CLEVELAND — A Cleveland Browns star teamed up with family and fans to raise funds for a cause close to his heart.

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward hosted a charity Madden video game tournament Friday at Saucy Brew Works for the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation. 

He started the nonprofit in honor of his late father, Paul Ward Jr., who suddenly died from cardiac arrest. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of knowing CPR and how to potentially save someone’s life. 

“We do it just so hopefully we can avoid other tragedies and situations happening in other peoples’ lives that happened to us,” Denzel said. “So, that’s really the main goal. So, I mean, it’s fun doing these events and everyone coming out and being able to enjoy themselves and it being for a great cause.”

Denzel’s parents were high school sweethearts and were married for almost 20 years. 

“He was a man that was full of life and he loved life,” said Nicole Ward, Denzel’s mom. “He lived it to the fullest. He worked hard and he also played hard.”

As a principal in the Bedford community, she said her husband was well-known and respected. 

“Just human and kind to people, and just willing to give back,” Nicole said. “And those are traits that we tried to also instill in our boys.”

Paul suffered a cardiac arrest during a spin exercise class, unaware he had a heart condition. 

“When you looked at him, you would think he was that one that was an example of what true fitness was,” Nicole said. 

She said no one at the fitness center performed CPR or used an automated external defibrillator to attempt to revive her husband until first responders arrived. 

“The fact is, if someone would have done that, the chances of his survival would have been a lot greater,” she said. 

Paul died at 46 years old, missing Denzel’s debut in the NFL as a first-round draft pick for the Cleveland Browns, and Paul Ward III’s success as an entrepreneur. 

“He would be so excited and he would be so proud,” said Nicole. “He is proud. I know he’s looking down on the boys and everything that they’re doing.”

They’re doing something their dad told them often: “Make them know your name.”

“Just make sure that you’re doing something positive to represent the Ward name and know whatever you do outside of this house, it represents us as a family,” Nicole said. 

Paul’s legacy is living on through those words and the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation. Funds raised go toward increasing awareness about how to perform CPR and use AEDs. The group also donates AED machines to youth athletic facilities, schools, churches and other public places. 

According to the American Heart Association, a person’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest can increase by 90% if someone provides CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive. 

“Even if it’s just one family that doesn’t have to go through what we had to go through, knowing that cardiac arrest is preventable, then we feel like we’ve accomplished our goal,” Nicole said.