LOS ANGELES, CA – Derrick Ward, a former running back for the New York Giants and Super Bowl winner, was taken into custody in Los Angeles on a felony charge this Monday, according to online jail records.
The arrest took place around noon, and by 6:30 p.m., Ward was booked into the Valley Jail in Van Nuys. His bail has been set at a hefty $250,000.
Ward, 43, is facing accusations of involvement in a series of robberies throughout Los Angeles. He is alleged to have used force to extract money from various businesses, gas stations included, as per TMZ.
Ward’s journey in the NFL began with the New York Jets in 2004 when he was chosen in the seventh round of the draft from Fresno State and later Ottawa University in Kansas. However, his stint with the Jets was short-lived as he was cut before playing a single game. His career took a turn for the better with the Giants, where he spent five years and was part of the formidable running back trio, “Earth, Wind and Fire,” alongside Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.
The trio played a key role in the Giants’ 2007 Super Bowl victory over the undefeated New England Patriots.
Ward moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 after a standout season with the Giants where he ran for over 1,000 yards and led the league in yards per attempt (5.6). He concluded his career with the Houston Texans, playing for them in 2010 and 2011. He hung up his boots in 2012, leaving behind a career tally of 2,628 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.