Ward’s happiness at home leading to production on field for 49ers

Ward’s happiness at home leading to production on field for 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA — Charvarius Ward has experienced an on-field breakthrough over the past several weeks, and the 49ers cornerback revealed this week that it’s because of a positive step forward at home.

Ward spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area about the shift in his life as a father to his 1-year-old daughter, Amani Joi, who has Down syndrome.

“The past month, my daughter has started smiling when she sees me and coming to me more,” Ward said. “At first, she used to love on her mama so much, I couldn’t really get close to her. Now since she turned 1, she has started to smile every time she sees me.”

It hasn’t been an easy road for Ward and his girlfriend, Monique, who spent weeks uncertain of Amani’s health immediately after she was born. Then in April, at 4 months old, Amani underwent successful open heart surgery.

Not being able to bond with his first-born heavily weighed on Ward.

“It was on my conscience,” Ward said. “Why can’t I connect to my daughter? This is my seed. I couldn’t connect with her at all, and it was hurting my feelings. It was on my mind a lot. I’m not trying to make excuses, but ever since we got closer, I’ve been balling. Shout-out to God and my daughter for making that relationship good.”

The turnaround at home coincided with the turnaround on the field. Ward has 10 pass breakups over the past four games, and he leads the NFL with 19 on the season. Still, the work isn’t done.

“I want to catch interceptions,” said Ward, who has two this season and seven in his six-year NFL career. “The PBUs are cool — I’m making plays, even early in the season when I was getting a lot of penalties. I was still making plays even when it seemed like I was playing bad. It just goes to show I can cover man-to-man, Cover 3, Cover 2. I’m going to always be in position to make a play.”

Ward also credits the chemistry he’s built with 49ers teammates Deommodore Lenoir and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wards-happiness-home-leading-production-003906202.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2023-12-09 00:39:06

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