The price of celebrity and a big-dollar NFL contract for Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Cam Ward is apparently being paid, in part, by his family. They have been the target of “threats, harassment, and bullying,” according to his sister.
Chantel Ward says she is one of the targets because her brother is obviously not playing up to the expectations of being the team’s 2025 first-round Draft pick.
She laid bare her feelings on the issue on Monday — not coincidentally after Ward struggled in the winless Titans’ 12-7 loss at home to the New York Giants.
“The fact I even have to post this is diabolical,” Ward, the player’s 27-year-old older sister, posted on her Instagram account.
IS CYBERBULLYING HIDING IN YOUR CHILD’S GROUP CHAT?
“People see the football games. They see the wins, the losses, the interceptions, the touchdowns, the press conferences and everything that happens on the field. What they don’t see is what comes with it for the people who love these players when the game is over.”
What typically happens is the families of well-paid players who were drafted first overall, as Ward was, live a privileged life.
But there’s more, according to Chantel Ward. Because that life has its obstacles and major concerns.
And getting online threats has apparently become one of those for the Wards.
“After games, people come directly to my DMs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with threats, hate, bullying, personal attacks, and disrespect toward me and my family – all over football,” she wrote.
Ward made the point that it is fair to be critical of players because that’s part of the sport. Play good, all good.
Play badly, there is fallout.
Everyone understands that.
“Criticize the game,” Ward wrote. “Criticize a play. Be frustrated with your team. That’s sports, and I completely understand that. But seeking out a player’s sister, parents, or other family members to personally attack them because you’re upset about what happened on a football field is something completely different.
“Cam is a quarterback to y’all. He’s entertainment on Sundays. To me, that’s my little brother. Somebody I’ve loved, protected, supported, and watched work for his entire life.
SOME TITANS PLAYERS ARRIVE AT THEIR GAME SUNDAY AGAINST THE EAGLES LOOKING RIDICULOUS
“So when people come to my page or into my messages is disrespecting him, me or my family, and then tell me, ‘Don’t take it personal’ – how exactly am I supposed to take it?
“And trust me, the screenshots I share are only a fraction of what comes through. There’s so much that happens outside of those football games that people will never see.”
Ward shared a screenshot on her story of someone who answered and said her brother “shouldn’t play like a f——-g r — —d and people would come in here and congratulate you.”
Ward did not share a post proving the family has received threats, but she made the allegation that she’s flooded by them.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
“Criticize football all you want,” she wrote. “Criticize performance. Criticize the decisions. That comes with the territory.
“But threats, harassment, bullying, and attacking someone’s family will never be just part of the game.”
One more thing: If the Wards are indeed enduring threats online and are afraid those might manifest where they live, they should contact authorities.
At minimum, the quarterback should alert the Titans.
It’s unclear if that has happened. The Titans did not immediately respond to a request for comment.