In football, as a senior, he posted 1,100 rushing yards, 973 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns, was an All-Riverside County choice, won All-CIF honors, was the Team Co/MVP, and was named the Sun Belt League Offensive MVP.

His Fresno State career ended when he was again ruled ineligible to play in 2001 and 2002 due to academics.

Ward was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft with the 235th overall pick.

Because of their success in the backfield during the 2008 season, Ward and his teammates Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw were jokingly referred to as Earth (Jacobs), Wind (Ward) and Fire (Bradshaw).

[3] On December 21, 2008, Ward led the Giants' rushing attack with 215 rushing yards in a 34–28 overtime victory over the Carolina Panthers to clinch homefield advantage throughout the 2009 NFL Playoffs.

On December 18, 2023, Ward was arrested in North Hollywood on suspicion of robbery.

Ward was being held in custody by the Los Angeles Police Department in lieu of $250,000 bail.