Cam Ward shares dad's advice about playing in NFL: Don't 'f--k it up'

Cam Ward received some blunt advice from his father about getting the opportunity to play in the NFL.

The Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback told ESPN's Turron Davenport that his dad, Calvin, told him not to "f--k it up."

"(My dad) wouldn't let me take no for an answer," Ward said. "That's what kept me steady throughout the whole process knowing that I'll eventually get an offer, but he just constantly motivated me. He constantly told me the journey is never going to be easy."

Ward, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, was selected first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Calvin said it was unbelievable to hear commissioner Roger Goodell call out his son's name.

"Cameron going No. 1, that's still surreal to me, knowing how he got there," Calvin said. "It was like a dream knowing your son is the No. 1 quarterback."

Ward started 13 games at Miami last season, setting single-season school records for passing yards (4,313) and touchdowns (39).