Former Super Bowl champ Derrick Ward pictured in court as he pleads NOT guilty to a string of alleged robberies

Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward appeared in court Thursday after he was arrested over a series of alleged robberies. 

Ward, who was part of the Giants team that beat Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII in 2008, was arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court. 

Photos obtained exclusively by Mail Sport show the 43-year-old wearing a long-sleeve grey sweater while entering a plea of not guilty. 

He was seen crossing his arms as he sat beside his attorney, Zachary C. Begle, and holding his hands up to his face. 

Ward was arrested last December in connection with the robbery of multiple businesses, including gas stations, TMZ reported at the time. 

Derrick Ward appeared in court following his arrest for a series of alleged robberies last year

The former New York Giants running back pled not guilty, less than 5 months after his arrest

He crossed his arms while sitting beside his attorney, Zachary C. Begle, in the courthouse 

Ward, pictured in 2004, played in the NFL for eight seasons between 2004 and 2011

Police said the former athlete didn't use a gun in any of his alleged robberies, but he is accused of using 'force' and 'fear' to take money from the stores. 

His bail was set at $250,000.

Ward played in the NFL for eight seasons between 2004 and 2011, spending time with the New York Jets, the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans.

He was the Jets' seventh-round pick of the 2004 draft, before he inked a $17million contract with the Buccaneers half a decade later. 

The charges are believed to relate to the robbery of multiple businesses, including gas stations

Ward, selected in the 2004 draft, was arrested in December and his bail was set at $250,000

Throughout his career, Ward played in 93 games, carrying for a total of 2,628 yards and ending with 15 touchdowns.

Although he was part of the Super Bowl-winning team in 2008, the embattled former athlete was sidelined for the season finale due to a fractured left leg. 

'(It was) one of the hardest experiences I've ever been through,' he told the New York Post at the time. 

'Being able to finally do something in the league and help contribute to the season we had and that not be able to play in the Super Bowl, I always dreamed about that when I was a little kid,' he continued. 

'I was just excited my teammates got me a Super Bowl ring.'

The former Super Bowl champion allegedly used 'force' and 'fear,' TMZ reported at the time

Ward played for four NFL teams across eight seasons between 2004 and 2011

He was part of the Giants team that beat Tom Brady and the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII