It wasn't uncommon this summer and fall to see a pair of footless cleats just outside the locker room door toward the practice fields at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
They sat in the sun — and once or twice needed to be moved back inside when a storm popped up — as fresh black paint dried.
Jihad Ward had to get them the way he wanted them.
"I just like to paint them black. Everything black. Most of the time, they are colored," he said. "On that defense, you've got to wear black."
Ward has worn many colors in nine NFL seasons. He's been a Raider (2016-17), Colt (2018-19), Raven (2019-20), Jaguar (2021) and Giant (2022-23). He's developed over the years into a forceful figure, whether lined up on the interior or edge of the defense.
Adversities early in his career have furthered his appreciation for playing football and balancing his commitment to the sport with humor and an in-depth perspective.
Sure, his celebration following big defensive plays, like the fumble he plucked mid-air in Week 2 against San Francisco, involves putting a crown on his head, but "Haddy" prefers his style to be accented by a plain black hoodie.
"I've been doing that since I was a young player, way before I was a Raven," Ward said. "Everybody's got gold teeth and silver teeth and chains and stuff. I wear the hoody. It ain't no meaning. It's just me."
We caught up with the Philadelphia native for this Water Break presented by Crown Royal to ask about Minnesota's 2024 free agency class coming together so effectively to help fuel Minnesota's 10-2 start.
Q: You've brought a depth of experience to the group, and several other free agents have, too, but one question before the season was about how well the new additions would merge and play together. Why have you guys been able to so quickly play successfully off each other?
A: We just come from different teams. Everybody's got one-year situations, so it's either we all come together or we're just kind of a [mess]. Everybody knows how it feels to, how should I say this, a one-year deal mentality, which includes players and coaches, as well. Whatever adversity we go through, we all have to talk and get to know each other. That's how close I am with J.G. (Jonathan Greenard) and the rest of the guys.
Q: Has this season matched what you thought would be the potential of this team? Have you exceeded expectations?
A: To be honest with you, we just are taking everything one step at a time. We're not looking at the future. A lot of people be dreaming about Super Bowls and playoffs and stuff like that. Everybody can, you know, whether you have a [bad] record or a nice record, I've been in the playoffs five times. It don't matter if you have a good or bad record in there. All that matters is when you lose, it's over.
Q: Photographers captured a picture of Jordan Addison staying in bounds at Chicago and the sideline exploding, but you stayed chill. Describe the calmness of your reaction compared to everyone else.
A: Jordan caught the ball and had his momentum. He thought he was out, but we're all pointing "go." I'm not going to say we had eye contact, but I pointed, and once everybody was pointing, "just go."
Q: I think you "body Englished" him to stay in bounds.
A: Yeah, and I told him, "Stay in bounds, stay in bounds, stay in bounds."
Q: Brian Flores was describing the dynamic between you and Jonathan Greenard during meetings and the fun relationship you guys have —
A: Really? All we're doing is talking about ball, to be honest with you — sometimes off the field, but he cares about us a lot. He knows we're a nice little duo and thinks we're funny as hell, so we just like to laugh around and talk about ball.
Q: He compared it to kids in a classroom where you've got to separate the buddies once in a while.
A: It's cool, but he's funny as hell. We treat him like he's the old uncle. He's going to make us right, regardless.
Q: He thought you might be joking on him or about the look he's got that day with his fit?
A: No, he's just naturally funny. Here's the thing, every time he sees something that's funny, he looks at us because he knows we're about to say some funny stuff.
Q: Is there something specific that comes to mind?
A: Not at the moment, but there's stuff in practice where somebody gets hit on the field or makes a crazy play, he's going to look dead at us because he wants to see our reaction. You've got to mic him up to see his reaction.
Q: Flo' also shared that you're the favorite player of his sons who are 11 and 10 years old, and they ask him every day, 'What did Haddy do?'
Editor's note: Ward downshifted and paused for a moment to reflect on this comment before answering in a quieter voice.
A: Damn, I never knew that. They're my young bulls, man. I like his sons. That's a speechless moment. I appreciate that.
Q: Why do you seem to love every aspect of the game so much?
A: I just love the game. I just enjoy every moment because one play can change your life. It's deeper than football, so you've got to keep enjoying every moment. This league is going to leave you, so I just try to enjoy every bit and not worry about the business side of things. I just enjoy every bit. As I grow older, I already know the business side of things. You already know what you're going to do on game day, you already know what you're going to do in practice. We've been in this [grind] too many times, so why not enjoy it? I feel like a lot of players in this league don't enjoy it, so if you hang around with me, it's not just football. I've been through a lot of adversity in my career, so at the end of the day, I'm unbreakable.
