Ward attended Washington High School, where he played as a running back and wide receiver. He also practiced basketball. He accepted a football scholarship from Division I-AA Northern Iowa University. He became a starter at wide receiver as a sophomore. As a junior, he caught 50 receptions for 1,283 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the nation with 116.4 receiving yards per game. As a senior, he posted 70 receptions for 1,556 yards and 17 touchdowns. On special teams, he averaged 11.1 yards per punt return, with 2 touchdowns. He returned 2 kickoffs. Against Illinois State University, he set a school record with 247 receiving yards, while also scoring 3 touchdowns. Ward finished his career as the school's and conference's All-time leading wide receiver with 176 receptions for 3,876 yards, 41 touchdown receptions and 304 career points. He was the only player in Gateway Football Conference history to produce 3 consecutive seasons of over 1,000 yards, leading the conference each year. He had a mark of 27 consecutive games with a reception and also blocked 2 punts. He was a part of the track team, placing third in the 55 metres with a time of 6.33 seconds at the Gateway Indoor Championships his senior season. He set a school record in the 200 metres with a time of 20.86 seconds. In 2010, he was inducted into the University of Northern IowaAthletics Hall of Fame.
Professional career
New York Jets
Ward was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft, because his special teams production reminded head coachBill Parcells of David Meggett. In 1998, he started 4 games, recording 25 receptions for 477 yards and 4 touchdowns, with a 19.1-yard average. He had a career-high 71-yard touchdown reception in the AFC East conference clinching win against the Buffalo Bills. He had 5 receptions for 61 yards in the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos. In 1999, when Wayne Chrebet broke a bone in his foot in preseason, he became the No. 2 receiver for the first five games of the regular season. He ended up starting 10 games as the team's deep threat, collecting 22 receptions for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns, while averaging 7.6 yards on 38 punt returns. In 2000, he became a full-time starter after Keyshawn Johnson was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had a breakout year, posting 16 starts, 54 receptions for 801 yards and 3 touchdowns. He returned 27 punts for a 7.9-yard average. Against the Baltimore Ravens, he had 8 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown.
Miami Dolphins
On April 18, 2001, he was signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins. In August, he suffered a lef foot stress fracture and missed a month. He was a backup behind Oronde Gadsden, appearing in 13 games, with 21 receptions and 209 yards. In 2002, he appeared in 16 games, returning 16 punts with 10.6-yard average and making 19 receptions for 172 yards. He was released in a salary-cap move on February 26, 2003.
New England Patriots (first stint)
On May 22, 2003, he was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots, reuniting with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who had the same role with the Jets. On August 31, he was released after being passed on the depth chart by David Patten.
Baltimore Ravens
On October 6, 2003, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent, to be used to return punts. He appeared in 3 games and was declared inactive in 3 contests. He was released on November 18.
New England Patriots (second stint)
On November 20, 2003, he was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots to add depth to the wide receiver position. He appeared in 4 games and was declared inactive in 2 contests. He played in each postseason game playing a part of the Super Bowl XXXVIII winning team. He was targeted by Tom Brady 4 times in the three postseason games making one catch for 22 yards in the Patriots divisional round win over the Titans.
Dallas Cowboys
On June 11, 2004, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, reuniting with Bill Parcells who was also his head coach with the Jets. On June 24, he suffered a right broken foot while working out in the team's facility. On July 31, he returned to practice. He appeared in 8 games and was declared inactive in 7 contests. He made one reception for 5 yards, one carry for 11 rushing yards and returned 14 punts for an 8.1-yard average. He was released on December 31. Ward played in 103 regular-season games during his NFL career with 167 receptions for 2,307 yards and 12 touchdowns, to go along with 123 punt returns for 1,026 yards.
