Senior defensive back T.J. Ward came back from a high ankle sprain last week he sustained against the Boise State Broncos on Sept. 3 in a big way against Washington on Oct. 24. The hard-hitting safety finished with five tackles and he said he’s just glad to be back. The Daily Emerald caught up with him after Wednesday’s practice.
Oregon Daily Emerald: Where you grew up, what did you like to do for fun?
T.J. Ward: Shoot, I’ve been playing football and running track all my life, so I really haven’t had much spare time. It was either football season or track season. But when I was younger, I used to ride my bike a lot and played video games — pretty much what any little kid does. But when you’re not playing sports, you’re pretty much tired.
ODE: What was your favorite video game?
TW: Madden.
ODE: Favorite team on Madden?
TW: Each year is different. My favorite team is the Niners, but I don’t play much with them much because they have pretty much sucked the last 10 years. I like the Ravens on Madden.
ODE: In track what did you run?
TW: I ran the 100-meter hurdles, the 400 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 meters, 4×400 meters.
ODE: What was your best event?

TW: 100-meter hurdles.
ODE: Outside of sports in general, what is an interest of yours?
TW: I like cars. I’m not really a car person, per se, but I like cars. But in my spare time I’m relaxing. If I get a chance to relax, that’s what I’m going to do. If I’m not studying or watching film or practicing or training to get better, I’m relaxing.
ODE: What’s your major?
TW: Sociology.

ODE: What do you want to do with that?
TW: I dunno. Maybe work with kids. Not necessarily social work or anything, but maybe coaching or teaching. I dunno.
ODE: Do you have aspirations to play in the NFL?
TW: Definitely. That’s my first and foremost goal after graduating (which I already did). I love the game, but we all have a goal. We all do things for reasons, not just to do them.
ODE: I see you have a few tattoos. What do they mean?
TW: I have Todd Doxey and Terrance Kelly, who are two of my friends who passed. On my left arm, I have my brother and my sister and my mom and my dad. I have a heart on my chest that says “Momma’s boy.” I have my grandma who passed on my right pec. … Everything that I have signifies an event in my life. My family, Terrance Kelly, my mom, my grandma. Just important things in my life.
ODE: On the field, you’ve been known for your big hits. What gets you fired up?
TW: Just seeing the other team gets me fired up. I really don’t have to have too much. Just being out there competing fires me up. I’m a competitor by nature and when I see the other team, I’m like, all right let’s go. I don’t like you at all, no friendships no kinships. We’re going out here to win the game.
ODE: Why do you hit so hard?
TW: I lead with my shoulder. It depends in what situation. If I’m in the open field, then I’m just going to go for the tackle, but if we’re in close, tight quarters, I’m just going to go in and see what happens. … If I can make a big hit, I will. But I go for the tackle first.
ODE: When I say Halloween night and USC, what do you think of?
TW: Ducks singing the fight song in the locker room
afterwards.
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