John Ward (American football, born 1948)

Last updated

John Ward
No. 72, 73
Position: Center,
Defensive end,
Guard
Personal information
Born:(1948-05-27)May 27, 1948
Enid, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died:December 4, 2012(2012-12-04) (aged 64)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school: Will Rogers (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
College: Oklahoma State
NFL draft: 1970  / Round: 1 / Pick: 25
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:78
Games started:16
Player stats at PFR

John Henry Ward (May 27, 1948 – December 4, 2012) was an American professional football player who was a center, defensive end and guard in the National Football League (NFL) from 1970 to 1976 for the Minnesota Vikings, the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played high school football at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and was the Vikings' first round pick in the 1970 NFL draft. Ward was also a wrestler at Oklahoma State, where he earned NCAA All-American honors in 1969. [1] Ward died of cancer on December 4, 2012. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Page</span> American football player and judge (born 1945)

Alan Cedric Page is an American retired Minnesota state Supreme Court judge and former professional football player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommie Harris</span> American football player (born 1983)

Tommie Harris, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and was recognized as a consensus All-American twice. The Chicago Bears chose him in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, and he also played a season for the San Diego Chargers. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Tatum</span> American football player (1948–2010)

John David Tatum was an American professional football safety who played 10 seasons, from 1971 through 1980 with the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Oilers in the National Football League (NFL). He was popularly known as "the Assassin" because of his playing style. Tatum was voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls (1973–1975) and played on one Super Bowl-winning team in nine seasons with the Raiders. He’s also known for a hit he made against New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a 1978 preseason game that paralyzed Stingley from the neck down. He won a national championship at Ohio State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Williams (defensive tackle)</span> American football player (born 1980)

Kevin Williams is an American former football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings ninth overall in the 2003 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Langer</span> American football player (1948–2019)

James John Langer was an American professional football player who was a center and guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings. BBC Sport reported him as one of the greatest centers in NFL history. Langer was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Blair</span> American football player (1950–2020)

Matthew Albert Blair was an American football linebacker who played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) for all 12 seasons of his career from 1974 to 1985. He played college football for the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Golden Norsemen and the Iowa State Cyclones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curley Culp</span> American football player (1946–2021)

Curley Culp was an American football defensive lineman who was a defensive tackle in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State University, where he was also an NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion. He played football professionally in the AFL for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968 and 1969, and in the NFL for the Chiefs, Houston Oilers, and Detroit Lions. He was an AFL All-Star in 1969 and a six-time AFC–NFC Pro Bowler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Sherk</span> American football player (born 1948)

Jerry Martin Sherk is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons between 1970 until 1981. He made the Pro Bowl lineup for four straight years from 1973 through 1976, and is widely considered to be among the best defensive players in Cleveland Browns history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Bradford</span> American football player (born 1987)

Samuel Jacob Bradford is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Joyce (American football)</span> American football player and wrestler (1929–2012)

Donald Gilbert Joyce was an American football defensive end and professional wrestler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Shipley</span> American football player (born 1985)

Jordan Shipley is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Shipley played college football for the Texas Longhorns, receiving consensus All-American recognition in 2009. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and also played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Ward (American football, born 1927)</span> American football player and coach (1927–2005)

Robert Richard Ward was an American gridiron football coach and player. He played college football for the Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He is considered, alongside Randy White, as one of the greatest linemen to have ever played for Maryland. Ward is the only player to have been named an Associated Press first-team All-American for both an offensive and defensive position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Sullivan (center)</span> American football player (born 1985)

John Sullivan is a former American football center. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft, later playing for the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Peterson</span> American football player (born 1985)

Adrian Lewis Peterson is an American football running back who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs in football history. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, setting the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards in 2004. Named a unanimous All-American that year, he became the first freshman to finish as a runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Peterson finished his college career as the Sooners' third all-time leading rusher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Okung</span> American football player (born 1988)

Russell Okung is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and was twice recognized as an All-American, including a unanimous selection in 2009. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the sixth overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and also played for the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Pastrana</span> American football player (1944–2021)

Charles Alan Pastrana was an American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Maryland from 1965 to 1968. In 1966, he set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for single-season passing touchdowns with 17. At Maryland, Pastrana also played on the lacrosse team and was named a first-team All-American defenseman in 1966. The Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) selected Pastrana in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played for Denver for two seasons, including three games as the starting quarterback. After his playing career, Pastrana coached football, lacrosse and wrestling at Anne Arundel Community College, where he taught as an associate professor, and coached football at the Severn School.


Loyd "Pig" Arms was an American professional football player. He was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Arms was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1943, but he played his entire professional career (1946–1948) with the Chicago Cardinals. He also wrestled in college at Oklahoma A&M, where he was an NCAA national champion and three-time All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mackensie Alexander</span> American football player (born 1993)

Mackensie Alexander is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Clemson, where after redshirting his freshman season, became a key role player on the Tigers' defense his second season, earning Freshman All-American honors. Entering his sophomore season, he was a key part of the Tigers' defense, which was ranked among the best in all of college football. Alexander was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals.

References