The Steelers didn’t make a lot of noise about it, but one move that you have to love is the team making sure there would be no issues with veteran wide out Hines Ward. The Steelers and Ward got a 5-year deal done that was announced the morning of the draft. It was a deal that will mean that Ward, the team’s all-time leading receiver, will retire in black and gold.
“It’s a big honor for me to start my career here and evidently end my career here,” Ward said this past weekend. “I couldn’t be happier.” And if you love the Steelers, you should be thrilled that the team won’t have to go through an issue with Ward like they did in year’s past with players like Rod Woodson, Kevin Greene, Eric Green, Neil O’Donnell, and even Alan Faneca, who all left at one point or another for greener pastures through free agency.
Ward’s deal was set to expire at the end of 2009, but now he’ll be around as long as his body allows him to be. “Especially for how my career started, this is a huge accomplishment,” Ward said. “For me, I really don’t want to put on another uniform. That was never my intention, never my goal. To assure I will always wear a black and gold uniform, I’m relieved.”
So should Steeler Nation, as well as the franchise that gave Ward a chance. It’s one that has paid off for both sides, and will continue to do for the forseeable future.
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David
May 5, 2009 at 6:31 pm
this is a great move by the steelers.
David
May 9, 2009 at 2:37 pm
THE STEELERS DID WELL IN THIS SITUATION WITH WARD. THIS GUY WILL GO DOWN WITH THE BEST RECIEVERS IN STEELERS HISTORY, AND I WOULD PUT HINES WARD A NOTCH ABOVE STALLWARTH, AND SWANN JUST FOR THE PHYSICALITY WARD BROUGHT TO THE NFL TABLE. WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT, WARD DEMOSTRATED PROFESSIONALISM AT ITS BEST, HE EPTOMISED LEADERSHIP, PATIENCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL, AND ABOVE ALL, UNSELFLESSNESS IN HIS QUEST TO BECOME THE BEST, AND MR. HINES WARD, I DAVID BROCK SALUTE YOUR ENTIRE NFL CARREER IN PITTSBURGH. THANK YOU.
David
May 9, 2009 at 2:45 pm
WHEN I WAS 15, AND THAT WAS 30 YEARS AGO, I WAS ABLE TO WITNESS A DYNASTY IN THE MAKING, AS IT HAPPENED REAL TIME. I CONSIDER MYSELF ONE OF THE LUCKIEST MILLIONS OF STEELERS FAN TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT ALL UNFOLD. DAYS ARE GONE WITH THE LIKES OF BLOUNT,LAMBERT,HAM,SHELL,GREENE, BLIER, HARRIS, SWANN, STALWARTH,BRADSHAW,BELL,FURNESS,WEBSTER,SHELL,THE HALL OF FAME LIST GOES ON, AND ON. IN TODAYS STEELERS, THIS FRANCHISED STEELERS SEEM TO BE ABLE TO KEEP KEY COMPONENTS AND DRAFT WITH INSIGHT, AND WITH THE FUTURE INMIND. WE LOOK FORWARD 20 YEARS FROM NOW TO WITNESSING GREAT NEW PLAYERS INDUCTED, AND APPRECIEATED FOR ABOVE AND BEYOUND PERFORMANCES. I AM A STEELER FAN FOR LIFE, BLACK AND GOLD RUNS THROUGH MY VAINS, AND MY HEART BEATS TO THE , HERE WE GO STEELERS’ MATRA.