Cam Ward Addresses Accusations of Quitting on Miami Hurricanes
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Cam Ward has a clear message for anyone who thinks he quit on the Miami Hurricanes by not finishing his final game with them: "Okay, you’re either going to draft me or you’re not."
Ward, a quarterback, was showered with online criticism after he didn’t play in the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl in December, a 42-41 loss to Iowa State. He broke the NCAA Division I record for career touchdown passes before halftime.
However, Ward maintains that the decision not to play in the second half was predetermined by him and the entire coaching staff. "I just think we all got what we needed out of it. They seen things that they think they need to work on for this season coming up. And they also knew what I had on the line," he said.
Ward broke the Division I record for career touchdown passes with his first three TD passes in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, when he threw for 190 yards to push Miami to a 31-28 halftime lead. He finished his college career with 158 TD passes and his 18,189 passing yards are third-most in NCAA history.
Despite the criticism, Miami coach Mario Cristobal has defended Ward, calling the accusations of him quitting on the team "a false narrative." Ward agrees, saying, "If I could do it again, I’d do it the same way. I wish we could have ended up winning the game. If we had won the game, they wouldn’t have said nothing. And so that’s usually how it goes. And, you know, you just got to take it on the chin and just keep pushing."
Conclusion
Cam Ward’s decision not to play in the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl has sparked a lot of debate and criticism. However, Ward is adamant that his decision was the right one, both for himself and for the program. He is confident that he will be able to answer any questions or concerns that NFL scouts or teams may have about his decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Cam Ward not play in the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl?
- Ward and the coaching staff made the decision not to play in the second half, citing a desire to work on specific areas and prepare for the future.
- Did Ward quit on the Miami Hurricanes?
- Ward and Miami coach Mario Cristobal have both denied this, calling it a "false narrative."
- Will Cam Ward throw at the NFL combine?
- Ward hasn’t decided yet, but he does plan to throw at Miami’s pro day.
- How many touchdown passes did Cam Ward throw in his college career?
- Ward threw 158 touchdown passes in his college career.
