Miami coach Mario Cristobal defended Cam Ward, praising his contributions and NFL potential after being criticized for sitting out the second half against Iowa State on December 29, 2024.
Cameron Anthony Ward is an American football quarterback who recently competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the Miami Hurricanes.
Similarly, he also played college football for the Incarnate Word Cardinals and Washington State Cougars.
Moreover, Ward won the 2020 Jerry Rice Award with the Incarnate Word and the 2024 Davey O’Brien Award with Miami.
Highlights
- Cam Ward is an American football quarterback who plays for the Miami Hurricanes of the NCAA.
- Cam Ward has three elder siblings: brother Alton Ward and sisters Aaliyah and Chantel Ward.
- Ward is the youngest child of his father, Calvin Ward, a fuel buyer, and his mother, Patrice Ward, a special school teacher.
Cam Ward has been a focal point in recent football discussions. In the 2024 season, he led Miami to a 10-3 record, amassing 4,313 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
His exceptional performance earned him the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
However, Cam also faces criticism for his decision to sit out in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State on December 29, 2024.
My response to Cam Ward pulling himself out at halftime:
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) December 30, 2024
“Cam, you stood on your teammates shoulders to break a record, but when they needed you to win the game, you were nowhere to be found.”
pic.twitter.com/6UuuLUniyA
He chose to sit out the second half to avoid injury before the NFL draft, which drew criticism. However, Ward had his head coach behind him.
Miami’s head coach, Mario Cristobal, defended Ward, praising his contribution to the team and potential in the NFL.
Furthermore, Ward is a top prospect for the 2025 NFL draft. He is now advanced to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Mock draft, surpassing the Colorado Buffaloes’ Shedeur Sanders.
Cam Ward Grew Up As The Youngest In His Family, Surrounded By The Love And Affection Of His Three Older Siblings
Miami quarterback Cam Ward was born in West Columbia on May 25, 2002. He is the youngest child of his father, Calvin, and mother, Patrice Ward.
He is raised with the utmost affection from his parents and three older siblings: brother Alton, sister Aaliyah, and Chantel Ward.
Cam’s elder brother Alton graduated from Texas A&M University and has a master’s degree in Professional studies and public relations from Georgetown University.
According to his profile on Rocketreach, he has worked as regional director of business development at Angelica Corporation.
Moreover, he also worked as the account manager for the Center for Improving Value in Health Care.
In 2016, Alton made news for losing 140 pounds in a year by eating most of his meals at Chick-fil-A.
Similarly, Cam Ward’s oldest sister, Aaliyah Ward, was born in 1995. She graduated from the University of Texas and has served as head basketball coach at Columbia High School in West Columbia, Texas.
Furthermore, the other elder sister of Cam, Chantel Ward, born in 1999, serves as an assistant track and field coach at Houston Christan University.
Similarly, she threw the shot put and discus at Houston Baptist University and pursued a Bachelor’s in Mathematics.
The Ward siblings support each other and are often seen encouraging each other for their achievements in their respective professions.
Cam Ward’s Father, Calvin, Works As A Fuel Buyer, While His Mother, Patrice, Has Served As An Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach
Cam Ward grew up with an athletic background associated with his mother, Patrice, and two sisters.
Similarly, his father, Calvin, has motivated him to be consistent and patient in his chosen work and profession.
Ward’s father, Calvin, graduated from the University of Houston and works as a fuel buyer for a nuclear power plant.
Calvin recently bought his first brand-new vehicle. Cam’s mother, Patrice, shared that Calvin has been an excellent provider for the family, always giving his best, even while driving used cars.
On December 31, 2024, Patrice shared the news on her Facebook page. She writes,
Today, Calvin Ward purchased his very first brand new vehicle for himself! He always made sure that the kids and I had new vehicles, while he always drove the hand-me-downs. He’s always been a great provider for our family and always gave and continues to give us the best! He is so deserving of this!
Patrice Ward
On the other hand, Patrice Ward is a high school special education teacher who has been in the profession for about 32 years.
Moreover, she is also an assistant girl’s basketball coach at Columbia High School, together with her elder daughter, Aaliyah.
As mentioned in the interview with 247 Sports, Patrice left her profession as a coach in 2016 to watch and care for her youngest child, Cameron. However, in 2021, she resumed her job.
Additional Information
- As of 2025, Cam Ward’s estimated net worth is around $1 million, according to online sources. His income is mainly accumulated from his NIL deals.
- Cam Ward is dating Naliah Landon. They first crossed paths while attending the University of the Incarnate Word.
- Cam Ward is the 2024 Heisman Trophy Finalist. He finished fourth in the voting behind Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Dillon Gabriel.
