Lewis Ward reste à long terme à Ottawa

10/15/2024 10:42 AM

Sometimes, kickers aren't fully appreciated until it's too late.

When the ball is on the way toward the uprights on a 50-yard kick with the game on the line, it's a bad time to be worried about employing the right person. The difference of mere fractions of inches determines whether a kick is made or missed, and who wins and loses.

Thankfully for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, they've been spared of the game of musical chairs that finding a reliable kicker can be, thanks to Lewis Ward.

Everything to be said about Ward has been uttered many times before. Whether it's the story of being a security guard at REDBLACKS games, being undrafted, or the professional football record 69-consecutive made kicks, Ottawa is no stranger to the Kingston native's story.

On Tuesday, the REDBLACKS announced that the marriage would continue, with Ward inking a three-year extension, to remain in the nation's capital through 2027.

"Ottawa was the first and only team that gave me a chance," Ward said. "I’ve had a very successful career in Ottawa, and I want to continue to do so. We have a great organization here, my family is close, I live in town, and Ottawa is pretty much home since I came to school here."

"Everything points in the direction of believing in Ottawa as much as they believed in me, and seeing what we can do here as a city."

"Leaving would be very, very difficult. I think having the belief that we’re going to be doing the right things moving forward is key, there’s no point in listening to any other team at this point."

One of Ward's goals is to build a legacy in Ottawa. Many would argue he's done more than enough to do that, but his definition is a little different than most. He wants to be remembered as the guy who never settled, and pushed not only himself, but his team closer to a championship.

"Really, truly, it comes down to my inner competitive athlete," Ward said. "I'm still very competitive, because the more that I do my job at a high level, the more success we can have as a team."

A few days before signing his new deal, Ward checked in on his own profile on the CFL website. Generally speaking, his numbers are pretty great, but still, some things haunt him.

"There was one stat in there, it was 83 percent on field goals in 2021, and that's just kind of disappointing," Ward said. "Anything under 85, 88 percent is not acceptable for me. Being close to that 90 percent this year and in previous years, that’s what I expected myself, and I know that’s what the coaching staff expects."

Through his career, Ward has kicked around 88 percent, even with the 2021 struggles, but so far, this season has been his second-best in his professional life. Having made 48 of his 54 attempts in 2024, he's poised to set a career-high in makes and attempts.

Much of that success has been thanks to a new offseason plan. Ward came into training camp in much better shape than previous years, and has parlayed that with a new sense of dedication to his craft off the field to remain consistent at the age of 32.

"I found a gym in Kingston, and now I’ve kind of become family in that gym the last couple of years," Ward said. "This year was a little different, obviously, with the shoulder injury. I wasn’t able to do some of the things that I wanted to do, but here in Ottawa, I'm very fortunate. »

"I get to work at the University of Ottawa dome in the off-season, and I get to train here in the gym. I think it’s just a bit of a change of mindset that before, I might have been a little bit intimidated about changing some of the things that do in an offseason, but changing and evolving is what has gotten me here this year."

Around football, you see kickers going strong into their late 30s. In the NFL, it's guys like Chris Boswell, Nick Folk, and Matt Prater, and in the CFL, Sean Whyte and Rene Paredes continue to be pace-setters, but 34-year-old Lirim Hajrullahu has joined the party in 2024.

Though it's not uncommon, it does take a lot of work to be effective as the years go along. That's a commitment Ward has already thought about.

"A lot of people talk about nutrition and things like that, making sure that you’re pretty on point, tweaking that here and there, and finding out what works for you," Ward said. "We have people come in at the beginning of the year and have conversations with us about certain things, and maybe the next step is to see someone professionally."

"You get the tests, you see what your body absorbs well, and what it doesn’t need. Maybe that’s my next step this offseason. But I think taking care of your body, staying mentally confident, and things like that will all go a long way."

In typical fashion, Ward shares the credit for his success with his peers, particularly punter Richie Leone and long-snapper Peter Adjey, but extends it to his blockers, coaches, and management.

"I wouldn’t be where I am today without those guys," Ward said. "The relationship I have with Richie now, both outside and inside of football, is something that not a lot of players get. We’re fortunate enough to be able to work together and have the same mindset and same goals, but we’re very different in our own ways, and I think that’s what meshes us together so well."

"We’ve gone through a couple of different long snappers, but having those guys every year that take it very seriously and professionally makes me a little more relaxed on the field. Having Peter come in this year has been a great addition for us."

With the contract talks out the way, Ward's focus is squarely on the rest of the season, where the REDBLACKS have punched a ticket to the dance with three games left to play.

"It’s a bit of a blur, but to kick in the playoffs just to have a chance at winning and seeing what we’ll do next is very exciting," Ward said. "I think you saw last year that anything is possible for anybody. »

"We’re excited to finish out the year. Getting hot at the right time is very important, and hopefully, we’re working towards getting that on track and then into the playoffs and riding some momentum. Hopefully, we’ll be indoors in Vancouver in November."