Jimmie Ward

Experience: 11 years

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195 lbs

College: Northern Illinois

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Year

Biography

Named the 49ers Hazeltine Iron Man Award winner for the 2015 season. The award is named for former linebacker Matt Hazeltine, a 13-year performer who played more seasons at linebacker than any other 49ers player. Known for his durability and dedication, Hazeltine passed away in 1987 from ALS, and Bill Walsh established the award in his honor that year. The award is given annually to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player as voted upon by the defensive coaches.
On the day he was selected by the 49ers in the 1st round of the 2014 NFL Draft, drove three hours to New Orleans to purchase a new purse for his mother's birthday. He said, "I never really bought her anything expensive, because you're a kid. Growing up you would write a card, color a card or just buy a card or simple flowers. That's the most I ever did. She likes purses, so I just decided to get her a purse. It really didn't matter how much it cost, you just wanted to see that smile." His act of generosity shows his true character. "I'm not a selfish person. I just like to see and make other people smile too. It makes me feel better as a person."
Was best friends growing up with 49ers 2015 2nd round draft pick, S Jaquiski Tartt. The two were teammates at W.P. Davidson High School in Mobile, AL.

Named the 49ers Hazeltine Iron Man Award winner for the 2015 season. The award is named for former linebacker Matt Hazeltine, a 13-year performer who played more seasons at linebacker than any other 49ers player. Known for his durability and dedication, Hazeltine passed away in 1987 from ALS, and Bill Walsh established the award in his honor that year. The award is given annually to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player as voted upon by the defensive coaches.
On the day he was selected by the 49ers in the 1st round of the 2014 NFL Draft, drove three hours to New Orleans to purchase a new purse for his mother's birthday. He said, "I never really bought her anything expensive, because you're a kid. Growing up you would write a card, color a card or just buy a card or simple flowers. That's the most I ever did. She likes purses, so I just decided to get her a purse. It really didn't matter how much it cost, you just wanted to see that smile." His act of generosity shows his true character. "I'm not a selfish person. I just like to see and make other people smile too. It makes me feel better as a person."
Was best friends growing up with 49ers 2015 2nd round draft pick, S Jaquiski Tartt. The two were teammates at W.P. Davidson High School in Mobile, AL.

Ward and his teammates surprised guests of the CityTeam Men's Program and House of Grace on November 20, 2018, at Levi's Stadium. The group believed they were just taking a tour of the stadium, but they were in fact joining the 49ers players for a night full of exciting events. The guests received a makeover and haircut, selected a new outfit from Dockers, snapped a new headshot and then shared a Thanksgiving dinner with the 49ers players.
Growing up in Mobile, AL, Ward knew when to separate himself from others in his neighborhood. Said Ward, "From where I come from, the neighborhood that I grew up in, a lot of people don't make it out. There's a lot of stuff. They either flunk out of school, end up having a child so they have to drop out of school and raise that child, or end up going to jail. It really just made me want to do something more than what my peers were doing." Ward would later surround himself with positive influences.
Ward's family is no stranger to professional athletics. He is the cousin of former NBA player, Caron Butler. Butler, 10 years older than Ward, watched him grow up in Racine, WI, prior to Ward's move to Mobile, AL.
While playing youth football, Ward went by the nickname 'Neko' and was teammates with former Alabama QB AJ McCarron with the Mobile Youth Football's Municipal Raiders. He played linebacker for the team that won multiple Youth Bowl Championships in Mobile.

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