Charlie Ward Said He Wouldn't Play in NFL Unless He Was Drafted in First Round

Published on April 26th, 2024 1:44 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Charlie Ward was an exceptional athlete - in fact, Charlie Ward can likely be included with the likes of Jim Brown in terms of greatest college athletes ever.

Don't believe me?

Charlie Ward was a national champion with the Florida State football team. In that same year, Ward won the Heisman Trophy, as well as a slew of other awards.

Ward was also an exceptional basketball player, as he played for all four of his college years with the Florida State basketball team. In his senior yaer, Ward averaged 10.5 points per game, as well as almost 5 assists.

Ward was also a fantastic tennis player.

-

After graduating from Florida State, Ward had a decision to make - the NBA or the NFL.

Ward, who was 6'2 and 190 pounds, was told that his size would likely be an issue for the NFL, and that he was likely to be taken as late as the fifth round.

Ward proclaimed publicly that if he wasn't selected in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft, he'd play in the NBA instead.

-

Ward, despite winning the Heisman Trophy, was not taken in the first round.

In fact, he wasn't taken at all.

Ward pronounced that he would play in the NBA instead, and he was selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

-

Ward was apparently asked by the Kansas City Chiefs organization if he'd be interested in signing to be the backup to Joe Montana, but Ward reportedly declined.

-

Ward's decision to play in the NBA instead was a smart one, as he played in the league for over a decade.

Ward would earn over $34 million during his time in the NBA (roughly $60 million after adjusting for inflation), so the move definitely paid off.

Most of this money was earned during Ward's time with the New York Knicks.