General Manager
"Soft-spoken general manager Al Ward begins his third year as one of the engineers behind the Jets' drive to become a winner.
He was instrumental in getting new head coach Walt Michaels to return to New York in 1976 as defensive coordinator after Michaels had served three seasons as chief defensive aide with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ward is a product of the the highly successful Dallas Cowboys franchise, where he rose from Director of Public Relations to Vice-President of Administration (assistant general manager) under Cowboy chief Tex Schramm.
Appointed Jets' general manager on February 13, 1975, Ward is charged with the responsibilities of negotiating player contracts, booking preseason games, handling radio and preseason television agreements, administering the training complex at Hofstra University and working with Michaels on trades and player development.
Ward began his pro football career as director of public relations for the American Football League when it was based in Dallas, from 1960 through 1962. When the league moved its offices to New York, Ward became director of public relations for the Southwest Conference and the Cotton Bowl until rejoining the AFL in 1965 as director of promotions.
He joined the Cowboys after the 1965 season as director of public relations and became assistant general manager to Schramm in 1966. He was named vice-president in 1972.
Ward was born October 24, 1927 in Brownsville, Texas."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
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