Former Super Bowl champ Derrick Ward pictured in court as he pleads NOT guilty to a string of alleged robberies
- Derrick Ward has pleaded not guilty to a series of alleged robberies in LA
- The ex-NFL star was arrested in December after allegedly robbing gas stations
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward appeared in court Thursday after being arrested for a series of alleged robberies.
Ward, who was part of the Giants team that defeated Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII in 2008, was arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Photos obtained exclusively by Mail Sport show the 43-year-old wearing a gray long-sleeved jersey as he enters a plea of not guilty.
He was seen crossing his arms as he sat next to his attorney, Zachary C. Begle, and holding his hands over his face.
Ward was arrested last December in connection with the robberies of several businesses, including gas stations, TMZ reported at the time.
Derrick Ward appeared in court last year after his arrest over a series of alleged robberies
The former New York Giants running back pleaded not guilty less than five months after his arrest
He crossed his arms as he sat next to his attorney, Zachary C. Begle, in the courthouse
Ward, pictured in 2004, played eight seasons in the NFL from 2004 to 2011
Police said the former athlete did not use a gun in any of his alleged robberies, but he is accused of using “violence” and “fear” to get money from the stores.
His bail was set at $250,000.
Ward played eight seasons in the NFL between 2004 and 2011 he spent time with the New York Jets, the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans.
He was the Jets’ seventh-round pick Draft in 2004, before signing a $17 million contract with the Buccaneers half a decade later.
The charges are said to be related to the robbery of several businesses, including gas stations
Ward, selected in the 2004 draft, was arrested in December and his bail was set at $250,000
Throughout his career, Ward played in 93 games, totaling 2,628 yards and finishing with 15 touchdowns.
Although he was part of the Super Bowl-winning team in 2008, the embattled former athlete was sidelined during the season finale due to a broken left leg.
“(It was) one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever had,” he says told the New York Post at the time.
“To finally be able to do something in the league and contribute to the season we had and not be able to play in the Super Bowl is something I always dreamed of as a little kid,” he continued.
“I was just excited that my teammates gave me a Super Bowl ring.”
The former Super Bowl champion allegedly used “violence” and “fear,” TMZ reported at the time
Ward played for four NFL teams over eight seasons between 2004 and 2011
He was part of the Giants team that defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII