MIKE BORGONZI: This is an exciting day for the Tennessee Titans organization here as we welcome Cam Ward and his family here to Nashville. As I said to Cam on the phone last night, we went through the whole process with him, and we came away with obviously the player but also the person that he is, the leader and the teammate. And we didn't think there was anyone more deserving to really represent this franchise than Cam Ward.
So, Cam, I'd like to have you come up here and introduce you.
(Applause).
Before you step to the podium, Cam, we have a special guest here.
(Applause).
WARREN MOON: I just came here because I have a lot of respect for this young man right here. A lot of our journey is similar as far as all the things that he was told throughout the journey about not being good enough, nobody wanted to give him that great opportunity.
But he just kept fighting. He kept working. He kept showing leadership, perseverance. And here he is today the number one overall pick in the National Football League draft.
So, that's the reason I wanted to be here, just to let him know how proud I am of him. And I've watched your career ever since you were at our rival, Washington State -- and I didn't like how you played against my Huskies all the time, but you had to do what you had to do.
But as far as the number and everything is concerned, I wore the No. 1 for a lot of different reasons, and I wore it for a long time, starting back in 1976 when I was in college. And I think I wore it very honorably for the Houston Oilers organization to the point where I created a hall of fame career for myself.
Now I'm part of the Tennessee Titans family, and my Houston Oiler jersey will probably never be worn again -- I hope it won't -- but the Tennessee Titans jersey is going to be worn by Cam. And Cam will be starting a new, not regime here, but just a new freshness in this organization to kind of revitalize it and get it back to where it was a number of years ago, one of more successful organizations in the league.
I'm excited to see what he's going to do with his legacy wearing this number, and I'm proud of the things that I did to establish my legacy with the time I wore that number.
So, Cam, I'm going to be watching your career. I'm here for you. I'm going to help you as much as I can possibly do, whenever you need me. And just wish you the best of luck. And you come from a great family. I think that's where a lot of it starts. And I think you'll do well here.
Congratulations on being the number one overall pick, and now the work gets started.
(Applause).
CAM WARD: I appreciate you, Mr. Mike, Ms. Amy, Coach Callahan and Mr. Chad, thank you for giving me the opportunity. I know you make what's right for the organization, you as well, Ms. Amy.
I'm grateful for my family to be here in this moment with me. I've been praying for this since I was 6 years old. I'm ready to get to work, ready to be with my teammates, try to win some games in the future.
Q. What does it mean to hear your general manager say that it was not only you as a player but you as a person that attracted this organization to you and wanted to make you the number one pick?
CAM WARD: It means a lot. Especially my background, where I came from, what I had to do to get to this journey. But it's all God and hard work. And I just think that I did a lot of little things in my career to take care of everything to maximize my talents.
I'm excited to get to work here. Just meeting my guys in the locker room, in the cafeteria already, I know some good things are about to happen.
Q. You have your parents here. They played obviously a critical role in your development and everything. What do you say to them now that you've gotten to this point, how do you repay them for all the work they put in?
CAM WARD: I can't repay them. Nothing can, just what they sacrificed since I was a kid all the way to high school, to where I am now.
They sacrificed financially for me. Time-wise, there's days my dad would wake up at 5:00 a.m., we'd drive halfway across Texas to get to camps.
I'll never be able to repay them. I just hope me being to repay them one way is just by putting on for them and the family on the field.
Q. What's that number mean to you? Did you know any of this was going on? Were you planning to ask him? How did that go?
CAM WARD: I've been asked them. I called them about a month ago. So I didn't know this was going on. But I knew this was going to happen.
I'm excited that Mr. Moon was able to bless me with giving me this number. But I think to me the number would never mean anything; it's all about the plays you make on the field. I'm ready for thirds opportunity with my teammates.
Q. Does the number hold any significance for you?
CAM WARD: It doesn't hold a significance. It's all about how you play on the field. The person doesn't make the number, the player makes the number.
Q. The legacy of quarterbacks that this organization has been a part of -- of course Mr. Moon, Steve McNair and now yourself -- does that put more pressure on you or do you look at that and say, like, I need to live up to something greater than myself?
CAM WARD: Not really. All those players, they played for the Oilers. I'm a Titan. None of that pressure ever gets to me. I don't care what the outside world sees me as. The only thing that matters is the build in my teammates. I never get too high, never too low. I just want to go make plays.
Q. You've been able to insert yourself in two college programs and be the leader, be the guy, (indiscernible). What's the challenge in doing it at this level, surrounded by millionaires and guys who have been in this league?
CAM WARD: I just think just being real on time with stuff, especially offensively. You have to be an elite communicator. That's what I learned being in college. That's why we were able to have one of the best offenses at Miami this last year. We had elite communication from myself, the O line, the receiving corps and the running backs.
I think that's the big part, is continuing to get better each year in and out. And I think communication is a big key to us having success.
Q. How did you develop that skill for being so level headed, not getting high or low? What is the key to keeping that in the tough moments?
CAM WARD: I would say about losing a lot in my life. And whether it's off the field or on the field, I just think the more you never change your level, the more good things will happen to you.
You also gotta be a good teammate because at the end of the day I'll never be the only person to win this game. There will be a receiver catching the ball, running back running, the defense tackling. Everybody plays a vital role and I just try to do mine each week out.
Q. What is it about your game that you're able to elevate your team and teammates at the various stops you've had and how will it translate here?
CAM WARD: I think I elevated those guys just by being a teammate, I would say, being a real locker room guy and also holding people accountable. I think you can't do that unless you actually know the person on a personal level.
But at the end of the day it all starts on the practice field. Can't nothing translate to the game unless you rep it over and over. But I plan on getting to work.
Q. Did you meet any other owners during this process and realize or did you realize at the time how significant it was that Amy came to that workout and took some time to talk to you, to get to know you or anything?
CAM WARD: Yeah, I got a chance to meet with the other teams' owners as well. But I think Miss Amy, she just jumped off the charts. The connection I had with her off rip. My parents, my mom got a chance to talk with her.
And she's from my part of the area. She's down South. So I just think it was already made to happen.
Q. The relationship that you developed with the receivers there in Miami very quickly, how did you go about doing that? Because talking to Restrepo, he said you guys were on the same page immediately. You could talk without talking. How did you develop that relationship, and what did you learn as far as being able to spin it forward to here?
CAM WARD: I would say watching a lot of film with those guys and also getting reps in practice. Whether, God knows, we're going to have bad days in practices, missed reps here and there, but you have to be able to make it up at the end of practice.
But also have the receivers who want to push themselves like I had in Miami. I'm surrounded by that with Tennessee. I have some elite vets, some elite young guys. I'm ready to get to work with those guys. But it starts in the film room. The football stuff on the field will take care of the rest.
Q. You talk about that a lot, when it comes to the film room. One of the coaches at Washington State said you're so diligent in preparation. It starts there. At what point did you know I've got to be in there, I have to put in the time? And did you fall in love with the process of it too?
CAM WARD: I've probably noticed it the most when I got to Wazzu. And it's something that you do fall in love with because I'm behind the 8-ball. I didn't get a chance to grow up in high school and college playing different offenses and learning football. I really didn't start learning football until I got to Wazzu.
So as I progressed throughout my career I started to love it even more. And I just think just over time I've gotten better. I learned how to watch film the right way. I think I have a great way of seeing space on the field, also, again, through progression.
So I think everything has helped me to this point. I've also played with some teammates who have got a chance to play in the NFL, in my past. I just think it all worked out.
Q. What is it about Coach Callahan's offense that you think fits your game and your skill set conceptually?
CAM WARD: I think a lot of stuff translates over from what I did at Miami, even at Wazzu and UIW. It's a real quarterback from the offense. You see what he did with Joe Burrow when he got him his rookie year.
But Coach Callahan one of the best offensive minds out there. And for me, it's a blessing to play for him, for somebody who I know is going to believe in me, who will put the ball in my hands at the end of the game and go win it. As a quarterback that's all you can really live for.
Q. What was the play you were asking him about last night?
CAM WARD: Switch verse.
Q. Could you talk about why you like it so much?
CAM WARD: Verticals -- we're window shopping over here. (Laughter).
Q. Can you shed some light on your respect for Warren Moon? What do you know about his career, his journey, how do you relate to that?
CAM WARD: I have a lot of respect. I didn't know much about him until the draft was really starting since February after the last game. The titans have. Before I called him I made sure I watched his highlights to make sure he was legit. (Laughter).
So he was. He was legit. (Laughter).
I'm trying to get up to his level one day. Might take me a little time I'll get there eventually. He's a hall of famer. For me to be in that same number that he was in, it was an honor.
I'm excited that he's here. He made time out of his way. He could have done plenty more stuff, but he made sure he was here for me. I'm forever grateful for it.
Q. The fact he went to Canada and didn't get his shot in the NFL, does that resonate with you?
CAM WARD: A little bit I would say. I also think it was a different time, too. The game's progressed many years. There's a lot of plays I've seen. He's doing five-step drops on the center and then run a quick game. That's not what we do nowadays, from an understanding like that.
But I just think, you know, as the game progressed, he was ahead of his time, I would say. But I'm sure he made the most of it and he did.
Q. Did you have any hesitation about making that phone call? Did you talk to Brian or Mike about, did they soften the path for you there?
CAM WARD: I had no hesitation making a phone call. The only thing he could say is no. So if he would have said no, I would have got a different number. I wasn't too worried about it. Don't hurt to ask.
Q. What does the term "franchise quarterback" mean to you?
CAM WARD: Somebody who can lead their teammates for a numerous amount of years, not just one season. You've got to be consistent in the National Football League. That's why you see some of the best quarterbacks out here, like Pat, Josh and Lamar being in playoffs every year; they're consistent quarterbacks.
That's where I want to get to in my career real fast. And it's good that I can do it in a quarterback-driven system like Coach Callahan has and around a lot of good weapons.
Q. What traits do you think you have that kind of typify what a franchise quarterback means?
CAM WARD: I think I don't get enough credit for the type of processor I am. I think I see space real well. Over my college career, I've gotten better at each stop, again, through progressions.
And I just think my feel for the pocket is something that can't be coached. But it's also something that you have to watch a lot of film on.
Q. What does it mean to you that this organization has put its faith and trust in you to be the guy?
CAM WARD: That's all I really need. All I need is one shot and I'll make the most of it. For them to draft me number one overall I know they won't regret it. I'll make sure they don't.
Q. I think I read your family hasn't missed one of your games. What do you think it is about you and your family who will likely spend a lot of time here that fits well with Tennessee and Nashville?
CAM WARD: They just like to see me play football, honestly, I would say. They never missed a game my whole career, from little league, my dad coaching me, all the way to this point.
It's a blessing. Not a lot of athletes can have both their parents at their games. So I'm one of the lucky ones out here. Every time I get in the stands, it's really the only two people I look for. They're at the game, I'm good. I'm just trying to go win a game.
Q. Your teammates talk glowingly about your leadership. We asked you at the combine how you feel about how your leadership style would translate to the NFL. In meeting some of your teammates that you'll be playing with, how have you started to kind of implant yourself now as we enter the next phase of your career?
CAM WARD: Just being a good communicator, I would say. Coming in with confidence, watching film with those guys and also understanding them. We're going to have missed communication, but at the end of the day, when it comes to Sunday we'll be on the same page. I think the more we can mess up during the week is going to only end up leading to better plays on Sundays.
Q. Every time you've been knocked down in your football journey, I guess what ways internally kept you like getting back up, like what was the motivation just through every time you have been knocked down in your journey?
CAM WARD: I'd say myself. It's something that I really do want. I love playing the game of football. And it's only here for a short amount of time. So every chance I get to step on the field, I try to take full advantage of it. And I never remember -- I never forget where I came from. I always remember where I came from. It's just a blessing to be here. Not a lot of people can do what I did, go the journey I had to go to get to this moment. And I'm excited to play for this organization.
Q. Working with Darrell Colbert, what was it initially that you saw in him and how has he helped bring your game to the level where it is now?
CAM WARD: I think the biggest thing he's helped me is throwing from confined spaces. Not over-striding. In high school, even throughout college, I was a big over-strider when I was throwing the ball. He's helped reduce that. And he's never changed my arm angles. He knew I could do some crazy stuff on the field. I live for moments like that.
But he also knows I'm a gunslinger, that's who I am, that's who I'll be as long as I play football. Never tried to change me. He's only made me better. Each year I've trained with him, I've been with him for four years. It's the reason he has the number one quarterback in the draft.
Q. Cam, you worked with Shedeur and with them as well. What kind of bond did you develop with Shedeur? And the second part of that question, how surprised are you that he wasn't picked in the first round?
CAM WARD: I feel a special relationship with him especially me first getting to know him about five years ago when I started working with him when I was at UIW, but it is surprises because he's a good quarterback. He doesn't get a lot of the credit he deserves, especially the plays that he made at Colorado, a lot of quarterbacks in the country aren't making those plays.
When he gets his opportunity, I'm pretty sure it will happen soon, he'll make sure he makes plays on the field when he gets the chance.
Q. If Warren said no, did you have another jersey number in mind?
CAM WARD: I'd probably wear 7.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports