“Today I came back to Pittsburgh to grant Steelers Nation its one last request. Today, I am officially retiring as a Pittsburgh Steeler.” - Hines WardJust a few short weeks ago, Hines Ward was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He said that he got some interest from other teams, but never seriously spoke with any because it just would not be the same as playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And I agree, it wouldn't be the same to see him wearing #86 in different colors that the Steelers' Black & Gold.
In the back of the room were former teammates James Harrison, Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, and Jerome Bettis. In 2005, after the Steelers lost the AFC Championship Game, a teary eyed Ward spoke to the media expressing his hopes that Jerome Bettis would not retire but come back for one final go-around for a chance to win that elusive Super Bowl ring. Bettis indeed came back, and the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. Hines Ward won Super Bowl MVP.
Hines Ward was the 14th wide receiver taken in the 1998 NFL Rookie Draft. The Steelers chose Georgia's jack-of-all-trades wide receiver in the third round, the 98th overall pick. He ended his career as the Steelers leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), and receiving touchdowns (85). Not bad for a third round pick that played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver in college.
He was also a vicious blocker he laid out other team's players if given the chance. The NFL instituted a rule on blindside blocks that was nicknamed the "Hines Ward Rule" because of a blindside block he laid on Bengal's linebacker Keith Rivers that left him with a broken jaw. In a 2008 game against the Ravens, there was supposedly a bounty on his head by Baltimore players to take him out of the game. This was due to the blocks Ward had laid on their players in the past. It's safe to say that if you're head wasn't on a swivel, Ward would make sure to try to knock your head off.
He also wasn't what has become your typical diva wide receiver. He came to work every day to play hard and tough. He played with the mentality of a linebacker. I don't ever remember him complaining about not getting enough touches like some other receivers. Ward also played most of his career in a run-oriented offense.
In the end, Hines Ward was the epitome of what it meant to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. And now, he can say he will always be remembered as one. It can be said that he played for just one team his entire career, and that's something that is rarely said about players these days. Steelers Nation loves Hines Ward, and he loves us back. It's a unique bond that Steelers players have with the fans. And now we can say that the relationship was never broken.
I can't wait to be sitting on the field in Canton, OH in a few years as Hines Ward is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, wearing my black #86 jersey and waving my yellow Terrible Towel.
Hines Ward, forever a Steeler.
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