Ward and His Father: The Titans Quarterback's Journey to Success

Cameron Ward: The Gift of Time and Family Legacy

Cameron Ward’s smile said it all. When asked what he wanted to give his father, Calvin, for Father’s Day, the answer was clear: “Time”.

“Shopping for Father’s Day is the hardest thing,” Ward commented. “For someone who already has everything, what do you give them? I don’t know what I’m going to give him, because he really doesn’t ask for anything.”
Cameron Ward

After having financed the construction of his parents’ house while he was in college in Miami, Ward considered that the best gift was dedication and shared time. He fondly remembered the gift of an all-terrain vehicle he gave his father at Christmas years ago, a gesture that evoked childhood memories and family bonding. The young quarterback of the Tennessee Titans, selected as the first pick in the draft, attributes his success to his parents. Sport was always a fundamental pillar in his home, instilling a passion that led him to the top. The Ward family, a close-knit group of five members, has forged strong bonds through numerous trips. Since childhood, family trips to attend sports camps were constant. They started with the camps at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, when Cameron was in fourth grade, accompanying his older sisters, Aaliyah and Chantel, who played basketball. Calvin, who also played quarterback in college, was Cameron’s first coach, teaching him the fundamentals of the sport from the age of eight. They would set up nets in the backyard to practice throwing. His father’s dedication and support were crucial to Cameron’s development. Cameron fell in love with the workouts,” recalls Calvin. “From a young age, he always said, ‘I want to be a professional athlete in something.’ My philosophy was always to play as many sports as you wanted. The path would eventually narrow itself.”

Cameron Ward con su padre, Calvin, en el “green room” del draft antes de ser seleccionado por los Tennessee Titans.

The path to being noticed by universities was not easy. Playing in a ground offense at West Columbia High School, Cameron’s passing opportunities were limited. His father, Calvin, played a fundamental role. He sent emails to college coaches during his son’s junior year, seeking the first offer for the zero-star recruit. Calvin sought advice from other parents who had had sons in the NFL to gain more exposure. His main focus was his son’s constant growth and improvement. Calvin organized trips to football camps in the hope that Cameron would be seen by universities. These trips involved early mornings and long hours of travel, demonstrating admirable dedication.

“It’s an impressive dedication to help his son,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said of Calvin.
Brian Callahan

These trips were not only about soccer, but also about life. Despite musical differences, father and son found common ground, sharing stories and advice. Calvin passed on the lessons learned from his parents, emphasizing the importance of education and effort.

“I’m going to knock on all the doors and, you know, eventually one of these doors will open,” Calvin stated.
Calvin Ward

A decisive weekend was when they traveled to College Station for the Texas A&M camp. Cameron competed with other high-profile quarterbacks, but did not receive an offer. The trip continued the next day, to a satellite camp in San Antonio, where the coaching staff decided to end the camp early to prevent other schools from seeing Cameron’s talent.

Cameron Ward y su padre — Cameron Ward con su padre, Calvin.

Despite the challenges, Cameron finally received an offer from Incarnate Word, where he began his college career. There, he proved his worth, winning the Jerry Rice Award for the most outstanding freshman and accumulating impressive statistics as a sophomore, which earned him the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year award. Schools that had previously ignored him now showed interest. Loyalty and perseverance were key in Cameron’s journey. Moving to Washington State and then to Miami were important decisions. His parents never missed a game, attending their son’s 57 college games. A crucial moment was when his coach, Eric Morris, left Washington State. Cameron seized the opportunity to prove his worth, regardless of the playing system. The result was an impressive season that led him to the decision to declare himself eligible for the NFL draft. Seeing Roger Goodell announce his son as the first pick in the draft was Calvin’s proudest moment. Cameron has received the best advice from his father: make the most of the opportunity to play in the NFL.

“My parents really let me make my own decisions,” Cameron said. “But they give me different perspectives to see things. They see it from their point of view and can also see it from the other person’s point of view.”
Cameron Ward

In his debut with the Miami Hurricanes, Cameron proved his worth, setting records and winning the Davey O’Brien Award for the best quarterback in the country. His performance established him as the best quarterback in the draft.

“His journey I think is truly unique and great,” Callahan commented. “A lot of this comes from how he was raised. All the things you see from his parents trying to invest in him and give him all the opportunities to succeed, I think it’s admirable, and I think it was worth it for him.”
Brian Callahan

Now, on the Titans, Cameron is making a positive impact, showing his dedication and leadership. With a million-dollar contract, Cameron can give his father everything he desires, but most importantly is gratitude.

“Thank you for all the time you dedicated to me and my siblings,” he said when asked about his Father’s Day message. “The money you invested and all the behind-the-scenes things, from sending emails to the coaches to make my face known and give me the opportunity to be who I am today. I just know that I am trying to do my part and create a legacy for our last name.”
Cameron Ward