Charlie Ward Biography

He led Florida State to one of its two national championships, earned after the team beat Nebraska 18-16 in the 1994 Orange Bowl. Charlie Ward also became only the second African American quarterback ever to win a Heisman Trophy (Andre Ware was the other quarterback African American Heisman trophy winner). When Ward won the award he set the margin for the greatest margin of victory in the voting, although his record has since been eclipsed. He also won the Sullivan Award, which honors America's top amateur athlete, the same year he won the Heisman Trophy. In 2006 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

One might have thought Charlie Ward would have had a successful career in the NFL. A versatile athlete, however, Ward was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993, even though he did not play baseball in college. He did play basketball in college, however, and he said he would not play in the NFL unless he was drafted in the first round. When he was not, he elected to play professional basketball instead with the New York Knicks of the NBA, after being chosen in the first round in that league's draft.

Many may not know that Charlie Ward is also an outspoken Christian and a humanitarian as well.

Ward showed his character as a model student-athlete while he was at Florida State. He did not become involved in the "free shoes" scandal some of his teammates did. He also served as a surrogate big brother to incoming freshman Warrick Dunn, whose mother had lost her life in the line of duty as a policewoman during Dunn's senior year in high school. He also became Dunn's friend and roommate, after he told Florida State coach Bobby Bowden about the situation. During his senior year Charlie Ward also served as Student Government Vice President and ran the Monarch Party, a student government reform organization.

In being named to the College Football Hall of Fame, Charlie Ward may have been, according to the website, www.seminoles.cstv.com, the most decorated college football athlete ever. In addition the two awards already mentioned, Ward won more than 30 individual awards during his playing career at Florida State, including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year, and he was a unanimous All American.

A two time ACC Player of the Year, Ward, who is regarded by some as the best football player in Florida State history, set seven ACC records and led the Seminoles to two conference championships. He set 19 school records, including 27 touchdowns for a season and career total offense at 6,636 yards. He passed for more than 5,700 yards and ran for more than 850.

No doubt Charlie Ward, the versatile athlete, had the ability to score in the NBA. An unselfish player, however, he led the Knicks in assists, not scoring, 27 times during the 1999-2000 season and finished with an average of 4.0 per game for his career, including 3.7 in the playoffs. His career scoring average was 6.3 points per game, and he averaged 5.5 points per game in the playoffs. He and his team played in the NBA finals in 1999, losing to the San Antonio Spurs. An injury caused him to quit after nine seasons with the Knicks, followed by two with the Houston Rockets. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the Rockets.

While he was a player with the Knicks, Charlie Ward and teammate Allan Houston could be seen, win or lose, after a game huddling in prayer with players from their team, as well as the opposing team. He and Houston worked at local ministries to help those in need and mentor at-risk children.

The two were also involved in the Knicks' chapel services and led the team Bible study often.

"We try to shine our light so they can see Jesus in us," Charlie Ward said of himself and Houston in a 2003 Christianity Today interview. "We might be the only Jesus they see."

Ward said it was a challenge to live a Christian lifestyle in the NBA. He said the key was to be consistent and not to demonstrate hypocrisy.

Charlie Ward has also been involved in a variety of charities and foundations during his collegiate and NBA career, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, HOPE Worldwide, the Fannie Mae Foundation, and the Giving Back Fund. He also has served for a long time in the Starlight Foundation and the Garden's Cheering for Children Foundation.

Charlie Ward was raised in a Christian home, and his parents and teachers taught him the meaning of love and morals. He published a book in 1998 called, Winning by Grace. In it, he desired to share his faith in Jesus Christ.

In New York, his work with C-Ward's Vision Valley Ticket Program allows children from faith based programs to attend Knicks home games.

He also served more than 700 people at Thanksgiving at the West Harlem Soup Kitchen. He delivered gifts to students at the TASC program in the Bronx.

He also has been involved in mentoring programs and gospel music programs.

Charlie Ward, as a professional basketball player, has also been involved in basketball camps for children.

Charlie Ward has been at the top of the college football world and has been a success as a professional basketball player. Some might say his greatest accomplishment has been serving others.