When the Colts brought in Lou Anarumo to run their defense, it signaled more than just a coordinator change-it was a philosophical shift. Anarumo’s schemes demand versatility and discipline on the back end, and Indianapolis knew it had to upgrade its secondary to make that system work. That search led them to two key additions: safety Cam Bynum, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal, and veteran cornerback Charvarius “Mooney” Ward.
Bynum helped shore up the safety position, but it was Ward who was expected to lock down one side of the field in Anarumo’s system. The fit made sense-Ward’s physicality, instincts, and experience in man coverage made him an ideal piece for a defense that leans heavily on its corners to hold up in one-on-one matchups. But just one year into his Colts tenure, Ward is now facing a decision that goes far beyond football.
Speaking to reporters during exit interviews, Ward revealed that his father has urged him to retire-and he’s seriously considering it. The reason?
Concussions. Ward suffered three of them during the 2025 season, two of which were significant enough to land him on short-term injured reserve.
One even occurred during a pregame collision with a teammate. In total, he missed 10 games this season due to concussion-related symptoms.
That’s not just a tough break for a team that invested in him to be a foundational piece of the secondary-it’s a deeply personal and potentially life-altering situation for Ward himself.
The reality is, with each concussion, the risks compound. Recovery takes longer.
Symptoms can linger. And the long-term effects-cognitive decline, depression, memory loss, and conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)-aren’t just possibilities.
They’re real outcomes that have impacted former players in devastating ways. We’ve seen too many stories of players whose lives were forever changed after the game, some tragically cut short.
And yet, for someone like Ward, walking away isn’t a simple decision. Football isn’t just a job-it’s a lifelong passion.
It’s something he’s likely been doing since childhood, a craft he’s honed for years. Stepping away, even in the face of serious health concerns, is emotionally and mentally taxing.
It’s not uncommon for players to try and push through, to bet on themselves and hope their bodies hold up. Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
This is the crossroads Ward now finds himself at. Does he continue to play the game he loves, knowing the risks? Or does he listen to his father and prioritize his long-term health and well-being?
There’s no easy answer here. This is a deeply personal decision, one that will take time, reflection, and support from those around him. What matters most is that Ward has the space and resources to make the right call-not just for his football career, but for his life beyond the field.