Greg Ward Bio
Gregory Mario Ward Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver, born on July 12, 1995, in Tyler, Texas. He played college football at the University of Houston, where he lined up at both quarterback and wide receiver before eventually settling into the receiver role at the next level. After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ward built a long professional career through practice squads, a championship season in Philadelphia, a brief AAF stint, and a return to the Eagles’ active roster.
Ward is best known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he earned a Super Bowl LII championship ring as a member of the practice squad and later developed into a reliable depth receiver. He has also spent time with the San Antonio Commanders, the Indianapolis Colts, and the San Antonio Brahmas, and currently plays for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League.
Early Life and Background
Gregory Mario Ward Jr. was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, the youngest of several siblings in a close-knit household. He grew up in a modest ranch house, with his father, Gregory Ward Sr., working as a truck driver and a Pentecostal pastor. The family background helped shape his work ethic and the grounded personality he has carried throughout his football career.
Ward attended John Tyler High School in his hometown, where he starred as a two-way player at quarterback and wide receiver. As a senior, he passed for 4,202 yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 861 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground, earning Texas High School Football Player of the Year honors. As a junior, he had thrown for 3,596 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,212 yards with 18 touchdowns, and he had earlier played wide receiver as a sophomore, posting 53 receptions for 667 yards and eight touchdowns. Rated as a three-star recruit, he committed to the University of Houston to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Ward arrived at Houston in 2013 as a true freshman, appearing in 10 games as both a backup quarterback and a wide receiver. He completed passes for 310 yards with a touchdown, added 176 rushing yards and two scores, and chipped in 95 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, showing the dual-threat skill set that had marked his high school days.
During his sophomore season, Ward opened the year as a starting wide receiver with 15 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown before taking over as the starting quarterback in October. He started the final eight games, completing 177 of 263 passes for 2,010 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 573 yards and six more scores. The experience of playing both positions at a high level prepared him for the position change that would eventually define his professional career.
Greg Ward Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Ward’s college career at Houston produced several major awards. He was named the MVP of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game after rushing for 148 yards and two touchdowns. On December 31, 2015, he led the Cougars to a Peach Bowl victory over No. 9 Florida State and was named the game’s Offensive Player of the Game, finishing that season with 2,828 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, six interceptions, and 1,108 rushing yards with 21 rushing touchdowns.
As a senior in 2016, Ward passed for 3,557 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, and added 518 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores. He earned Second-team All-AAC honors in both 2015 and 2016, along with the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award in 2015, honoring the top college player from the state of Texas.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2017–2023)
Ward signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2017. After being waived early in the season, he was signed to the practice squad, where he remained when the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. He signed a reserve/future contract in February 2018 and bounced between the active roster and practice squad that year.
After a brief spring with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football, where he recorded 22 receptions for 214 yards, Ward returned to the Eagles in 2019. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions and later caught his first career touchdown in a Week 15 win over the Washington Redskins, finishing that year with 28 catches for 254 yards. In 2020, he set career highs with 53 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns, including the first career touchdown pass caught from rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts. His role shrank in 2021 after the team drafted DeVonta Smith, but he still contributed seven receptions for 95 yards and three touchdowns while occasionally lining up as a passer in trick plays.
Indianapolis Colts and San Antonio Brahmas Era (2024–2025)
Ward signed with the Indianapolis Colts on August 14, 2024, but was released eleven days later. On November 21, 2024, he joined the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, looking to continue his career in the spring league.
In the Brahmas system, Ward has continued to contribute as a veteran presence and reliable target. His experience as both a quarterback and a wide receiver has made him a flexible weapon for the coaching staff.
Dallas Renegades Era (2026–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Ward was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft, giving him a fresh opportunity to compete for a featured role. He arrived in Dallas with significant professional experience, including Super Bowl pedigree and years of NFL production.
The Renegades added Ward as part of their effort to build a competitive offense around experienced playmakers. He will look to translate his Philadelphia production into a leading role in the spring football landscape.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ward relies on quickness, route precision, and reliable hands rather than elite size, and his background as a college quarterback helps him read coverages and adjust his routes on the fly. His comfort operating from multiple alignments makes him a useful chess piece for creative offensive coordinators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ward’s signature moment came as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad during their Super Bowl LII victory, followed by his first career NFL touchdown against Washington in 2019 and his role in catching Jalen Hurts’ first career touchdown pass in 2020. He has also earned the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and two Second-team All-AAC selections, marking him as one of the most decorated college players in Houston history.
Greg Ward Career Wins
Ward’s professional résumé is highlighted by team and personal achievements rather than a long list of individual game victories. He earned a championship ring as part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII roster and built a reputation as a dependable practice squad contributor and rotational pass catcher. He also earned all-conference and national awards during his college career at Houston.
NFL and UFL Highlights
Ward’s most memorable NFL moment was his role on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII-winning team during the 2017 season. His first career touchdown came in a 37–27 win over the Washington Redskins in 2019, and he caught the first touchdown pass thrown by Jalen Hurts later that same season. He has totaled 88 receptions for 768 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns across his NFL career.
Most recently, Ward was selected in the 2026 UFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades after spending time with the San Antonio Brahmas. He will look to add to his highlight reel in a leading offensive role.
Other Wins and Performances
Ward’s most notable performance outside the NFL came in the 2015 Peach Bowl, where he led Houston past No. 9 Florida State and took home Offensive Player of the Game honors. He also earned MVP of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game and won the prestigious Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award that same season.
Greg Ward Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ward’s family ties are deeply rooted in Tyler, Texas, where he was raised alongside several siblings. His father, Gregory Ward Sr., worked as a truck driver and a Pentecostal pastor, and the family lived in a modest ranch house during Greg’s early years. The strong family foundation has often been credited with shaping his discipline and toughness on the field.
Personal Life
Ward’s personal life has generally been kept out of the spotlight, and he is known primarily for his work on the field. His career has taken him from Tyler to Houston, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Indianapolis, and now Dallas as he continues to play professional football.
2025 Season Performance
Ward’s 2025 campaign was spent primarily with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League after joining the team in November 2024. He served as an experienced target in the Brahmas’ receiving corps, offering a veteran presence in a young league. His track record of NFL production gave him a leadership role within the offensive unit.
Heading into 2025, Ward focused on building chemistry with his quarterbacks and providing reliable play in key situations. His positional flexibility, born from his college quarterback background, allowed the Brahmas to use him in a variety of formations.
His consistent production helped position him for selection in the 2026 UFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades. With the move to Dallas, Ward now enters 2025 in a new offensive system and with a fresh opportunity to expand his role as a pass catcher and team leader.