T.J. Ward experienced a breakout season with the Browns in 2013. So the Broncos, a team that hasn't had the strongest secondary over the last few years, have to be excited about last month's free-agency signing of the Pro Bowl safety.
Now Denver hopes off-field issues aren't about to diminish that excitement. Police issued a warrant for Ward's arrest Thursday in connection to an apparent altercation at a Denver strip club on May 9.
T.J. Ward (AP Photo)
The Broncos issued a statement saying, "We have been aware of this issue and will continue to review all of the facts."
Court records show the disturbance happened at PT's All Nude. Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson did not know details of the incident but described it as "some type of disturbance at a nightclub." He said Ward will be charged with a misdemeanor count of assault.
The reason for the issuance weeks after the alleged incident is currently unknown and, as CBS4 Denver's Vic Lombardi points out, Ward may have done nothing wrong.
Regarding TJ Ward: Could be nothing. Could be something. We'll see. Broncos had a rough offseason last year and made it to the Super Bowl.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) May 22, 2014 .@DenverPolice tell Maass re: warrant for #Broncos T.J. Ward: "We have been working with him to turn himself in." More on CBS4 at 5pm.
— Tim Wieland (@CBS4Tim) May 22, 2014The Broncos signed the 27-year-old Oregon product to a four-year contract for $22.5 million — 22.5 million reasons the Broncos hope this incident is in fact nothing.
"He's a young, explosive strong safety who is going to bring a lot of energy and toughness to our secondary," Broncos vice president John Elway said in a statement after the signing.
Ward is known for his hard-hitting nature as run-stopping safety. He's the man responsible for ending Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's 2013 season with a shot to the knees — Gronk tore his ACL and MCL on the play.
In four NFL seasons, Ward has accumulated 232 tackles, five interceptions and five forced fumbles.
Contributing: The Associated Press