As the Heisman Trophy race heats up, one thing remains unwavering: Cam Ward’s biggest supporter is his mom, Patrice Ward. While analysts and critics debate his standing, Patrice is steadfast in her belief that her son, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, is destined for greatness.
“He is going to always be our Heisman winner,” Patrice declared in a heartfelt moment captured by the Hurricanes. Her and husband Calvin’s unwavering presence at every game has become a cherished ritual for the Ward family.
Ward’s rise to prominence, from his days at Incarnate Word to Washington State and now Miami, has been fueled by talent, grit, and the sacrifices of his family. “It’s important because he wants us there,” she explained, adding that seeing his parents in the stands reassures Cam of their support.
Critics do not forgive his mistakes
Despite his stellar stats this season-leading the nation with 3,494 passing yards and 32 touchdowns-the 22-year-old quarterback’s Heisman hopes took a hit after a tough loss to Georgia Tech.
In that game, Ward struggled under pressure from the Yellow Jackets’ defense, failing to convert a crucial fourth-and-3. The slip-up cost him favor with some analysts, including Joe DeLeone, who criticized Ward for not taking better control of the game. “You gotta lean on teams, you want to get that pass rush away,” DeLeone remarked.
Meanwhile, another insider, CJ Vogel, dismissed the Miami’s signal-caller entirely, declaring the Heisman race a two-man showdown between Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. “Miss me with Cam Ward,” Vogel quipped, fueling the narrative that Ward’s chances are dwindling.
His family supports him
Despite the criticism, Ward’s parents remain his rock. Even brief moments together-such as an hour before games-are cherished as they juggle travel and tight schedules to support their son.
With a Heisman win looking like a long shot, Cam Ward faces mounting pressure to prove his critics wrong. But for Patrice and Calvin, he’s already a champion, and they’ll continue cheering him on, win or lose. As Patrice said, “Every sacrifice has been worth it.”