Who Are Denzel Ward’s Parents? All About Pro Bowl Star’s Mom and Late Dad

“Make them know our name.” Those were the words that Denzel Ward constantly heard growing up as a footballer. Whether it was about before preparing for the game or making plays on the gridiron. That’s the motto Ward lived by, thanks to his late father, Paul Ward Sr. His influence and teachings are the reasons Ward was truly able to live up to that name. It’s been almost a decade now since the Browns picked Ward in the 2018 NFL draft.

From being a rookie out of Ohio, Ward went on to make his way into the NFL record books. At one point in 2022, Ward’s $100.5M contract extension made him the highest-paid CB in the league. So, you could say the 4-time Pro Bowler did make his father’s name proud by letting the world know he was not just any other footballer.

Who was Denzel Ward’s dad?

See, Denzel Ward’s father used to be the principal at Carylwood Intermediate School when a sudden cardiac arrest took him away. Yes, when Denzel was still a freshman at Ohio, his life changed forever. Ward Sr. used to be the backbone of Denzel’s life growing up. To this day, he still remembers one thing his father used to say every day, “He used to tell me and my brother to make them know our name. I remember him saying it before football games when I was young. But it was just about being a positive light—make plays on the football field or just in life in general, just make positive things happen.”

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Well, in honor of his father, Denzel also started a foundation named The Make Them Know Your Name to spread awareness of heart ailments that suddenly took his father away. “The foundation was started in honor of my dad with the basic mission of bringing heart awareness to people. CPR training, how to use an AED. However, we can make people more educated and safer.” And you know what? That’s not the only honor Paul Ward Sr. got after he passed away. Remember the school he used to teach in Bedford City? Well, they named a street after him near Carylwood and also started a scholarship program to honor his contributions.

Now, with the absence of a father figure from the Ward family. Denzel’s mother had to take upon the duties of both father and mother moving forward. And let’s just say—she excelled in it.

Who is Denzel’s mom?

Ward’s mom, Nicole Ward, met Paul Ward, Sr., when they were still at Cleveland Heights High School. From high school graduation to the University of Cincinnati, nothing could ever keep Denzel’s parents apart. After dating for almost a decade, they got married in 1995 and went on to have two children, Paul III and Denzel. But raising two sons was never really a hard task for Nicole, who had Paul as her husband, “I mean, raising them was easy. And I think the reason why it was easy was because they had someone like Paul in their life.” She indeed needed support to take care of her kids.

So, even after her husband’s passing, Nicole never forgot to reiterate the 5-word message Paul Ward Sr. used to live by to their sons: “To my husband, your name meant everything. If you had nothing else to stand on. You had your name. Nobody could take that away from you.” Well, it seems like Paul and Nicole’s wishes did come true with Denzel. Like, all he ever wanted was to play in the NFL. And being a former first-rounder and a No.4 overall draft pick for Cleveland. Denzel did make his parents’ name proud. Every time he wears his No.21 Browns shirt, everyone in the NFL does remember where Denzel came from.