House Concurrent Resolution 21

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI'S NATIVE SON AND THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S CORNERBACK EXTRAORDINAIRE, CHARVARIUS WARD, UPON A SUCCESSFUL SEASON WITH THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND BECOMING A SUPER BOWL LIV CHAMPION.

WHEREAS, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward has served as a distinguished athlete and role model throughout his illustrious football career of demonstrating unmitigated athletic prowess and dedicated service as a remarkable football player and source of inspiration, and now, he joins an elite fraternity of premier Mississippi athletes who have had the distinct honor of hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy high in the air after being crowned "Super Bowl Champions"; and

WHEREAS, the road to Charvarius Ward's success has not been easy, as he has been forced to overcome several obstacles, including hip surgery, to get from McComb, Mississippi, to Miami Gardens, Florida, but his path and his future have always been destined for greatness; and

WHEREAS, Charvarius, one of only a few introverted cornerback's in the National Football League, only had three years of high school at McComb High School, as he went from being a freshman to a junior, skipping the sophomore slump, but as a self-proclaimed "momma's boy" and proud of it, he did not play football until his senior year, yet he recorded 48 tackles, one interception and received all-region honors; and

WHEREAS, for any American gladiator on the 100-yard plane, the pinnacle of excellence lies in the ability to capture the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, and for Charvarius Ward, that quest began by accumulating 64 tackles, four interceptions, seven passes defended, one forced fumble and one blocked kick during his tenure at Hinds Community College and 74 tackles, two interceptions, 21 passes defended, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery, three tackles for a loss and one sack at Middle Tennessee State University; and

WHEREAS, after a stellar performance at his pro day at Middle Tennessee State University, Charvarius was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, but on August 30, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs traded offensive guard Parker Ehinger to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Charvarius, initially devastating the young, shy player; and

WHEREAS, Charvarius thought his dreams of playing in the NFL, much less for a Super Bowl, were dead, but his mind was put at ease after a phone call with Chiefs' general manager Brett Veach, who assured him he would make the Chiefs' team, and after the coaches determined the best methods to motivate and drill Charvarius, he became a destructive force for the defense, ruining pass plays and creating turnovers for the first time in his career; and

WHEREAS, Charvarius Ward was cemented as one of the best young cornerbacks in the league on October 13, 2019, when he nabbed a one-handed interception thrown by rising star Deshaun Watson to legendary wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and since that day, his understanding of route concepts has deepened and his technique and on-field communication has improved greatly; and

WHEREAS, throughout the Chiefs' rise to championship status, Charvarius has started in all 18 games and contributed 79 tackles, four takeaways and 11 pass deflections, and during the big game, which was a test of the true Chiefs' stamina, as it consisted of brutal physicality in the trenches and back and forth scores that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the last down was played, Charvarius Ward made a huge impact, as he recorded four tackles to help defeat the indomitable San Francisco 49ers; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas City Chiefs have truly benefitted from the unrivaled skill and competence Charvarius provides to the Chiefs' football program, as success from the fields and tales of his accomplishments will forever echo throughout the stands at Arrowhead Stadium with the beginning of each new season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the accomplishments of Mississippi athletes, especially those such as Charvarius Ward, who continuously demonstrates the qualities and characteristics of a remarkably talented and humble professional athlete and who has brought honor to McComb High School, Hinds Community College and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mississippi's native son and the National Football League's cornerback extraordinaire, Charvarius Ward, upon a successful season with the Kansas City Chiefs and becoming a Super Bowl LIV Champion, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Charvarius Ward, the President of Hinds Community College, the Principal of McComb High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.