Ex-NFL Star Derrick Ward Dodges Jail, Gets Sent to Mental Health Rehab Instead

Former Super Bowl champion Derrick Ward, accused of a serious crime connected to allegations of robbery, was placed in a mental health diversion program.

Therefore, the former player will not spend any time in prison. It was announced in a report that the former NFL player, charged with robbing Los Angeles-area businesses-has agreed to get two years of mental health treatment instead.

Court Ruling on Mental Health Diversion

According to legal documents, on Oct. 10, the court ordered Ward to join a mental health treatment program. For his two-year diversion program, he will be going for treatment at "Find Your Balance Center" and "Brain Health USA Center." Except for the treatment plan, he shall not have any deadly weapons and face legal troubles during the period, TMZ reports.

Charges and Background

In Los Angeles, the 44-year-old was accused of robbing businesses, including gas stations, with force and intimidation and charged with five counts of felony robbery against him. If convicted, the charges may carry serious prison time.

Ward, who played as running back for the New York Giants, pleaded not guilty to charges in court late yesterday afternoon. He is perhaps best known for his role in helping the Giants win Super Bowl XLII by beating Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots.

Road to Recovery

Ward will be rehabilitated under this judgment as a part of the mental health diversion program. This is considered to be the approach taken towards deinstitutionalizing the judicial system's treatment of psychological diseases, allowing a person such as him to heal and return to society without having to spend years incarcerated.

If the program is completed and all legal conditions are met, Ward will be given a chance to live without further consequences.

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