Former NFL running back Derrick Ward was arrested in Los Angeles on Monday, facing allegations of multiple robberies, including incidents at gas stations, as reported by TMZ.
Ward, 43, a Los Angeles native, was accused of committing these robberies without the use of a firearm, but law enforcement stated that he employed force and intimidation to take money from various businesses.
As of Tuesday, Ward remains in police custody, and his bail has been set at $250,000, according to TMZ.
Derrick Ward had an eight-year NFL career, playing for teams such as the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans. He was a notable member of the Giants’ backfield, which included Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, earning them the nickname “Earth, Wind and Fire.”
Unfortunately, Ward missed the Super Bowl in February 2008 when the Giants faced the undefeated New England Patriots due to a fractured left fibula that ended his season in Week 13. He expressed his disappointment at the time, stating that not being able to play in the Super Bowl was one of the hardest experiences he had been through.
However, Ward made a strong comeback the following year, achieving a career-high of 1,023 rushing yards with an NFL-best 5.6 yards per attempt. He later signed a four-year, $17 million deal with the Buccaneers in 2009.
Throughout his NFL career, Ward appeared in 93 games and accumulated 2,628 rushing yards on 551 attempts, scoring 12 touchdowns.
