MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Witherspoon, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, McCaughn, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sojourner, Thomas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING NFL SUPER BOWL LIV CHAMPION KANSAS CITY CHIEFS' FOOTBALL CORNERBACK CHARVARIUS WARD WHO WAS A STANDOUT AT MCCOMB HIGH SCHOOL AND HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
WHEREAS, Super Bowl LIV featured nine players with Mississippi connections, five with the Kansas City Chiefs and four with the San Francisco 49ers. Among the championship Kansas City team stars was Cornerback Charvarius Ward from McComb, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Charvarius Ward was born in McComb, Mississippi, and
attended McComb High School for three years. As a senior, he tallied 48 tackles, one interception and received All-Region honors; and
WHEREAS, he enrolled at Hinds Community College, and as a freshman, he collected 32 tackles, three interceptions, 5 passes defensed and one forced fumble. As a sophomore, he recorded 32 tackles, one interception, two passes defensed and one blocked kick. He transferred to Middle Tennessee State University for his junior season, appearing in 12 games with two starts, while making 26 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed, one quarterback hurry and one fumble recovery. As a senior, he played in 13 games with eight starts, posting 48 tackles (sixth on the team), three tackles for loss, one sack and led the team with 14 passes defensed; and
WHEREAS, Charvarius did not receive an invitation to attend the NFL Combine; however, on January 20, 2018, Ward played with the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Collegiate Bowl. On March 12, 2018, Ward attended Middle Tennessee State's pro day and performed all the combine and positional drills. He had a stellar performance at his pro day which greatly elevated his draft stock. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Ward was ranked as the 46th best cornerback prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com; and
WHEREAS, on April 30, 2018, the Dallas Cowboys signed Ward to a three-year contract, and throughout training camp, Ward competed to be the fifth cornerback on the active roster; and
WHEREAS, on August 30, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs traded with the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Ward to provide needed depth for their offensive line. Head Coach Andy Reid named Ward the fifth backup cornerback on the active roster to began the regular season. On October 1, 2018, Ward made his professional regular season debut and recorded three combined tackles during a 27-23 victory at the Denver Broncos in week three. On December 23, 2018, Ward earned his first career start. He recorded eight combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Chiefs lost 38-31 at the Seattle Seahawks in week 16. He finished his rookie season in 2018 with 30 combined tackles (26 solo) and three pass deflections in 13 games and two starts. The Kansas City Chiefs finished first in the AFC West with a 12–4 record and earned a first-round bye. On January 12, 2019, Charvarius Ward started in his first career playoff game and recorded four combined tackles and deflected four passes during a 31–13 win against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Round. The following week, he collected seven combined tackles in the Chiefs' 37–31 loss against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. With 54 seconds remaining in the game, Ward caught what would have been the game-ending interception to send the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIII, but the play did not stand due to a penalty; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 Head Coach Andy Reid named Ward and Bashaud Breeland the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season in 2019. On September 15, 2019, Ward made four combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception during a 28-10 win at the Oakland Raiders in week two. Ward intercepted a pass by Derek Carr, that was originally intended for wide receiver Ryan Grant, and returned it for a ten-yard gain during the third quarter. Ward then made his second interception against the Houston Texans by snagging a one-handed interception over DeAndre Hopkins. Charvarius Ward helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LIV where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. Ward recorded four tackles in the game; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a professional Mississippi athlete who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate NFL Super Bowl LIV Champion Kansas City Chiefs' Football Cornerback Charvarius Ward who was a standout at McComb High School and Hinds Community College, and extend our best wishes on the occasion of "Charvarius Ward Day" at McComb High School.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Charvarius Ward and his family and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.