MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2020

By: Representative Porter To: Rules

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21

1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING 2 MISSISSIPPI'S NATIVE SON AND THE 'S 3 EXTRAORDINAIRE, , UPON A SUCCESSFUL 4 SEASON WITH THE AND BECOMING A LIV 5 CHAMPION. 6 WHEREAS, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward has 7 served as a distinguished athlete and role model throughout his

8 illustrious football career of demonstrating unmitigated athletic 9 prowess and dedicated service as a remarkable football player and 10 source of inspiration, and now, he joins an elite fraternity of 11 premier Mississippi athletes who have had the distinct honor of 12 hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy high in the air after being 13 crowned "Super Bowl Champions"; and 14 WHEREAS, the road to Charvarius Ward's success has not been

15 easy, as he has been forced to overcome several obstacles, 16 including hip surgery, to get from McComb, Mississippi, to Miami 17 Gardens, Florida, but his path and his future have always been 18 destined for greatness; and

H. C. R. No. 21 *HR43/R1407* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 20/HR43/R1407 PAGE 1 (ENK\EW) 19 WHEREAS, Charvarius, one of only a few introverted 20 cornerback's in the National Football League, only had three years 21 of high school at McComb High School, as he went from being a 22 freshman to a junior, skipping the sophomore slump, but as a 23 self-proclaimed "momma's boy" and proud of it, he did not play 24 football until his senior year, yet he recorded 48 tackles, one

25 and received all-region honors; and 26 WHEREAS, for any American gladiator on the 100-yard plane, 27 the pinnacle of excellence lies in the ability to capture the 28 coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, and for Charvarius Ward, that quest 29 began by accumulating 64 tackles, four , seven passes 30 defended, one forced and one blocked kick during his tenure 31 at Hinds Community College and 74 tackles, two interceptions, 21

32 passes defended, one hurry, one fumble recovery, three 33 tackles for a loss and one sack at Middle Tennessee State 34 University; and 35 WHEREAS, after a stellar performance at his pro day at Middle 36 Tennessee State University, Charvarius was signed by the Dallas

37 Cowboys, but on August 30, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs traded 38 offensive guard to the in exchange

39 for Charvarius, initially devastating the young, shy player; and 40 WHEREAS, Charvarius thought his dreams of playing in the NFL, 41 much less for a Super Bowl, were dead, but his mind was put at 42 ease after a phone call with Chiefs' Brett Veach, 43 who assured him he would make the Chiefs' team, and after the

H. C. R. No. 21 *HR43/R1407* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 20/HR43/R1407 PAGE 2 (ENK\EW) 44 coaches determined the best methods to motivate and drill 45 Charvarius, he became a destructive force for the defense, ruining 46 pass plays and creating turnovers for the first time in his 47 career; and 48 WHEREAS, Charvarius Ward was cemented as one of the best 49 young in the league on October 13, 2019, when he

50 nabbed a one-handed interception thrown by rising star Deshaun 51 Watson to legendary DeAndre Hopkins, and since that 52 day, his understanding of route concepts has deepened and his 53 technique and on-field communication has improved greatly; and 54 WHEREAS, throughout the Chiefs' rise to championship status, 55 Charvarius has started in all 18 games and contributed 79 tackles, 56 four takeaways and 11 pass deflections, and during the big game,

57 which was a test of the true Chiefs' stamina, as it consisted of 58 brutal physicality in the trenches and back and forth scores that 59 kept fans on the edge of their seats until the last down was 60 played, Charvarius Ward made a huge impact, as he recorded four 61 tackles to help defeat the indomitable ; and

62 WHEREAS, the Kansas City Chiefs have truly benefitted from 63 the unrivaled skill and competence Charvarius provides to the

64 Chiefs' football program, as success from the fields and tales of 65 his accomplishments will forever echo throughout the stands at 66 with the beginning of each new season; and 67 WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize 68 and commend the accomplishments of Mississippi athletes,

H. C. R. No. 21 *HR43/R1407* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 20/HR43/R1407 PAGE 3 (ENK\EW) 69 especially those such as Charvarius Ward, who continuously 70 demonstrates the qualities and characteristics of a remarkably 71 talented and humble professional athlete and who has brought honor 72 to McComb High School, Hinds Community College and to the State of 73 Mississippi: 74 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

75 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 76 THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mississippi's 77 native son and the National Football League's cornerback 78 extraordinaire, Charvarius Ward, upon a successful season with the 79 Kansas City Chiefs and becoming a Super Bowl LIV Champion, and 80 extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future 81 endeavors.

82 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 83 furnished to Charvarius Ward, the President of Hinds Community 84 College, the Principal of McComb High School and to the members of 85 the Capitol Press Corps.

H. C. R. No. 21 *HR43/R1407* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 20/HR43/R1407 ST: Charvarius Ward; commend and congratulate PAGE 4 (ENK\EW) for being a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl LIV Champions.