CLEVELAND — Denzel Ward grew up in Northeast Ohio, and since the Browns drafted him in 2018, he has given his all on the field for his hometown football team. Now, he's getting involved in his hometown baseball team as a minority investor.
Ward has officially joined the Cleveland Guardians ownership group as an investor, the Guardians announced on Wednesday. Ward answered questions about the deal before the day's practice.
"Just being from Cleveland, the major sports teams and just watching them as a kid. I went to the games when I was a little kid, so it was easy to be a fan growing up. And like I said, to be a part of this organization is pretty special," Ward said.
Guardians Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Paul Dolan and Guardians Vice Chairman David Blitzer also shared their excitement to have Ward in the investment group in a statement included in the Guardians' press release.
“Denzel Ward is a hometown hero on the field and off it,” the two said in the press release. "His excellence, character and commitment to this community – including his work with the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation – make him a perfect fit for our organization. We are proud to welcome him as a partner in the Guardians' future.”
Ward said both Dolan and Blitzer were hands-on with him in the process.
"They worked with me throughout the entire process and I'm just grateful that they brought me on, gave me a great opportunity to continue to be a part of the Cleveland community. And that's what's most important. And I love the Guardians. I always watch them and it's just a great opportunity," he said.
Ward, who graduated from Nordonia High School in Macedonia before playing college football at Ohio State and then returning to Northeast Ohio to play for the Browns, has invested in more than just the city's MLB team over the years, with his Make Them Know Your Name Foundation dedicated to teaching CPR and providing AED devices at schools, gyms, businesses and more.
"I'm a Cleveland kid and love Cleveland to death and just had the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Cleveland community in different ways. And this way with the baseball team, with the Guardians, like I said, it's just a great opportunity. And looking forward to see what we continue to do," Ward said.
Ward joins a fellow NFL star from Northeast Ohio as a minority investor in the Guardians after Cleveland Heights native and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce purchased a stake in the team back in May.
Watch previous coverage: Travis Kelce buys minority stake in Cleveland Guardians
Ward will be celebrated at the Cleveland Guardians' game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on Tuesday, September 15.
"I'm going to go down to the stadium soon. And I think it's going to be like a Denzel Ward day or something like that. We're going to go out and have a good time, have fun at the game," he said.
