September 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nExactly how much Ward is investing in the Guardians was not revealed. Back in May, Kansas City Chiefs star and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce purchased a minority ownership in the Guardians. Ward was born in Macedonia, and attended Nordonia High School before continuing his career at Ohio State.<\/p>\n
\u201cDenzel Ward is a hometown hero on the field and off it,\u201d Paul Dolan, Guardians Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and David Blitzer, Guardians Vice Chairman, said in a statement.\u00a0 \u201cHis excellence, character and commitment to this community \u2014 including his work with the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation \u2014 make him a perfect fit for our organization. We are proud to welcome him as a partner in the Guardians\u2019 future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Guardians plan to celebrate Ward on Sept. 15 at Progressive Field before facing the White Sox in what could be a critical game in the American League playoff race. Ward joked that he might be able to play first base or pitch since, Sept. 15 being a Tuesday, the Browns have the day off.<\/p>\n
And now to more pressing matters for Ward and the Browns \u2014 the matter of stifling Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the high-octane Jacksonville offense.<\/p>\n
The Jaguars scored 474 points in 2025 \u2014 almost 200 more than the lethargic Browns offense (279) put on the board. Only the Patriots (490) and Bills (481) scored more in the AFC.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville won the AFC South title last year with a 13-4 record. Lawrence threw 29 touchdown passes. Parker Washington and Brian Thomas combined for 1,554 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put their players in positions to make plays, and that\u2019s the biggest thing,\u201d Ward said.\u00a0 \u201cWe just got to get tight and find a way to eliminate the explosive plays and do our job.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Lawrence) is a really good quarterback. He runs the show. He\u2019s able to make every throw on the field. Good at second-chance plays, so extending the play and being able to get the ball to his guys. We have to find a way to neutralize him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ward starts at left cornerback. Tyson Campbell starts on the right side.<\/p>\n
The Jaguars traded Campbell to the Browns for cornerback Greg Newsome on Oct. 8 last year. The Browns clearly won the trade. Campbell is starting for them. Newsome left Jacksonville in free agency for a one-year, $8 million contract with the Giants. Campbell is downplaying the revenge angle ahead of the opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t thought about it much, but when that time comes, I\u2019ll probably think about it,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be fun. It\u2019s a great way to start off the season, Just want to put our culture and our physicality on tape and show what we\u2019re about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Could Ward and Campbell emerge as one of the best cornerback tandems in the league? No cornerback is going to answer \u201cnot a chance\u201d when asked that question.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk is cheap,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cGod willing, if we stay healthy we can be very good, help this team win a lot of games. You just got to put it on tape, but I definitely feel like we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Browns at Jaguars<\/p>\n
When: 1 p.m., Sept. 13<\/p>\n
Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.<\/p>\n
TV: WOIO<\/p>\n
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