BEREA — Denzel Ward was already living out a dream of many Northeast Ohio kids by having a Pro Bowl career for the Browns.
He fulfilled another by buying a minority stake in the Guardians.
The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback was born and raised in the area and attended Nordonia High School and Ohio State. He was drafted by the Browns with the No. 4 pick in 2018.
“I’m a Cleveland kid and love Cleveland to death and just had the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Cleveland community in different ways,” Ward said Wednesday before practice. “It’s just a great opportunity. And looking forward to see what we continue to do.
“They worked with me throughout the entire process and I’m just grateful that they brought me on. And I love the Guardians. I always watch them and it’s just a great opportunity.”
Ward signed a two-year, $62.2 million contract extension at the start of training camp in July. The Browns open the season Sunday in Jacksonville.
Paul Dolan is the chairman/chief executive officer of the Guardians and David Blitzer the vice chairman. Blitzer reportedly owns 35 percent of the team with an option to eventually become the controlling owner.
Chiefs tight end and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce previously purchased a minority stake in the Guardians.
“Denzel Ward is a hometown hero on the field and off it,” Dolan and Blitzer said in the release. “His excellence, character and commitment to this community — including his work with the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation — make him a perfect fit for our organization. We are proud to welcome him as a partner in the Guardians’ future.”
The Guardians will celebrate Ward on Tuesday during a game against the White Sox at Progressive Field. He said he’ll do “whatever they need” in his new role
Ward isn’t the first Browns player to purchase a stake in a Cleveland team. Myles Garrett, who was traded to the Rams in June, bought a small piece of the Cavaliers. Ward never imagined being part-owner of a professional franchise.
“Honestly, no,” he said. “You have thoughts just thinking about how you could grow in life and things to be a part of and stuff like that. So you have some thoughts here and there, but I think once we started having talks and seeing that it was a real thing and how serious it was getting, I think it became more real over time.”
