Hines Ward news conference

[Brinker]

According to PFT a news conference has been called for the steelers to announce that Hines is retiring.

[jonzr]

I'm glad he's retiring a Steeler, one of the all-time greats.  Perhaps the lack of interest in FA lent some perspective and helped him to the decision.

[Finnegans Wake]

HOF.

One of the greatest Stillers ever, no doubt.

:jawbreaker:

[aj_law]

*whew*

Couldn't stand the thought of seeing him in another uniform.

[otismalibu]

Hines Ward-Ultimate Career Highlights

[pensodyssey]

I wouldn't call that "ultimate" career highlights.  No one-shoed gallop through the Falcons secondary, no hit on Rivers.  I'd give it 3 Proberts out of 5.

On the other hand, from 1.30 to 1.35 of the clip you can see the entirety of Tommy Maddox' career highlights.

[Finnegans Wake]

I wouldn't call that "ultimate" career highlights.  No one-shoed gallop through the Falcons secondary, no hit on Rivers.  I'd give it 3 Proberts out of 5.

On the other hand, from 1.30 to 1.35 of the clip you can see the entirety of Tommy Maddox' career highlights.

Funny, just posted a short on Facebook and the one-shoe and the hit on Rivers were the two quick highlights that came to mind...

Hines Ward retires 18th in receiving yards (12,083) from 1998-2011, with one Super Bowl MVP (XL) and 4-time Pro-Bowler. Unlike "elite" receivers of his era who played in offense-friendly systems, Ward had QBs like Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak, Kent freakin' Graham, and Tommy Maddox throwing him the pigskin the first half (6 years) of his career. And even with Big Ben throwing the ball, the Steelers were largely a "3 yards and a cloud of dust" team until recently.

Compare to Randy Moss (14,858, with Vikings, Raiders, Patriots, Titans, 49ers, 1998-2010, 2012-; and Terrell Owens, 15, 934, with 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills, and Bengals, 1996-2010). Those guys put up more yardage, but in context of what Ward had to work with he fought tooth and nail for every yard he got, unlike his fellow prima donnas. He was also THE premier blocking back possibly ever.

Favorite moments: Hines outruns Falcon DeAngelo Hall for a 74-yard TD... with one shoe. And Hines breaks Bengals LB Keith River's jaw on a legal run block. My image of Hines is him taking a nasty hit and jumping up smiling, making the first down motion, because he got the tough yardage when push came to shove.

[VaBchSteelersfan]

I'm glad he's retiring a Steeler, one of the all-time greats.  Perhaps the lack of interest in FA lent some perspective and helped him to the decision.

I truly think that in this social media age, the desire of the fans to see Hines retire a Steeler played a much bigger factor. He went out as the ultimate class act.  

Otis, keep that avatar, it's one of my favorite Hines pics!

[otismalibu]

I think there's a hint of the Rivers hit at 1:07

You'd also need a few of Hines fighting his way into the EZ when contact came between the 5 & 10.

[Finnegans Wake]

I think there's a hint of the Rivers hit at 1:07

You'd also need a few of Hines fighting his way into the EZ when contact came between the 5 & 10.

True dat.  Smell of blood.

[Big Virgil]

One of my favorites was against the Eagles.  I think he took off from about the 5 yard line, up and over guys, and landed in the endzone.

#1 favorite was in the clip.  Straight up on Reed and knocked him out.  Called to the bench for them to come get that sh!t off the field.

One catch in the clip vs NE Ward was showin off some wheels.  What a bad @ss.

[otismalibu]

One of my favorites was against the Eagles.  I think he took off from about the 5 yard line, up and over guys, and landed in the endzone.

Wasn't that from the Eagles game they played a week after beating the Pats on Halloween?

[give'emthaboot]

One of my favorites was against the Eagles.  I think he took off from about the 5 yard line, up and over guys, and landed in the endzone.

Wasn't that from the Eagles game they played a week after beating the Pats on Halloween?

I believe that is correct.  One of the best back-to-back weeks in recent memory. They've rarely been an underdog in a game since.

[Big Virgil]

Not sure if it was after a Halloween game, but I think it was the week after the Steelers killed the Patsies win streak at 20 games er somtn. 

[aj_law]

I wouldn't call that "ultimate" career highlights.  No one-shoed gallop through the Falcons secondary, no hit on Rivers.  I'd give it 3 Proberts out of 5.

On the other hand, from 1.30 to 1.35 of the clip you can see the entirety of Tommy Maddox' career highlights.

You'd also need a few of Hines fighting his way into the EZ when contact came between the 5 & 10.

Yeah, exactly motherfucking these.  Meant to post about it yesterday, but got pulled into two meetings and forgot.

Hines Ward Career Highlight

3:20 was one of my favs.

Other notable clips:  4:54; 5:01; 5:35; 5:40.

The 10K grab is still gut wrenching to watch.  Only BA would script a shovel pass destined to fail for that milestone.

Peace out, #86.  You will be greatly missed.

[jasonic]

What do you think the over/under is on Ward becoming WR coach?  Or is he leaning more towards TV analyst?

[jonzr]

What do you think the over/under is on Ward becoming WR coach?  Or is he leaning more towards TV analyst?

He has his eye on Rodney Harrison's job I betcha.

:blockedagain:

[SCacalaki]

Remember when KS2002 wanted the Steelers to extend Burress instead of Ward? /snicker

[pensodyssey]

Remember when KS2002 wanted the Steelers to extend Burress instead of Ward? /snicker

He wasn't the only one.  Dr. Johnny Fever argued loud and long during Ward's holdout to let him walk.