Former Giants Super Bowl champion running back Derrick Ward entered a plea of not guilty at his court appearance Wednesday in Los Angeles following his arrest for multiple accused robberies.
He is now scheduled to return to court for his preliminary hearing on Feb. 8.
Ward, 43, was arrested in Los Angeles on Dec. 18 and is accused of robbing several businesses, including gas stations, according to TMZ.
Police said the former running back did not use a gun in his alleged robberies, but he is accused of using force and fear to take money from businesses.
His bail was set at $250,000.
Ward spent eight seasons in the NFL from 2004-11, and is most known for his time with the Giants from 2004-08. He also played for the Buccaneers and Texans.
He found his footing from 2007-08 as part of the “Earth, Wind and Fire” backfield alongside Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.
Ward averaged 4.8 yards per rushing attempt during the 2007 season, although he missed the Giants' upset win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII due to a fractured left fibula.
“One of the hardest experiences I've ever been through,” Ward told The Post at the time about missing the famous Super Bowl run. “Being able to finally do something in the league and help contribute to the season we had and that not be able to play in the Super Bowl, I always dreamed about that when I was a little kid. I was just excited my teammates got me a Super Bowl ring.”
Ward rushed for a career-high 1,025 yards and averaged 5.6 rushing yards per attempt in 2008, which landed him a four-year, $17 million contract with the Buccaneers.
Ward finished his career with 2,628 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.
Tiki Barber, who played alongside Ward from 2004-06, was saddened to hear of Ward's arrest.
Barber said he talked to Ward about eight months ago, and his former teammate told him he was working behind the scenes in the movie business.
“It's just sad to hear,” Barber recently told The Post. “He was from a rough environment and it felt like he was at a point in his life where he escaped it. It's shocking because I feel like he got his life right. ”
