Cam Ward sparked controversy by not playing the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Ward played the first half and sat in the second after breaking the Division I record for most touchdown passes in a career (156), passing Case Keenum.
The arguments were unnecessary.
Many felt Ward took a risk by playing in a meaningless bowl game as potentially the first overall pick. On the other hand, others felt that Ward was selfish just for the record. The Hurricanes lost, 32-31.
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during the first half of the NCAA Pop Tarts Bowl college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The future first-round pick received plenty of praise and criticism, but his now-former head coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense this week.
“I don’t feel the need to rush to squash false narratives and a bunch of nonsense… that people like to start because that’s their way of doing any job,” he said Monday. “That’s where he is. That’s where he’s always been. Cam has been exceptional, an elite, Miami Hurricane. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He has raised the profile, the exposure of the University of Miami.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Cam Ward (1) celebrate a 52-45 victory against Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Al Díaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
FORMER FLORIDA QB JESSE PALMER TALKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF, FRENCH ONION BEER AND SHEDEUR SANDERS, CAM WARD
“He’s leaving a legacy that will impact generations to come. I mean, he’s the best I’ve ever known and I look forward to seeing him lead an NFL franchise to championships and watching him play on Sundays.”
“He’s a big reason why he won 10 games and had a chance to really win every game,” Cristobal added. “He set the tone for what the standard is, right, the expectation goes forward, no matter how difficult it may seem and seem.”
Miami controlled its own destiny in the College Football Playoff heading into the final week of the regular season, but the Canes fell to Syracuse to miss out on the ACC title game and miss a chance to make the Playoff. Perhaps the conversation would have died down on both sides if Ward had had more at stake in December.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) drops back to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Ward and Shedeur Sanders are in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, owned by the Tennessee Titans.
