From Green Bay to Nashville: On the Plane With Titans QB Cam Ward as He Begins His NFL Journey – Tennessee Titans
2025-04-25T16:51:26Z
Just over 12 hours after being selected with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, Ward was operating on 1½ hours of sleep, but he was still smiling.
Senior Writer/Editor GREEN BAY to NASHVILLE – Cam Ward hopped on a private jet on Friday morning, and traveled to his new NFL home in Music City. Just over 12 hours after being selected with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, Ward was operating on 1½ hours of sleep, but he was still smiling. Ward even cracked a joke just south of Terre Haute, Indiana, when the plane made a big drop while going through turbulence, and the 10 passengers on board – including his mom, dad, two sisters and girlfriend – all clutched their seats while letting out an audible gasp. “They take it off autopilot?,” Ward said, laughing himself. “That was crazy, huh? I saw everyone’s faces, and that was the funny part. I was hoping my mom was OK back there.” CAMERON WARD View more Cameron Ward 2025 NFL Draft content. Ward is in Tennessee, and ready to get rolling with the Titans following an emotional night. “It’s been good, getting a chance to live in the moment, and now sitting on Miss Amy’s plane,” Ward said. “I am happy I finally have a job now, and I’m not unemployed any more.” Yes, Ward got the job, and he hit the ground running on Friday morning. His day started with a 7 a.m. interview with Good Morning America, after sleeping from 4 a.m. to 5:30. “But that’s really all I need,” Ward said. “I’m good.” The first thought that went through Ward’s mind when he woke up? “It’s real,” he said with a smile. “I loved every moment of this draft, and I’m going to love what’s next. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. There’s a lot of people in the building I’ve met, and now I’m hoping some of my teammates will be in the building so I can meet them. I want to show those guys I am ready to work.” Ward, and his family, had been hoping this would be the end result in the NFL Draft process. Calvin Ward, Cam’s father, was wearing a Ward No.1 jersey under tan sports jacket. His mother, Patrice, was decked out in a Titans pullover, with the words “Cam’s Mom” stitched on the chest. She was also sporting sparkly shoes designed in Titans colors, with her son’s name on them. Sisters Chantel and Aaliyah were also reppin’ the Titans, with shoes and hats. Ward’s girlfriend, Nailah, was embracing his new team as well as they opened a pack of playing cards with the Titans logo. “I have a real small circle, but a good circle,” Ward said. “And I’m just excited they can experience this with me.” Calvin and Patrice Ward sat across from their son on the flight to Nashville, and were beaming with pride. “It’s surreal,” Calvin Ward said. “It’s been a long journey, but every curve we’ve had to go through, every stop sign we’ve had to stop at, it led us to this, and it’s all been worth it.” The Wards attended all 57 of their son’s games in college, from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami. Just before the plane touched down in Nashville, they were already looking forward to learning about their son’s new home, and seeing him son play in the NFL, for the Titans. When Cam Ward got off the plane, he jumped in an SUV headed to Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park. Ward took part in a press conference today, when Houston Oilers legend Warren Moon granted him permission to wear his No.1 jersey, which had previously been retired. It was part of a marathon day “We’ve prayed about this,” Patrice Ward said. “Tennessee is the right place for Cameron. I prayed about it, and started manifesting on it, and I started ordering (Titans) stuff. God always leads us in the right direction, and he led us to Tennessee. And we’re all so happy about it.” Tennessee Titans QB Cameron Ward was in Green Bay to hear his name called as the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Miami quarterback Cameron Ward in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Tyler Kaufman/AP Content Services for the NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward arrives prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Logan Bowles/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward poses on the red carpet prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Logan Bowles/NFL) Miami quarterback Cameron Ward on the red carpet at the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Tyler Kaufman/AP Content Services for the NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward signs autographs prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Logan Bowles/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Commissioner Roger Goodell interact during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL) A detail view of Cameron Ward football and helmet in the green room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward throws the ball in the green room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward looks on prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) The name card of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is seen prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward poses for a photo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward looks on in the green room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward celebrates after being selected first overall during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward celebrates after being selected first overall during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward celebrates after being selected first overall during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward looks in the mirror during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward adjusts his hat during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward puts on a hat after being chosen by the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Miami quarterback Cam Ward is selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Perry Knotts/NFL) Miami quarterback Cam Ward is selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL) The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans Miami quarterback Cam Ward speaks with NFL Network reporter Jamie Erdahl during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL) The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans At Michigan, Mullings ran for 948 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024 while playing in 12 games. Harris, selected with the 183rd overall pick, played in all 13 games for California in 2024 and registered 46 tackles, including 35 solo tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Slater was selected with the 167th overall pick. Ayomanor, selected with the 136th overall pick, caught 63 passes for 831 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, when he was a second team All-ACC performer. Helm was a 2024 John Mackey Award semifinalist and a 2nd-Team All-SEC performer after leading the team with 60 receptions (5th among FBS TE) while finishing with 786 receiving yards (6th among FBS TE), seven receiving touchdowns (T-5th among FBS TE). Dice led the Gators in catches (42), and he ranked second with a career-high in receiving yards (783) and touchdown catches (2) in 2024. Winston (6-2, 213), selected with the 82nd overall pick, said he’s ready to get to work and prove himself after missing most of the 2024 season with a right knee injury, which impacted his draft status. In four college seasons, Oladejo started 27 of 46 games while playing at UCLA (2023 and 2024) and California (2021 and 2022) and he recorded 238 total tackles (120-118-238), 20.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble and three fumbles recovered across his collegiate career. Ward acknowledged he called Moon to ask him for permission, and was honored it was granted Ward said he got word the Titans were officially picking him from GM Mike Borgonzi, who then passed the phone to Amy Adams Strunk, Chad Brinker and Coach Brian Callahan. Ward joins the Titans following months of intense evaluations by team officials, who traveled the country to see the top prospects in the draft before deciding on Ward. Titans + Nissan Stadium App presented by Verizon Stay up to date with team and stadium news, concert and event announcements, stream live Titans games and more! Tennessee Titans Marketplace A one-stop shop for Titans memorabilia, autographed items and more! Tennessee Titans Email Newsletter Get Titans news sent straight to your inbox.
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