BREAKING: Omg Joel Ward Fulfilled the Promise He Made to God Before Winning the FA Cup and Donates His Entire $25.5 Million Bonus and Endorsement Deal to Charities and the Homeless Due to… (Class Art)
In a world where headlines are often dominated by scandal and ego, one story has stunned fans and inspired millions.
Joel Ward, the beloved and fiercely humble defender for Crystal Palace, has not only helped his team achieve an unforgettable FA Cup victory, but he’s also delivered on a deeply personal promise that no one knew he had made—until now.
Ward, 35, revealed in a heartfelt post-match interview that before the final whistle blew, before the roaring fans erupted at Wembley, and even before his perfectly timed block in stoppage time that sealed the win—he made a promise to God.
“If You help me win this final,” Ward had whispered during his quiet moment in the locker room, “I will give everything I earn from this victory to those in need. Not a penny will go to me.”
And he meant it.
Just days after lifting the FA Cup trophy, Ward followed through in a staggering act of selflessness. He donated the entirety of his $25.5 million bonus—including performance incentives and new endorsement deals from major brands like Nike, EA Sports, and SkyBet—to charities focused on homelessness, mental health, and underprivileged youth across the UK.
When asked why, Ward simply said: “It all came back to a piece of art I saw in my niece’s school—Class 4B at St. Michael’s. It was a crayon drawing called ‘Everyone Deserves a Home’. It had stick figures under cardboard boxes, little hearts above their heads. I looked at it for 10 seconds and burst into tears. I realized football is a gift, but giving is the goal.”
His donation will fund over 40 homeless shelters, 1000 housing placements, and 3 new education centers named “The Ward Way” in Croydon, Manchester, and Liverpool.
Fans and fellow players have flooded social media with admiration. Teammate Wilfried Zaha tweeted: “He’s not just our backbone on the pitch—he’s the soul off it. Legend.”
In a time of rising costs and growing division, Joel Ward’s gesture is a powerful reminder that even in elite sports, compassion can still win the day.
And maybe—just maybe—it all started with a crayon drawing in Class 4B.