Browns' Star Shows Love to Cleveland, As Guardians New Minority Owner

There's something about Cleveland that outsiders just don't understand, but to those who hail from the city and its many Northeast Ohio suburbs, there tends to be an unbreakable bond that forms between the two. 

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is well aware of that bond. He's born and raised in one of those Cleveland suburbs, attending Nordonia high school, then went to college at the state's biggest university Ohio State and has spent the last eight seasons play for his hometown's football team. 

Ward's unique connection with Cleveland is why he felt driven to become a minority owner for one of the other teams in town. On Wednesday, the Cleveland Guardians officially announced that Ward was buying a minority stake in the franchise, helping Ward dig even deeper roots to the only city he's ever called home.

It was an opportunity he simply felt he couldn't pass up. 

"Yeah, the [Guardians] worked with me throughout the entire process and I'm just grateful that they brought me on, gave me a great opportunity to continue to be a part of the Cleveland community. And that's what's most important. And I love the Guardians. I always watch them and it's just a great opportunity." 

The fact that he's from Cleveland, and grew up a fan of the franchise only makes it that much sweeter for the 2018 No. 4 overall pick. He hopes it's a move that continues to show just how much passion he has for the city. 

"I'm a Cleveland kid and love Cleveland to death and just had the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Cleveland community in different ways," he said. "And this way with the baseball team, with the Guardians, like I said, it's just a great opportunity. And looking forward to see what we continue to do.

In his wildest dreams, Ward never pictured something like this would even be something he'd have an opportunity to be part of. 

"Honestly, no," Ward admitted. I mean, you have thoughts just thinking about how you could grow in life and things to be a part of and stuff like that. So you have some thoughts here and there, but I think once we started having talks and seeing that it was a real thing and how serious it was getting, I think it became more real over time."

It's a full circle moment for Ward, and one he isn't taking for granted. 

"Just watching them as a kid. I went to the games when I was a little kid, so it was easy to be a fan growing up," he said. "To be a part of this organization is pretty special."

Ward will follow in the footsteps of fellow Cleveland native and Kansas City Chiefs star tight end (and yes, also Taylor Swift's husband) Travis Kelce, who was announced as a minority owner of the ball club back in May. 

Similarly, Ward's ex-teammate Myles Garrett became a minority owner a brand ambassador with the Cleveland Cavaliers several years back. Ward isn't sure all that his role with the Guardians will entail, but he's ready for anything. 

"Wherever they need me, we going to have those talks and I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I'm going to go down to the stadium soon. And I think it's going to be like a Denzel Ward day or something like that. We going to go out and have a good time, have fun at the game. But yeah, whatever they need me." 

Unlike Kelce, who saw his day to celebrate becoming a minority owner of the Guardians spoiled by a rainout, Ward hopes his celebration goes off without a hitch next Tuesday, ahead of a pivotal matchup with the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.