1. Jihad Ward is an American professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings.
24 Facts About Jihad Ward
1. 2.
Jihad Ward played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
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Jihad Ward began as a wide receiver and safety, before being converted into a stand up defensive end as a junior.
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Jihad Ward received second-team All-City and first-team All-City honors.
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Jihad Ward was named a starter at defensive end in the fourth game of the season.
6.
Jihad Ward posted 51 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and one pass defended.
7.
Jihad Ward registered 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
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Jihad Ward was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and participated at Illinois' Pro Day and even improved on the majority of his combine numbers.
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Jihad Ward was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft, after dropping because he had a knee injury that was expected to require arthroscopic surgery.
10.
Jihad Ward didn't participate much in organized team activities during the offseason.
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Jihad Ward finished his rookie season with 30 tackles in 16 games, 13 of which were starts.
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Jihad Ward was placed on injured reserve on October 26,2018, with an ankle injury.
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On October 1,2019, Jihad Ward was released by the Colts.
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On October 7,2019, Jihad Ward was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.
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Jihad Ward appeared in ten games in the 2020 season.
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Jihad Ward had three sacks, 16 total tackles, and two passes defended.
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On March 17,2021, Jihad Ward signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
18.
Jihad Ward recorded two sacks and 32 total tackles.
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On March 21,2022, Jihad Ward signed with the New York Giants on a one-year contract.
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Jihad Ward played in 17 games with 11 starts, recording a career-high 43 tackles and three sacks.
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Jihad Ward played in all 17 games with nine starts.
22.
On March 20,2024, Jihad Ward signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
23.
Jihad Ward finished the 2024 season with one sack, ten tackles, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery.
24.
Jihad Ward has said that his name, Jihad, which is popular where he was raised in Philadelphia, has been misunderstood due to the negative connotations associated with the term, which has been used to describe Islamic violence against non-Muslims.