Cleveland's Denzel Ward Responds to His AFC North Rival the Bengals: It's On!

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find And so, the NFL Training Camp Tour continues and so does the build around the 2022 season.... Earlier in the week, we made a Pivot stop in Cincinnati and the Bengals wide receiver trio had a message for their AFC North rivals, well one player in particular...so we headed across Ohio and sat down with Cleveland's million dollar man to see what he had to say. Browns' cornerback Denzel Ward, the league's highest paid defensive back and one of the most elite, heard the message loud and clear and his response: "Well, you see what I did that game (against the Bengals) so it makes sense." Ward, known for being a man of few words, has allowed his on field play do the talking for him and is ready for the Browns organization to be on a different path of success heading into this season. Circling the Bengals on their schedule is a match up the Browns' DBs look forward to each year. With talent on both sides of the ball, Ward is letting the world know, the Cleveland Browns are not the same team people think they are still. Tuning out the noise and distractions that have plagued the franchise from losing seasons to coaching changes to Baker Mayfield drama to most recently the DeShaun Watson acquisition.. Ward is speaking out on the renewed locker room camaraderie and leadership he brings to the team. By showing support to one another and trust in the organization's choices, Ward feels the team has become a closer unit which will ultimately help them play better, especially behind new quarterback DeShaun Watson, whenever he takes the field this season. Ryan asks about the loss of Denzel's father and how it impacted his life and Denzel opens up about how he almost walked away from the game of football all together and was ready to give everything up in 2016. "Make Them Know Your Name" a message his father instilled in him, is also the name of his foundation as a tribute to the legacy his family name brings and a reminder on how to treat people always. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:01Speaker 00

  This episode is brought to you by Michelob Ultra. Good times mean competitions between you and your friends. Like seeing who can throw some pigskin the farthest, or rush the field the fastest. Winner gets an ultra. Because it's not just a superior light beer, it's also giving fans superior access to their favorite sporting events. Superior is worth playing for. Visit michelobultra.com/superioraccess to enter. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 Anheuser Busch InBev Michelob Ultra Beer, St. Louis, Missouri.

• 0:30Fred Taylor?

  Gotta love these kids, man. Cincy's big. Hey, it's Chris. Hey, what's up, man? All is good? Appreciate you guys. All is well?

• 0:41Ryan Clark?

  Coach, how you doing? Ryan, it's a pleasure, coach. Coach, you're doing amazing.

• 0:45Fred Taylor?

  Everybody getting younger, man.

• 0:47Ryan Clark?

  You're doing an amazing job, man. The way, the way, like, just love watching the way you coach offense, man. You're doing an amazing job. You really do, coach. We were in Tampa last week, Cincy. Cincy, and that's why we came here, though. We did the Cincy Receivers, the top three. And so we asked them, like, so who are the DBs? First name out of their mouth, Denzel. Right, then they...

• 1:07Speaker 03

  You know what? But I love that, because seriously, as you guys know their names, but us, players know.

• 1:11Ryan Clark?

  Yeah.

• 1:12Speaker 03

  Sometimes, fans don't know, because it's hard to see. But you guys know, you're going up against those guys.

• 1:17Ryan Clark?

  Yeah. That's first, first name. And they were like, they're like, that's, that's circle. They said, that's, so that's, that's good. But you know Greg and Denzel played well against them last year, too, though.

• 1:26Speaker 03

  They did. Quick post. They can explain it. I mean, you're a teacher. You can explain it to your guys, and they can take it from the classroom to the grass.

• 1:34Fred Taylor?

  Right.

• 1:35Speaker 03

  That's what, that's your job.

• 1:36Fred Taylor?

  You play fast, yes, sir.

• 1:37Speaker 03

  So you guys, you don't have to think, you just play.

• 1:38Fred Taylor?

  For sure.

• 1:39Speaker 03

  Well, that's why I make a big deal when we're in pads. I'm like, pads means full pads. I want to see those pads in your knees.

• 1:45Fred Taylor?

  Right, right, right.

• 1:46Speaker 03

  Now, everybody has those knee pads up to here.

• 1:48Fred Taylor?

  Right. They gotta be cute. You know, that's the game. Feel good, the whole thing, right? That's true. Yeah. Hey, I've been doing this dude 24 years, man.

• 1:59Ryan Clark?

  Coach, thank you so much for your time.

• 2:00Fred Taylor?

  Oh, that's my guy.

• 2:01Ryan Clark?

  Thank you so much for your time, Coach. It was great talking to you, man. Yes, sir, thank you.

• 2:04Fred Taylor?

  Appreciate you, brother, yes, sir. Nice to meet you. Coach, it's a pleasure, man, for sure.

• 2:08Ryan Clark?

  What up, my boy?

• 2:09Fred Taylor?

  Slim, what's up with you?

• 2:10Ryan Clark?

  How you spirit?

• 2:11Fred Taylor?

  What's up, baby?

• 2:11Ryan Clark?

  That's all that matters.

• 2:12Fred Taylor?

  Love you, man. Good, good, good.

• 2:13Ryan Clark?

  Good to see you, my boy. Yeah, we leaving the day.

• 2:15Fred Taylor?

  Yeah.

• 2:15Ryan Clark?

  We hollering at you?

• 2:16Fred Taylor?

  We'll catch up.

• 2:16Ryan Clark?

  Alright. Superstar.

• 2:17Speaker 04

  What's up?

• 2:18Ryan Clark?

  What up?

• 2:19Speaker 04

  What's happening with you, boy?

• 2:21Ryan Clark?

  Good to see you, dog.

• 2:23Fred Taylor?

  Nice to meet you, brother. I ain't never touched a hundred mil. What's up, dog?

• 2:28Ryan Clark?

  Hey, man, I just wanna get your opinion on something real quick, bruh. Uh, let's see here.

• 2:32Channing Crowder?

  You don't gotta go one through five, no order, but just, just give me some guy. When you walking out there to play, you know they gonna go give you all hell.

• 2:38Speaker 06

  I just give you one, Denzel Ward off the dunk. I think that's for all three of us, you know what I'm saying? Not just 'cause Cleveland talk the most shit, but just because, you know what I'm saying? Denzel Ward did his thing, you know what I'm saying? Same for Greg Newsom, I don't think he elite, but he definitely, they all just talk crazy. So, it ain't somebody we circling, it's, yeah, we see them.

• 2:58Speaker 03

  You gotta tie your nut for him.

• 2:59Speaker 06

  Ain't even that, it's just no, it's game time when we see him. Ain't no crunch up, grain, it's on sight, like, yeah.

• 3:05Fred Taylor?

  It's that, it's that.

• 3:07Speaker 06

  It's just on sight when we see him, that's it.

• 3:09Ryan Clark?

  Hold up. Okay, oh, man. Alright, so what's that?

• 3:36Ryan Clark?

  We had to get on the road, man, how you feel about that?

• 3:38Speaker 04

  I feel good, I mean, sure. That's one of them games, they said they don't circle it, we circle it though, shoot. I mean, they, we see what type of players they are, uh, they like that, they position, so when we going into that game, we looking like this gonna be one of them games we gotta show up.

• 3:53Ryan Clark?

  But, dog, you a shit talker like that?

• 3:55Speaker 04

  Not even, I don't even talk for real, I just, I go out there and let my game play for real.

• 4:00Channing Crowder?

  But you got, for them boys to talk like that, bruh. Like, you gotta, you-

• 4:03Speaker 04

  But we had, we had that type of game against them, so it was like-

• 4:05Channing Crowder?

  Yeah.

• 4:06Speaker 04

  They gotta say that.

• 4:07Channing Crowder?

  Oh, I love it. I love it. Yeah, yeah. You gotta, you gotta go at them. If you, if you a motherf- be a mother-

• 4:12Speaker 04

  Facts, fact.

• 4:12Fred Taylor?

  But it, it, it's a three-headed monster over there.

• 4:15Speaker 04

  Nah, it is.

• 4:16Fred Taylor?

  Well, I mean, just the preparation and the mindset, knowing Tyler Boyd can go off. Jamar Chase can go off. T. Higgins can go off. Any play. Like, how you get, wrap your head around that?

• 4:28Speaker 04

  Like I said, we, we watched them guys up all throughout the week. Like I said, going against those matches like Jamar Chase, like I circle those guys. I'm like, alright, let me see, what, what this guy doing? So like, throughout the week, I'm seeing Jamar Chase, he going out for a hundred a game. I'm like, damn, like, what, what this guy doing against all these players in the league? Like, why he, what he doing to separate himself from everybody else?

• 4:48Ryan Clark?

  You know, when you came in, Freddie T. was like, man, I never touched a hundred million. And I understand that we don't begin to play the game with that in mind, for that money. And obviously, before you and Jalen, that type of money wasn't given out to that position. But we know how it works, right? The way you showed me you respect me, and you love me, and you want me, is about how you pay me.

• 5:12Speaker 04

  Facts.

• 5:12Ryan Clark?

  So when, when you get that contract negotiated and you sign on the line, what did that mean to you?

• 5:17Speaker 04

  It meant a lot, cause for real, I take it back to, uh, 2016, my dad passed away, so. And that's where I wanted to, I didn't want to play football no more. I didn't want to play football, I didn't want to go to school. And for real, I just wanted to stay back home, take care of my mom for real. But she talked me into going back to school and, and still continue to play football and stuff like that, so. Fast, uh, fast forward to when all of that happened, and end up getting an opportunity to make a hundred million and make history for real is, I mean, it's, it's a blessing. Like, if it was up to me, I probably wouldn't even be here for real, so I'd be somewhere else, so. It's just crazy how stuff happen in your life and, uh, set in place,

• 5:58Speaker 04

  and then you able to hit these milestones that, I mean, I didn't dream of or picture for real.

• 6:03Ryan Clark?

  What does it mean to you when you hear, "Make them know your name"?

• 6:08Speaker 04

  So that's a saying that my dad, he used to tell me all the time. Me, my brother, my family, like, before we got on the field, he'd say, "Make them know our name." Or before we go into the classroom, just trying to be a positive light for real and impact this world. And go out there and make big plays on the field, do what you can to make them know your name and leave an impact in this world.

• 6:26Fred Taylor?

  Macedonia, Ohio. Ohio State, Cleveland Browns. You live like 30 minutes from here, right?

• 6:33Speaker 04

  Mm-hmm.

• 6:33Fred Taylor?

  Did you grow up a Browns fan?

• 6:35Speaker 04

  Oh, for real, I didn't, I didn't watch much of the NFL for real. I probably watched more college ball. I knew I always wanted to go Ohio State. But I ended up going to the Browns and, I mean, I pretty, it's crazy, the story that not many people could speak of playing for your hometown team. I played at Ohio State, always playing in Ohio. So, I mean, it's a, it's a story that hasn't been written many times. So, it was definitely a blessing coming here. I mean, I've been enjoying it this whole time.

• 7:00Fred Taylor?

  So is training camp the most relaxing time of the year for you? Because I know your ticket requests.

• 7:04Speaker 04

  Right.

• 7:04Fred Taylor?

  And all that pressure that comes from home. As close as you live, it has to be crazy. So is this time of the year like where you get your peace and you can just kick back?

• 7:13Speaker 04

  Yeah, but I mean, it's honestly not that bad. For real, I let my mom, she take care of all the tickets and all that stuff. So it don't be too bad. So once season time come around, she take care of all that. So I don't even have to deal with it. I could just focus on ball.

• 7:25Channing Crowder?

  But you are beautiful.

• 7:28Speaker 04

  What you mean?

• 7:28Channing Crowder?

  You got pretty eyes, you got good skin, you got the little highlights, like, like, no, no, no. But you a dog now. Like, I watched you play, you a dog. But did you have to fight that? Like, when you walk out, you just, you just look, you look so pleasant and nice walking up. But then you gotta choke a bitch to sleep, you know what I'm saying? Like, the dudes try you and they see you, be like, "Oh, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. This dude got you." You had to fight that?

• 7:52Speaker 04

  I mean, you the first dude that called me beautiful.

• 7:54Channing Crowder?

  Bro, you are beautiful.

• 7:57Speaker 04

  I don't even know how to respond.

• 8:00Channing Crowder?

  Don't, don't.

• 8:01Speaker 04

  I swear, I don't even know what to respond to that.

• 8:04Channing Crowder?

  The gentle demeanor, like in this sport, this barbaric sport, you have a gentle demeanor. Like dudes try you and then you gotta, you had to prove it more? Because you ain't, you know, I'm an old country, like I'm a,

• 8:15Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 8:16Channing Crowder?

  We fight, we fight, like everybody knows the aggression, but you don't see like you very, you very laid back.

• 8:21Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 8:21Channing Crowder?

  So you gotta, do you have, did you have to prove yourself through your career? Because your demeanor is so relaxed, but you still gotta play this barbaric sport?

• 8:28Speaker 04

  Really, like you said, that's just my mindset for like, I'm a laid back guy, but out there on the field, I feel, I could click. I'm not the same type of laid back guy. Once I go out there on the field, I got a different type of mindset, different type of whole attitude that I take when I approach the game, but, like just around here chilling and stuff, I'm chill, laid back and cool, but yeah, I never really been, no one really tried me like that, but, I think guys know what it is once we out there on the field.

• 8:51Channing Crowder?

  Once, once you get out in the field, yeah. Cause it was surprising to me, like when you walked in and just meet you, it was like, hey, what's up? You know, it's all spoken sexy.

• 9:00Ryan Clark?

  Shit. It's the show, man. It's the show.

• 9:02Channing Crowder?

  Yeah, that's real talk.

• 9:04Ryan Clark?

  You know, mentioned being from Ohio, uh, playing for Ohio State, becoming a Cleveland Brown. When you go to Ohio State and play the position that you played, whether it's, you know, guys like Sean Springs, yourself, Jeff Okuda goes very high, you know, there's a long lineage of corners from Ohio State that have become very good professional football players. Do you feel that pressure being here as well though? It's like, not only is it about being a number four overall pick, but you're a hometown guy. You went to a college that produces, I'm not talking about just good players at the position, but elite players at the position.

• 9:46Ryan Clark?

  And there's already a pressure that it's just me and you on the outside. Does it add anything being from the area?

• 9:54Speaker 00

  This episode is brought to you by Michelob Ultra. Good times mean competitions between you and your friends. Like seeing who can throw some pigskin the farthest, or rush the field the fastest. Winner gets an Ultra. Because it's not just a superior light beer, it's also giving fans superior access to their favorite sporting events. Superior is worth playing for. Visit michelobultra.com/superioraccess to enter. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 Anheuser Busch InBev Michelob Ultra Beer, St. Louis, Missouri.

• 10:23Speaker 04

  I don't think it add unnecessary pressure. I mean, going through Ohio State, like, that was always a tradition. We trying to be the best to come out. We trying to win championships there, be top draft picks and produce in the league. So it's pretty much about maintaining that tradition of being that guy. Like, okay, when you speak of Ohio State and you see those guys in the league, they producing, they doing what they supposed to do or whatever. So I think it's just a tradition and just trying to carry that on for real.

• 10:50Ryan Clark?

  For you, now, being the highest-paid defensive back in the league and understanding where this team is from a roster standpoint. You've been here and you guys have been better under Kevin Stefanski, but you were part of the lean years with Freddie Kitchens and you've been a part of losing traditions. What's going to make this team different? How is this team going to turn it around?

• 11:17Speaker 04

  I think we've been doing so, like, building that camaraderie through the offseason. That's when one of our biggest things coming out, I think, feel is different from when we had teams with Freddie on to Coach Stefanski. Just building that camaraderie, doing things with guys outside, going to eat, whatever, hanging out and stuff like that. So I really think like that's going to be the biggest thing. It's like knowing who we playing, where we comfortable with each other and just building that college atmosphere where we could play together. And we like, all right, yeah, I don't want to let my brother down next to me, so I got to go make that play. So that's really much the biggest thing for real.

• 11:49Fred Taylor?

  In terms of team, we spoke earlier about the trio down in Cincinnati. You had some great guys line up across from in practice a few years in Jarvis Landry and OBJ. So I'm sure you were able to fine tune your skills during practice. What were those matchups on a daily like? And? Specifically for Odell, he gets a bad rep. What type of teammate was he?

• 12:13Speaker 04

  He a great teammate. I feel like you can hear from guys all the time. Like, he the guy that's go, he go call you like, "Yo, what you need, if you hurt?" And he like, "I got a doctor for you at the house. I got this, I got that." So, he just always, he go approach you first and be like, "I got this for you, I got that for you." So, he is a great teammate. Come to practice, he competitive, joyful. I mean, just a guy you want on your team and guy you want to be around, so.

• 12:36Fred Taylor?

  And every day, like, did they make you better across the board?

• 12:40Speaker 04

  No question, no question. I say, those guys got me ready for the game.

• 12:44Fred Taylor?

  Wow.

• 12:45Channing Crowder?

  And bro, as, like you saying, like RC said earlier, you was in some lean years. That's, that's a nice way to say it. It was some bad stuff. But then you see the, the organization going to get guys, going to add people, drafting well, have them drive picks and get it. Like, as that OG and them young guys coming in, what do you do to help that process of rebuilding this organization to a, to a championship level and trying to really, really make something, really make the Cleveland Browns be a team that people are scared to play?

• 13:16Speaker 04

  Right. I think, I mean, for me personally, like, I gotta do my part. So, I gotta play my part. I gotta go out there and still perform and still be that number one corner out there on the field. But just also with that, just bringing up the young guys that's coming in and showing them how I do things. But I mean, I'm still learning too, so I'm learning from them. And we just having that constant communication for real, so.

• 13:35Channing Crowder?

  That leadership side though, is that hard?

• 13:37Speaker 04

  I think it's natural. It just depend on who you are. Like I said, I'm, I'm more laid back, so I do like to show by my example and show by how I play on the field. But I'm gonna go grab guys and still, I'll talk to them, help on technique and communicate with them that way and approach them, just me and you or whatever, rather than the whole team maybe.

• 13:54Ryan Clark?

  You know, you look at expectations, right? We were in Pittsburgh as well, and we were talking to those guys about the expectations of the organization. And every time you step on the field, you're representing something. And then that's, that's all across the league. No matter how you look at an organization, there's gonna be a perception of that organization. The Cleveland Browns are a team that, you know, have gotten to the AFC Championship, and it was the Denver Broncos, and they never were quite able to get over that hump historically. And then now, you look at the last couple of years. You mentioned the OBJs, the Jarvis Landrys. You have a number one overall pick at quarterback. And I know what that's like in camp. Because I was, I was talking about the roster in the offseason and speaking to you and what you had added defensively.

• 14:36Ryan Clark?

  Was it a, has it been a letdown for you guys to not reach the goals you set at the beginning of the last couple of years, based on the roster that you had?

• 14:48Speaker 04

  I mean, I would say so because all our goal going into camp, going into the season is we trying to win championship and make it to the Super Bowl. So, once we don't accomplish that, it's like dang, because I mean, everybody at the beginning of the year, they like, oh, we got all this talent, we got OBJ, we got Jarvis, we got, we got all these pieces, but all these pieces don't always gel and match together. So, I mean, I would definitely say it's a letdown just because we didn't reach those goals that, that we strive for to set at the beginning of the year. So, but when it come a new year, we got the opportunity to do it all over again and try to gel with new guys and get to that goal of the Super Bowl.

• 15:22Ryan Clark?

  Yeah, you know, it's like, you're talking about the, the new year and the new start, right? And then the guys that are in the locker room. Baker Mayfield is now a Carolina Panther and, you know, we saw that unfold and it wasn't pretty, right? It became public, whether it's, you know, the, the tapes from OBJ. Baker obviously seeing that you guys were involved in a trade for Deshaun Watson, saying he felt disrespected, all of those things, and that's playing out for the world. And then you guys get Deshaun Watson and you understand there's going to be some sort of punishment or some sort of suspension, but you looking at that team and you like, man, when we get four, right? Sky's the limit.

• 16:02Ryan Clark?

  And then now, everything that's going on, how in the locker room are you guys holding it together to move forward and win games with whether it be, you know, Jacoby Brissette, Josh Rosen, whoever has to play until Deshaun's back?

• 16:17Speaker 04

  Yeah, I think really, I mean, we gotta take care of our own business. I still gotta go out there and be that number one corner that could take the guys away. Because I mean, we had, whether it's Deshaun or whether it's OBJ or whoever it is, like we had guys like, okay, this could be the year, this could be the year. But it's about just putting all that stuff together, but when? So, we had instances where we didn't necessarily were able to have all the guys together or people could gel or match at the same time. So, it's pretty much like I said, we gotta go out there and handle our own business and then everything else should take care of itself.

• 16:50Channing Crowder?

  And, and Deshaun, when you, when he come out there and play, did you say, as a corner, you're going against him and the receivers? Did you see that difference? Did you say, whoo? This is something else than I've seen in the past. Once Deshaun walked on that field.

• 17:04Speaker 04

  No, you definitely see what type of a player Deshaun is and the accuracy, the competitiveness he has in his game. So I mean, we looking to get everybody together. We want Deshaun to be out there once the season start. But not, we gotta do what we gotta do. But you see the difference and see the type of player that he is.

• 17:21Channing Crowder?

  It's levels to it.

• 17:22Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 17:22Channing Crowder?

  Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, no, you know, you know, you know, when a dog look at a dog and you a dog, they gave you a hundred million fucking dollars, you a dog.

• 17:29Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 17:29Channing Crowder?

  Yeah, so that was what I was gonna ask, because a dog know a dog. So when he walked out, he was like, okay.

• 17:33Speaker 04

  You see that, yeah.

• 17:34Channing Crowder?

  Got us a dog.

• 17:35Speaker 04

  Yeah, we got us a dog.

• 17:36Ryan Clark?

  One got a hundred million, the other one got 230 million guaranteed. I mean, at that point, we gotta get a new name for him. Because you ain't gotta be a dog no more, like you just.

• 17:47Channing Crowder?

  A raptor? A dinosaur? I don't know, what the hell, we go fast as a dog, where?

• 17:52Ryan Clark?

  You gotta, you gotta get something else.

• 17:53Channing Crowder?

  Hey, man, let me hold five dollars.

• 17:55Ryan Clark?

  You got it, you got it.

• 17:57Fred Taylor?

  Yeah, D, Chan talked about leadership. RC talked about start to a new season. Here we are in training camp, start to a new season. And you know you were getting a dog and Deshaun coming over. But you're also getting a lot of distractions. You know, as a team leader, how do you guys, you know, keep that on the outside?

• 18:18Speaker 04

  Really, it's just trusting the organization. Like, they did all they had to do in researching whatever it is. But, and then just letting that, I mean, he our quarterback. Let them know that we got his support. He got the support of the team and we go back them on whatever it is. I mean, we out here trying to build a team, build a championship team, and take it to the next level.

• 18:36Ryan Clark?

  You know, you look at this team and also your division, right? This division has now become a division of star quarterbacks, all except my team. But the rest of the teams, you know, you look at the Baltimore Ravens. You have Lamar Jackson, MVP, one of the top talents in the league. Joe Burrow, a former Ohio State guy and LSU Tiger guy. You know, now in Cincinnati. When you think about the future of this division, obviously, you guys with Deshaun.

• 19:09Ryan Clark?

  What's going to keep you and this team from dominating?

• 19:13Speaker 04

  What's gonna keep us from dominating?

• 19:14Ryan Clark?

  What can keep y'all from dominating? Because when you look at, like, y'all have all the pieces, man. And we have talked about the Cleveland Browns for the last four years. Having all the pieces they need as a team, right? To be a Super Bowl champion, to be a Super Bowl contender with Nick Chubb in the backfield, great offensive line, skilled players on the outside. Obviously, what you can do and the rest of the guys on defense with Myles Garrett. But it's always something that stops y'all from saying, okay, we're achieving everything our roster says we can achieve. And sometimes it's the other teams. Sometimes it is the Baltimore, sometimes it is the Cincinnati Bengals. So to rephrase it, what do y'all have to do to begin to dominate this division?

• 19:54Speaker 04

  I think we gotta, we gotta work together. We gotta all play good at the same time. That's the biggest thing. I think like last year during the season, maybe our offense doing good, they balling, dominating, putting points on the board, and defense may not be doing their job. Where defense balling, getting takeaways, but we not putting points on the board. So I think the biggest thing is about playing good at the same time for real and playing complimentary football. So if we could all do that, and Omari and DeShawn, they get on the same page, guys get on the same page and doing what they're supposed to do, and it's coming off great, I think, I think we gonna be side that's gonna take us to the next level.

• 20:28Channing Crowder?

  And they talking about the defense and offense playing together and all this stuff, and the, the, the team atmosphere. You've been on struggling teams, you've been on middle-tier teams, but not that next, that next step. So like to Ryan's point, like, do you see what it takes?

• 20:46Speaker 04

  See, and that's why I feel like we all still learning. Like I said, we haven't took that next step where we could say, oh, we a championship team, we a Super Bowl team. So we haven't took that next step. So like I said, we gotta come in and try to find what it is to get us there. So that's why I think, like I said, the biggest thing was that camaraderie and getting guys together. Because before, I didn't think, we didn't have that as much. Guys wasn't as close, guys wasn't doing as much off the field as, as we could have. And just, I think, I feel that's a big fact. Like in college, we all brothers, we all close, and we all trying to defend the other person, regardless of what it is. So if we could build that around here, that's all I said.

• 21:22Channing Crowder?

  It's the crazy thought part, because we're doing a training camp tour. We talk to other guys that say that. Like that, um... TJ Watt said the same thing.

• 21:30Fred Taylor?

  Well, it's real.

• 21:31Channing Crowder?

  He was like, "We're here and we have nowhere to go."

• 21:33Fred Taylor?

  Right.

• 21:33Channing Crowder?

  So as soon as meeting's over, we're playing cards, we rolling dice. We're like, "That's as big as it is." Because I ain't gonna lie, like, I didn't give a damn what you did after practice. I'm about to go slide to the strip club.

• 21:44Fred Taylor?

  Right.

• 21:44Channing Crowder?

  And you do whatever you do, go, I don't know, do some weirdo stuff. But I like, but you really think that camaraderie?

• 21:50Fred Taylor?

  Talk about the, do you think people didn't think you was going to do weirdo stuff?

• 21:55Speaker 00

  This episode is brought to you by Michelob Ultra. Good times mean competitions between you and your friends. Like seeing who can throw some pigskin the farthest or rush the field the fastest. Winner gets an ultra. Because it's not just a superior-like beer. It's also giving fans superior access to their favorite sporting events. Superior is worth playing for. Visit michelobultra.com/superioraccess to enter. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 Anheuser-Busch InBev Michelob Ultra Beer, St. Louis, Missouri.

• 22:25Fred Taylor?

  What's weird about a strip club? Like I'm just saying.

• 22:27Speaker 04

  When you was going to the strip club, that was after practice?

• 22:30Channing Crowder?

  One in the afternoon.

• 22:32Fred Taylor?

  And then that's.

• 22:32Channing Crowder?

  I was waiting it done with the form to unlock it.

• 22:38Channing Crowder?

  When y'all open?

• 22:40Fred Taylor?

  And that's not strange to you?

• 22:41Channing Crowder?

  That's not strange to me.

• 22:43Fred Taylor?

  When you're supposed to be working?

• 22:45Channing Crowder?

  I'm done with, I'm done with work.

• 22:47Speaker 04

  So you not watching no film after practice? You to the, you to the strip club watching?

• 22:50Channing Crowder?

  Oh, I film, I film. I was, I was an early morning man. So I do the film in the morning. When they cut me loose out of that facility. You cut me loose in Miami.

• 22:59Speaker 04

  Okay.

• 23:00Channing Crowder?

  And I'm about to go Miami.

• 23:01Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 23:02Channing Crowder?

  And I'm gonna do all Miami has to offer.

• 23:04Fred Taylor?

  Hey, but this the same guy that woke up from the nap driving over today. I show him a clip of a tight end getting behind him. He say, "Oh, that's the blown coverage. Guess who blew it?"

• 23:15Channing Crowder?

  Say, "Mistreatment occasion." He ain't tell me that was my man.

• 23:18Speaker 04

  Right.

• 23:19Channing Crowder?

  You gotta talk to me. But like, but no, like, it's funny because the, the young athlete, we talk a lot about like, y'all, y'all boys, we all 40, you know what I'm saying? And it seems if y'all are like different. And it seems if just talking to these young guys, they seem like that camaraderie really means that much to y'all and success of the entire organization. But it's on y'all. It means that much?

• 23:43Speaker 04

  No, it really do. It really do. I'm saying. Once you get that, build that camaraderie in guys that you trust. I mean, out there on the field, you gotta trust that next guy knowing he gonna make the play and stuff like that. I mean, it's just gonna take you there.

• 23:55Fred Taylor?

  There's a, a street.

• 23:56Ryan Clark?

  Named after your father. And in reading about him and his love for the community. Thanksgiving, you guys being young and him having you go out and give to the less fortunate and and be a part of those things and what's that instilled in you? What type of pride, man, do you get in? Because you've got 100 million, you were the fourth pick of the draft. There are all these things you have done in life that are Denzel Ward, obviously, instilled in you by your father, but it had to be a proud moment for you, even with all you accomplished, that that street represents your name. That street represents your father. What was that feeling like?

• 24:39Speaker 04

  Man, it was a blessing. I mean, that's, that was, I feel everything that he embodied, like the saying he used to say, "Make them know your name." Like, he got a whole street named after him. So, that just literally says what it is right there, just the impact that I feel that he left on this world, like I said, and things that he instilled into me and into who I am and I try to carry on when I come in communication with people or whatever, that, I mean, that just mean the world to me and to my family. And so, that's just how I try to live my life, just going about trying to impact the world in a positive way and make people know my name, whether that's on the field or in the community and just like I said, people I come in contact with.

• 25:13Ryan Clark?

  I got two questions for that. From a football standpoint, you get this money, you're drafted where you are, and not in the sense that people don't feel, but you're expected to be as good as you are. When you go run 4-3-2 and you strong as hell and you've played at the Ohio State University, you don't draft a dude fourth and think to yourself, "He's not going to be excellent at his job." What else is there for you to prove? What are you still playing for? What are you still trying to make them know about your name, about Denzel Ward, every time you step on the field? Because motivations change, motivations are different, goals change. What are your goals now?

• 25:54Speaker 04

  See, for me, it was never really about the money. Like, for me, it was, I want to be legendary, I want to be in the Hall of Fame, I want to be, but I don't always speak on that. I want to be the best corner in the league, I want to be considered the best corner. But I feel that may not always be the case, I feel I don't always publicly speak on that or whatever. So, I got a lot of goals that I'm, I set in place and that I'm trying to accomplish and be something, be more, but, I mean, like I said, I just don't always publicly speak on it, so, you feel me? So, I don't always get the recognition or the light that I should get.

• 26:25Channing Crowder?

  And who, uh, I don't wanna say chasing because you a dog already, but when you start laying it out like guys that you wanna be the best corner of the league, are you?

• 26:33Speaker 04

  I feel I'm the best corner of the league. If you put my numbers up to the whoever you think is the number one corner of the league or whatever, I feel my numbers either match it or better than it.

• 26:41Channing Crowder?

  I don't.

• 26:42Speaker 04

  And we talking about numbers.

• 26:43Channing Crowder?

  I'm, yeah, numbers, but I'm talking about who, who do you look, who, when you watch film, who do you look at as corners like, okay, he, yeah, he can play.

• 26:50Speaker 04

  Yeah, I mean, y'all know the guys, it's the Jalen Ramsey's, the Marshawn Lattimore's, uh, Xavier Howard's, uh, Jair Alexander, all those guys, I mean, and all those guys some dogs or whatever. So, I mean, I feel I'm a dog too, you feel me? So, it's like, I'm trying to be that number one guy, so I'm chasing those guys and those guys I feel chasing me.

• 27:08Fred Taylor?

  But like we said earlier, man, you, and there's nothing wrong with it, but you seem so soft spoken. You know, where do you find that switch? Like, how, how do you, you know, how do you just get into it? Like, and just change everything and say, I'm dominating this shit today?

• 27:24Speaker 04

  To me, I just, I just feel like I'm a competitor. I hate to lose and when I get out there on the field, like, we got a thing called no claps. So, it's like, either my mom gonna be clapping or your mom gonna be clapping when we out there on the field. So, it's about like, I, I don't want your mom to be up there clapping, cheering for you. That means I'm probably getting bombed on or they doing whatever they want out there on the field. So, it's just that competitive nature and just not trying to get exposed and just wanting to be that guy out there on the field. I'm trying to be a playmaker. I'm just trying to be that guy to be like, all right, okay, when 21 out there on the field, we know we gonna get something out of him.

• 27:55Fred Taylor?

  And in that same breath, are you the type of guy that says, you know, nah, I, I want this guy today? Do you welcome those other dogs on the other side of the field?

• 28:04Speaker 04

  I definitely, I love those matchups. Like, we was talking about with Jamar Chase, whoever it is, I love those matchups or whatever. Whether it's DeAndre Hopkins, whoever it is, I'm trying to, I want the number one guy and I want everybody to be watching, we to the boundary, it's me, me versus you, who go win, so.

• 28:18Fred Taylor?

  Is it, is it too early in the season to call somebody out?

• 28:22Speaker 04

  Yeah, I ain't calling nobody. I mean, whoever it is.

• 28:26Ryan Clark?

  It is what it is. Somebody circle. This is my thing. You know, like, I love film. Like, I would watch film all the time. And I was talking to T and Jamar and Tyler. And I was very honest. Like, I really didn't care if your best players played. You know what I mean? Like, some dudes are like, nah, man, if we playing Cincinnati, I want Jamar to be there. There was never a time in my life where I was playing against a Randy Moss team and I was upset that he was hurt. Like, never. There was never a time they was talking to me on Thursday, well, how do you feel about Randy being hurt? Well, he can come back Monday. I'm glad he ain't gonna be there on Sunday. Like, I'm not, I wasn't like that. For you, though, and playing your positions, those are the legendary matchups that elevate you to that, to that spot you want to get to.

• 29:11Ryan Clark?

  But when you watching the film and you see Jamar Chase almost have a season against Marlon Humphrey, who at the time, ninety-six million dollars, all pro, pro bowler, what does that do to you and your mentality? Is it like, okay, all right, Jamar, Jamar different. I gotta play differently against him? Or is it like, I know Marlon's a dog too. Like, I gotta figure out this game. What switches in your head from that type of film study, seeing an elite guy challenge another elite guy and lose in that way?

• 29:44Speaker 04

  Yeah, definitely. I mean, like I said, Jamar, he was going a hundred. We ain't playing until like mid-season. I think he was going off a hundred yards each week. I'm like, dang, this guy is going off on these guys. Like, what is he doing? Because when I was watching film, I see that he's a good player, but for how I play, I feel like, okay, I feel like I could, I could do some of these things differently than another guy could do or whatever. So, just leading up to the match, I'm studying them all week and just checking them out. But for my mindset, like... One guy, he said, "Yeah, I'm concerned a little bit, but I mean, I packed that thing too." So I mean, I feel, I just feel like I'm like that and I'm that guy. Like whoever it is, whoever that matchup is, if it's Jamar or whoever it is, I feel like I could come out on top.

• 30:27Ryan Clark?

  And before you came in, before you came in, he's like, "Man, he's quiet." You know what I mean? And I know Channing, Channing's strange and he called you beautiful to your face or whatever. And so we were, but we were driving up and I was just talking about how good I think you are. You know, we've messaged before, but I was like, "He could just really play." And I was telling him about speed and change of direction, all these things. And I was like, "But it's weird." I was like, "'Cause he is like oddly pretty." You know what I mean? And then so, and so, you know, but, but with that, one thing that always stands out to me from you, I'm a down south guy, I'm an SEC guy. I'm not waking up, you know, in the morning thinking about the 11 o'clock Central game that's gonna have Ohio State on. The, the thing that made me notice you was the hit against Maryland.

• 31:10Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 31:10Ryan Clark?

  Right? You were flagged for it, but you dang near killed dude.

• 31:13Speaker 04

  Right.

• 31:14Ryan Clark?

  Right? And so at that point though, I'm looking at it like, "This is a corner." And you were, you were even smaller then, than you, I think you was like 180 at the Combine. And you were even smaller then. And so to, to see you play that way made me say, "Okay, this is somebody I gotta pay attention to." And now I'm watching you lock down receivers in the league. What was the upbringing like that made you this person on the field? Not the player, like, "'Cause I'm slow, like I can't run, like I couldn't really jump. So I had to change things up and become something differently from a player's standpoint. But what upbringing and what part of your experiences made you like, I guess Channing would say, that type of dog?

• 31:54Speaker 04

  Yeah, 'cause for real, I wasn't that highly touted recruit coming out of high school. But all throughout my high school career and going to college, everybody like, "Oh, he's small, he this, he that, uh, he not gonna be able to make it 'cause he's small." So that was always the thing that I was small. But I'm like, "Man, I'm still showing I could tackle, I could hit and I could play and stuff like that." And so it's like, it's really about just proving people wrong. For, I mean, I had a, I had a high school coach that was like, "Oh yeah, you not gonna make it to, uh..." To college football or you're not good enough. So I'm like, alright. So that was one of my motivating factors. Same person, he was like, and then I end up getting an offer. He like, oh, they only want you because you fast or whatever. So it's just all these little tidbits. I'm thinking in my mind like, man, people saying all these things. I can't do this, I can't do that.

• 32:38Speaker 04

  And I'm small, so I always just wanted to play bigger than I actually was or whatever. So even though I was smaller, I felt I was still lifting, still strong and stuff like that. And able to make those big plays and make those big hits. Like you said, against Maryland, changed the game.

• 32:52Channing Crowder?

  Yeah, and one thing, we, Freddie joked about it. We done joked about it already. You hit him for 20 coming out, they hit him for another 100. The old saying, more money, more problems. What's them problems for you?

• 33:06Speaker 04

  For real, I don't really have no problems. I'm not.

• 33:07Channing Crowder?

  You got something, bro.

• 33:08Speaker 04

  I'm not a real needy person, so it's like, I'll just, I go with the flow. So I don't really have too much problems for real.

• 33:14Channing Crowder?

  You know how to say no?

• 33:15Speaker 04

  Yeah, yeah.

• 33:16Channing Crowder?

  Bro, like I'm saying, that's why I don't count.

• 33:17Speaker 04

  I don't really.

• 33:18Channing Crowder?

  I don't count the other man's pockets, but shit's on the internet. You know what I'm saying?

• 33:21Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 33:22Channing Crowder?

  We know you got bread. So what does that bring?

• 33:25Speaker 04

  No, I mean, it bring a lot. It bring a lot of extra people, new people, new cousins, new everybody. So, but I mean, like I said, I'm not a real needy person. I know how to say no and I know how to communicate and talk to people like, okay, if I'm not giving you money, I mean, I could give you, I could give you knowledge. I could talk to you and we could figure whatever out, whatever it is that you trying to do. And it's either you accept it or you not, so.

• 33:47Channing Crowder?

  And what's your vice?

• 33:48Speaker 04

  It depends on the situation.

• 33:50Channing Crowder?

  Everybody that got bread got a vice. Are you clothes dude, the car dude, the jewelry dude?

• 33:55Speaker 04

  I like jewelry, I like, I mean, I like the finer things, but I mean, I don't, I don't know. I like the finer.

• 34:01Ryan Clark?

  You did very well on this show, by the way. Because I got one more question after this. You didn't ask him, as much as you called him beautiful, you never asked him about women. I am very proud.

• 34:12Channing Crowder?

  Oh, I know he killing them. You killing them, ain't it?

• 34:15Speaker 04

  I don't single, so I mean.

• 34:16Channing Crowder?

  No, he wasn't single yesterday.

• 34:20Channing Crowder?

  You, bro, you gotta be killing them, bro.

• 34:22Speaker 04

  I'm chilling, man. I be chilling.

• 34:28Channing Crowder?

  White teeth? Was that a misalign? God damn!

• 34:33Speaker 04

  I'll be chilling, bro.

• 34:34Channing Crowder?

  Just chilling.

• 34:35Speaker 04

  I'll be hanging out. I'll be chilling. I know, he trying to get me.

• 34:39Fred Taylor?

  Don't fall into the trap, man. You know, seriously, with the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, you're the Browns Walter Payton Man of the Year. You do a lot in the community. Hundred million dollar man, you know, a hell of a player, man. Me, from me to you, thank you for your time in this training camp. We know how it is. We wish you the most success on this season. I don't know, RC had.

• 35:04Ryan Clark?

  I had one more. My, no, I like that. And, because you're Freddie Flowers and that's what you do. And I love the fact that he just listed things about who you are as a person. You know, even when this first started, you know, you talked about your father immediately. And I know that's probably, I couldn't imagine that. So I know it's still something you feel. Walter Payton, Payton Man of the Year, as a very young player. Your foundation and the amount of donations you've made, even to just cardiac health, cardiac awareness, research.

• 35:34Ryan Clark?

  Getting to name that foundation after something your father would always tell you. If he was still here, what do you think he'd be most proud of?

• 35:44Speaker 04

  I think he'd be most proud of just the way we continue to pursue throughout life. I mean, he passed away, but I feel like he prepared us for life, for life after him. And like, he always told us, like, regardless, always take care of your mom, do this, do that. And, and just setting the right foundation for us to be the man I am, for my brother to be the man he is. And like I said, just finding a way to impact this world in a positive way. So I think, like I said, the biggest thing is just, um, just, just, just what we could get back to this community, get back to this world for real.

• 36:19Ryan Clark?

  Well, I'm gonna say this, man. You have certainly made them know your name. I think the world of football truly understands who Denzel Ward is. But I do believe that your biggest impact is going to continue being off the field. And I don't think you will ever understand.

• 36:41Ryan Clark?

  What you are doing for the people you're helping. And what you are doing in that community. And as a father, I know your dad is as proud as he could possibly be of you. So man, thank you for your time, bro. I wish you the best. Like, I just enjoy watching you play the game. I think you play it the right way. And I will be locked in for Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns this year. No question. Alright, my dog, appreciate you, bro. Appreciate y'all, right? That was good, man, thank you, appreciate you. Awesome, brother, appreciate you, man, you are beautiful though.

• 37:10Ryan Clark?

  Hey, you did good, champ. I thought you would've asked him that. I thought you would've asked him that way earlier, dawg.

• 37:41Speaker 07

  Every game day, you show up for your team. Now, it's your time.

• 37:51Speaker 08

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