GREEN BAY to NASHVILLE – Cam Ward hopped on a private jet on Friday morning, and traveled to his new NFL home in Music City.
Just over 12 hours after being selected with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, Ward was operating on 1½ hours of sleep, but he was still smiling.
Ward even cracked a joke just south of Terre Haute, Indiana, when the plane made a big drop while going through turbulence, and the 10 passengers on board – including his mom, dad, two sisters and girlfriend – all clutched their seats while letting out an audible gasp.
"They take it off autopilot?," Ward said, laughing himself. "That was crazy, huh? I saw everyone's faces, and that was the funny part. I was hoping my mom was OK back there."
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Ward is in Tennessee, and ready to get rolling with the Titans following an emotional night.
"It's been good, getting a chance to live in the moment, and now sitting on Miss Amy's plane," Ward said. "I am happy I finally have a job now, and I'm not unemployed any more."
Yes, Ward got the job, and he hit the ground running on Friday morning.
His day started with a 7 a.m. interview with Good Morning America, after sleeping from 4 a.m. to 5:30.
"But that's really all I need," Ward said. "I'm good."
The first thought that went through Ward's mind when he woke up?
"It's real," he said with a smile. "I loved every moment of this draft, and I'm going to love what's next.
"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time. There's a lot of people in the building I've met, and now I'm hoping some of my teammates will be in the building so I can meet them. I want to show those guys I am ready to work."
Ward, and his family, had been hoping this would be the end result in the NFL Draft process.
Calvin Ward, Cam's father, was wearing a Ward No.1 jersey under tan sports jacket. His mother, Patrice, was decked out in a Titans pullover, with the words "Cam's Mom" stitched on the chest. She was also sporting sparkly shoes designed in Titans colors, with her son's name on them. Sisters Chantel and Aaliyah were also reppin' the Titans, with shoes and hats. Ward's girlfriend, Nailah, was embracing his new team as well as they opened a pack of playing cards with the Titans logo.
"I have a real small circle, but a good circle," Ward said. "And I'm just excited they can experience this with me."
Calvin and Patrice Ward sat across from their son on the flight to Nashville, and were beaming with pride.
"It's surreal," Calvin Ward said. "It's been a long journey, but every curve we've had to go through, every stop sign we've had to stop at, it led us to this, and it's all been worth it."
The Wards attended all 57 of their son's games in college, from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami.
Just before the plane touched down in Nashville, they were already looking forward to learning about their son's new home, and seeing him son play in the NFL, for the Titans.
When Cam Ward got off the plane, he jumped in an SUV headed to Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Ward took part in a press conference today, when Houston Oilers legend Warren Moon granted him permission to wear his No.1 jersey, which had previously been retired.
It was part of a marathon day
"We've prayed about this," Patrice Ward said. "Tennessee is the right place for Cameron. I prayed about it, and started manifesting on it, and I started ordering (Titans) stuff. God always leads us in the right direction, and he led us to Tennessee. And we're all so happy about it."
Tennessee Titans QB Cameron Ward was in Green Bay to hear his name called as the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Miami quarterback Cameron Ward in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Tyler Kaufman/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Tyler Kaufman/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward arrives prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Logan Bowles/2025 Logan Bowles
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward poses on the red carpet prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Logan Bowles/2025 Logan Bowles
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Miami quarterback Cameron Ward on the red carpet at the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Tyler Kaufman/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Tyler Kaufman/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward signs autographs prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Logan Bowles/2025 Logan Bowles
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Commissioner Roger Goodell interact during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League
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A detail view of Cameron Ward football and helmet in the green room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward throws the ball in the green room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward looks on prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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The name card of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is seen prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward poses for a photo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward looks on in the green room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward talks on the phone in the green room during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward celebrates after being selected first overall during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward celebrates after being selected first overall during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward celebrates after being selected first overall during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Lauren Leigh Bacho/2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward looks in the mirror during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward adjusts his hat during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward puts on a hat after being chosen by the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward is selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Perry Knotts/2025 Perry Knotts
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward is selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League
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Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
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The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
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The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
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The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward speaks with NFL Network reporter Jamie Erdahl during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League
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The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
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The 2025 NFL Draft is held on April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
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