Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward is finding out his punishment this week over allegations he robbed L.A.-area businesses.
Luckily for him, he will avoid having to spend time in prison.
TMZ Sports reported that Ward has been enrolled in a mental health diversion instead.
Court records show a judge ordered the former running back to be in that program during a hearing on October 10th.
According to court documents, Derrick Ward will now have to comply with any mental health treatment recommendations from “Find Your Balance Center” and “Brain Health USA Center” for a period of two years.
Aside from that, he will also be unable to own or use any deadly weapons.
This was the best outcome for him since he was facing a lifetime in prison after prosecutors hit him with five felony robbery charges following claims he used force and fear to rob establishments.
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Tiki Barber, who played alongside Ward from 2004-06, was saddened to hear about him getting mixed up these issues when he first got arrested.
“It’s just sad to hear,” Barber told The Post. “He was from a rough environment and it felt like he was at a point in his life where he escaped it. It’s shocking because I feel like he got his life right.”
Derrick Ward Had a Memorable Football Career
Ward played for Fresno State from 1999 to 2000 before he was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft.
Derrick Ward played 8 seasons for the Giants, Texans, and Buccaneers.
He enjoyed his best season in the league one year after winning the Super Bowl when he rushed for 1,025 yards with the Giants.
He rushed for a career-high 1,025 yards and averaged 5.6 rushing yards per attempt in 2008, which landed him a four-year, $17 million contract with the Buccaneers.
Ward finished his career with 2,628 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.
