was complete.”
A second-round pick by the Browns in 2010, Ward played eight seasons in the NFL, including three in Den- ver, where he teamed with Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Darius Stewart and Bradley Roby to form one of the best defensive backfields in the game.
The “No Fly Zone” was the backbone of Denver’s dominant defense that led the Broncos to a 24-10 win over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, which was Hall of Famer Peyton Manning’s farewell game.
“For sure, it’s the hallmark moment,” Ward told The Associated Press. “That team, that year was very special, and to finish against the
No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense — and being under- dogs pretty much that whole season — and the group of guys and the relationships we built, the camaraderie will last a lifetime. So, I’m defi- nitely fortunate to play with the group of guys I played with on that team.”
Ward said playing in today’s era of offensive fireworks made his time in Denver even more special.
“For those years, we were on top of the league, No. 1 in most categories,” Ward said. “We did everything you could do as a defense.
“It wasn’t like back in the day. Nothing against those other great defenses, but they’re lining up in ‘12 per- sonnel’ (two tight ends, two running backs) all day, every day,” Ward said. “Those were smash-mouth days, so I wouldn’t say they were easier, but just a different type of football you had to stop.”
Ward said Denver’s defense led by the “No-Fly Zone” could have played in any era.
“You could put us in the AFL, the no merger era. You could put us in the ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s and I felt we were smash-mouth enough to go head up with those Bears defenses, the Purple People Eaters, the Steel Curtain.
“Could our secondary play man and zone? Could our D-line rush and stop the run? Could our linebackers play the run and the pass. And you look up and say yes. Well, that’s a special defense.“
Ward said he feels he could still play at age 34 but has a lot of other things in his life to attend to other than football.
“Raising my son. He’s 8 months old. That’s first and foremost on top of the list,” Ward said.