Jun 8, 2026, 3:42 PM CUT
TJ Ward Shares Honest Feelings About Broncos After Missing Out on His Draft Night in 2010
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills December 12, 2010 Orchard Park, NY, USA Cleveland Browns safety TJ Ward 43 defends a pass to Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler 84 during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo defeated Cleveland 13-6. Orchard Park Ralph Wilson Stadium NY USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxE.xSokolowski-USAxTODAYxSportsx 5008890
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills December 12, 2010 Orchard Park, NY, USA Cleveland Browns safety TJ Ward 43 defends a pass to Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler 84 during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo defeated Cleveland 13-6. Orchard Park Ralph Wilson Stadium NY USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxE.xSokolowski-USAxTODAYxSportsx 5008890
Former NFL safety T.J. Ward wasn't drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he got to experience the green room in Denver years after being drafted in 2010, and missing out on that night back then.
According to Broncoswire.com, Ward was invited to the draft stage in Pittsburgh as an honored alumnus. He was there to announce Denver’s third-round pick (No. 66 overall), defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim.
"Although I wasn’t drafted in Denver, it has become my football home.” Ward shared his excitement on Instagram. “I did not attend the 2010 draft night when I was drafted in the second round, so it was great to experience what the green room is like with all the other great team representatives."
T.J. Ward was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as their second-round draft pick back in 2010. Since he was projected to go later, he eventually did not attend his own draft night and watched the event from home.
“It was an honor to be on that stage representing #BroncosCountry and presenting the Broncos 2026 Draft pick,” he added, “Nothing but love for the organization, the fans, and the city that embraced me from day one."
Ward went on to play three seasons for the Broncos from 2014 to 2016, in which he recorded 222 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, and five forced fumbles.
He was also a key member of the famous "No Fly Zone" defense that helped Denver win Super Bowl 50.
Looking Back at T.J Ward's NFL Career
In a roster shakeup ahead of the 2017 NFL season, the Denver Broncos made the heavy decision to release Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward after he spent three seasons with the franchise.
ESPN, back then, reported that Broncos President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway acknowledged the difficulty.
"This was a difficult decision to part ways with T.J. after everything he's done for our football team.” Elway stated, “He was a respected teammate whose attitude and physical mindset played a big part in our success, especially during our Super Bowl run."
At the time, the 30-year-old defensive back was entering the final year of his contract and had been sidelined for the entire 2017 preseason due to a lingering hamstring injury.
Following his departure from Denver, Ward moved to the 2017 campaign by signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which would be his final year in the NFL.
Read more at the Denver Broncos Community!
Written by
Aaindri Thakuri
Edited by
Aadesh Dhote