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Canton’s Ward Earns Roster Spot At Rutgers

Tagged under: District 4, News

| January 26, 2022

Former Canton wide receiver/defensive back Timmy Ward announced via his Twitter account on Thursday, January 20 that he has earned a roster spot at Rutgers University.

“This whole experience for me has been very unique to say the least,” Ward said. “Over the last few years I have not given myself much of a chance to take a step back and soak in what was actually happening to me. Mostly because when I was younger my dream was to always play football at a high level and since then I’ve been doing anything I possibly can to get myself there. I had a lot of reasons to give up that dream but it is what I honestly love to do and I think that someone would have had to kill me to give it up. Everything I have gone through has made me a better person and has prepared me for the battles of life.”

After his junior season of 2018 Ward earned All-State honors. He was the 3rd leading receiver in the Northern Tier League with 36 catches for 645 yards and 7 touchdowns, 2 kick return touchdowns, 84 tackles, 11 interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Then something wasn’t right. Ward was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that ultimately cost his spring sports season and his fall 2019 season.

But the cancer diagnosis didn’t stop Ward. He worked his way back to full strength and eventually competed at the PIAA Wresting State championships where he finished 6th in the state in his weight class.

Ward was granted an extra year of eligibility in football by the PIAA for the 2020 season. (More HERE about his return) In his first game in over a year against rival Troy Ward help guide the Warriors to a 34-28 win in the Old Shoe game. He made 13 tackles (9 solo), but faced another setback. This time it was his ACL.

“It was very hard to keep believing in something that does not seem to even be possible. But my family always made sure that I knew I could do it. I had a lot of days where I was down and didn’t know what I was going to do but I was always able to regather myself and get back to work.”

Again Ward overcame this most recent setback with his eyes still focused on one day playing college football. With very few teams interested in him Ward’s future was still in jeopardy until he reconnected with Coach Rob Hinson at Rutgers.

“Before I tore my ACL I was in contact with Coach Hinson and there had been a chance that I could get a preferred walk-on (PWO) from them. But, after my knee they
had said they would not be able to offer me a PWO.”

But that still didn’t stop Ward.

“Coach Hinson said I could come and be a student manager for the fall and continue to rehab my knee in the meantime. I chose what I thought would give me the best opportunity to achieve what I always wanted. And that was to pack up and head to Piscataway.”

Ward has since been on campus since the fall getting stronger and learning the Scarlet Knights’ system. Now Ward is officially on the roster and going through their off-season program.

“So far everything is going great! Our winter workouts are going on right now and we are working hard and are finding ways to get better everyday.”

Now Ward is trying to help his new team in any way possible.

“I want to be the best teammate I can possibly be, he concluded. “If I end up getting on the field then that will be awesome! Coach Schiano is building something great here in New Jersey and I’m just blessed to be a part of it!”

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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