Hines Ward to Retire

[Aso]

Free agent Hines Ward announced Tuesday he is retiring from the NFL after 14 seasons.
In an emotional press conference, the career Steeler said he considered trying to latch on elsewhere following his February release, but that he ultimately had no interest in wearing another uniform. "I can say I am a Steeler for life. And that's the bottom line," Ward said. "That's all I really wanted to do." It's possible Ward didn't receive a single phone call after seeing what little remained of his separation skills disappear last season, but he'll go down as an icon for a franchise that has many of them. A fearsome blocker, he will retire with exactly 1,000 career catches to go along with 12,083 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns. One of the toughest — sometimes dirtiest — players of his era, Ward has a shot at one day seeing his bust in Canton.

I knew he was done

[Fappin Raptor]

 

[red33]

HOF or not?

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Awesome, complete player.

There are very few WRs that could say they had a skill set like Hines Ward. That dude would line up as a fullback for the Steelers on occasion. Come in on crack backs. All while accumulating great stats.

Awesome player.

[Aso]

I gotta lean towards no for the HOF.

[Blick]

Loved the way he blocked and cracked back on LB's. Rare to see a WR who loves to hit like that. Reminded me of the way I played back in the day (strictly from a blocking standpoint). Never understood the hate some have for him.

[RosettaStoned]

He will get in the HOF I believe. Steelers leading receiver, has the numbers, two rings, Superbowl MVP...

[Juggernaut]

Loved the way he blocked and cracked back on LB's. Rare to see a WR who loves to hit like that. Reminded me of the way I played back in the day (strictly from a blocking standpoint). Never understood the hate some have for him.

Probably because he was doing the blocking against their teams. I remember he cracked the fuck out of one Jet player, hated him for doing that but I remember complaining that none of our players played like he did.

Good player, hell of a person.

[krulmichael]

Part of me sees Pittsburgh signing him sometime this season again...

[inthecards21]

For sure HOF, more receptions, yards, and TDs than Stallworth and Swann, best blocking WR ever, Two rings, one SB MVP. To me it's a no-brainer

[Tengo Juego]

Definitely a Hall of Famer.

[Guest]

Probably because he was doing the blocking against their teams. I remember he cracked the fuck out of one Jet player, hated him for doing that but I remember complaining that none of our players played like he did.

Good player, hell of a person.

Exactly. Rare to see that kind of complete player. Most receivers are too afraid of getting hurt to do that any more. Ward and Terrell Owens were rare in that respect- they had no problem getting out there and putting a block on someone.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

If his peers had any say to whether or not he is a Hall of Fame player...he'd be voted first ballot. They respected the hell out of him and hated the living hell out of him. He was circled every week planning against the Steelers.

I am not sure he was considered a legitimate top wide out in the league by the masses, which probably keeps him out of the Hall of Fame, but by his peers, I think they would punch his ticket and his face.

[Rayman]

Did Hines display a chink in the armor?


































I'm just playin', he had a great career. Tough SOB played the way I'd like all players to play.

[KnightNoles]

Farewell Hines

Business part hated how the Steelers did it but had too. Respect that he decided to hang it up as a Steeler and probably realized that he wasn't going to get offered and produce for another team.