Browns CB Ward to pay bills for 21 in need

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward plans to pay bills for 21 service-care workers and small-business owners who've been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Ward, the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft, selected 21 recipients -- his jersey number -- who apply to his foundation, called Make Them Know Your Name.

"Whether that's rent or mortgage or just groceries for your family, I want someone to breathe a little easier knowing that's taken care of this month," Ward said in a statement. Ward said people will submit an application with their explanation for requesting assistance.

Ward's rookie contract is worth a total of $29.165 million, including a $19.2 million signing bonus. "It's important to me that people know they're not alone in this," said Ward, who was born and raised in the state and attended Ohio State University. "We're all in this together. That's the Ohio way. It's unique for me because the community I'm fortunate enough to play for is the community that helped raise me my entire life. So to help your neighbors in a time when they might be struggling is just a no-brainer."

--Field Level Media

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