Two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro safety TJ Ward hung up his cleats in 2021, retiring from the NFL as a well-known member of the 2016 Broncos’ ‘ No Fly Zone’ defense that led them to win Super Bowl 50. Life after football didn’t change Ward’s mentality; he continued to make his presence felt by giving back to his community and creating programs that foster relationships with youth.
Recently, Ward became StormBurger’s first Community Ambassador and celebrated his new role with a free family event launch at StormBurger in Inglewood on Oct. 11. “ It was good seeing the community turn out. I’m always excited to give back to my community and people who supported me during my playing days.” Ward said learning to work the kitchen on the fly was a new challenge. “It wasn’t second nature at all and did take a second to get adjusted. Once I got comfortable with the pace of the kitchen and the orders coming in, I was locked in flipping patties and making sure everyone enjoyed themselves.” Fun fact about Ward: Outside the NFL, Ward’s only other job was working with his dad in custodial work.
Ward and Stormburger’s partnership started after Ward shouted them out while answering a question during the Super Bowl. “ I was asked who had the best burgers in LA. At first, I couldn’t really think of anything, because I don’t really eat fast food like that, but Storm Burger instantly popped into my head because I recently ate there and the burgers were still fresh in my mind.”
Ward’s other philanthropic work includes his own Wardboy Project, which he created with his family to give back to Bay Area youth and create opportunities for the next generation guided by the principle, “I am my brother’s keeper.”
The Wardboy Project follows a simple acronym, D.R.A.W( Develop, Reach, Achieve, Win), to help youth reach new heights in their lives. It’s the operating system of every Wardboy Project program. Each pillar builds on the last, guiding student athletes from where they are to who they’re meant to become. Following those pillars has resulted in 1500 youth served through camps and clinics, over 300 volunteers and mentors engaging with students, and a 100 percent high school graduation rate for seniors involved with the project. To learn more about the program and his other work, visit Wardboyproject.org.
