Former NFL star Derrick Ward arrested suspicion California robberies

Former Super Bowl winner Derrick Ward arrested for robbing California businesses. No details released. Still in custody with $250,000 bail.

Derrick Ward, a former NFL player and Super Bowl winner, has been arrested on suspicion of robbing multiple businesses in California. The 43-year-old, who won a championship ring with the New York Giants, was taken into custody by Los Angeles police on Monday. He is accused of robbing at least five businesses, including petrol stations, but it is reported that he did not use a gun in any of the robberies. Additional details about the alleged crimes have not been disclosed.

As of Tuesday, Mr. Ward remains in custody with bail set at $250,000. He grew up in Southern California's Riverside County before beginning his NFL career with the New York Jets in 2004. Despite being cut from the team before playing in a regular season game, he went on to have an eight-season journeyman career, playing for the Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans.

One of the highlights of Mr. Ward's career was winning Super Bowl XLII with the Giants in 2008, although he was unable to play in the game due to a broken leg. His best NFL season was in 2008 when he rushed for 1,025 yards on 182 carries with two touchdowns. In 2009, he signed a four-year, $17 million contract with the Buccaneers but was cut the following year and joined the Texans.

Throughout his 93-game NFL career, Mr. Ward accumulated 2,628 rushing yards on 551 attempts and scored 12 touchdowns. The former NFL player's arrest has come as a surprise to many, and the details surrounding the alleged robberies have raised questions about his post-football life.