Cam Ward Honors His Mother’s Legacy — Turns Childhood Home into $5.9M Youth Empowerment Center in Prairie View
A powerful act of purpose from the NFL’s rising star. “Patrice’s Place” opens this fall to uplift underserved youth.
[PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS] — NFL quarterback and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward is making headlines off the field with a gesture rooted in gratitude, love, and legacy. Ward announced that he has transformed his childhood home in Prairie View, Texas, into a $5.9 million youth empowerment and mentorship center, named “Patrice’s Place” in honor of his mother, Patrice Ward.
The center will serve as a safe haven for underserved youth in Waller County and surrounding areas—offering after-school programs, athletic training, college prep resources, and mentorship opportunities. The project fulfills a lifelong dream of his mother, a longtime educator and high school basketball coach, who spent more than two decades guiding young people in both the classroom and on the court.
“My mom spent her life pouring into others,” said Ward. “This is my way of making sure her legacy continues—by creating a space where kids can believe in themselves the same way she always believed in me.”
Ward, who rose from a zero-star recruit at Incarnate Word to college football stardom at Washington State and Miami, often credits his success to his parents’ unwavering support. His mother, Patrice, was in the stands for every game, and her lessons of discipline, focus, and compassion shaped his journey.
“Patrice’s Place” is slated to open this fall and will also host sports clinics, mental health workshops, and community events, all free of charge. The initiative is backed by the Cam Ward Foundation, which is also partnering with local schools and churches to identify at-risk youth who would benefit most from the center’s programs.
“In every game I’ve played, she was in the crowd,” Ward said. “Now, every kid who walks through those doors will know someone believes in them too.”
For Ward, this is more than a facility—it’s a fulfillment of purpose. And in true quarterback fashion, he’s leading with vision, heart, and a deep respect for the woman who helped shape him into the man he is today.
