A Much Deserved Tribute to Hines Ward

It’s understandable that most of the Steeler Nation woke up this morning paying homage to Troy Polamalu and the defense. Yesterday was the kind of dominant, game changing performance we’ve grown accustomed to from that unit; sadly the kind that was missing for most of last season.

As for the offense, well that’s a different story.

Yes, he Steelers did exactly what we thought they had to do with Dennis Dixon at QB. They simplified the game plan and focused on the run. They did not let Dixon beat them with his arm, nor help them with his legs. If Dixon had chucked a few more balls in to the stands, we might have thought him a sleeker, modern version of Neil O’Donnell.

Amazingly, even with all those limitation, the best wide receiver in the NFL over the last decade had another huge day. And no, Randy Moss did not sign with the Steelers before Sunday’s game.

In all seriousness, has there ever been a more underrated superstar in Pittsburgh sports history than Hines Ward? With all due respect to Max Talbot of course.

I can already hear the laughter and dismissal from football fans everywhere. If I asked 1,000 non Steeler fans who was the best WR in the NFL the last decade, I doubt #86 would get a single vote. Well read carefully before you laugh my friends.

Hines Ward is a player who can not be adequately measured with statistics; at least not until they have stats for downfield blocking, decleating hits and locker room leadership. So I’m somewhat reluctant to show them here; lest we lose site of the bigger picture. That being said, looking at his stats gives some necessary historical perspective on his greatness.

One game in to his 13th NFL season, Ward eclipsed 900 catches and 11,000 yards. To put that in context consider what that translates to for an average season:

· Full career – 75 Catches, 912 Yards, 12.2 Avg, 7 TDs
· Last 9+ years (his prime) – 86 receptions, 1,043 yards, 12.2 Avg, 7 TDs

For a bit more perspective, Ward’s 901 receptions rank 12th best in NFL history. If he plays four more years and averages 52 catches per season, he will finish with the second most receptions in NFL history, at least as we stand today. That’s pretty amazing but here is another dish of shocking perspective.

John Stallworth and Lynn Swan, the two HALL OF FAME Steeler wide receivers combined…COMBINED…to catch 873 balls in their NFL careers, for 14,185 yards. Ward has already caught more balls then the two of them and could conceivably retire with more yardage as well.

I’m well aware that the NFL game has changed exponentially from 1974 to 1998. Comparing Ward to those guys is hardly apples to apples. Still, it gives you some idea of how productive Ward has been. And let’s not forget, that for most of his career in Pittsburgh, the Steelers were the NFL’s predominant running team. Yesterday’s game was a stark reminder that Ward get’s it done whether his QB is a future hall of famer or a struggling former 5th round draft pick.

Seriously, what do you think Ward could have done if he, Ben, and Bruce Arians came in to the league together?

Here are a few other numbers that are even more telling when considering a player who truly should not be measured by stats (again over 12+ years):

· Games missed – 6
· Fumbles – 10 (or about 1 season for Adrian Peterson)
· Steelers record – 117-75-1 (regular season); 10-4 (playoffs)
· Super Bowl XL MVP

Oh and did I mention that he played in Super Bowl XLIII, two weeks after sustaining a knee injury that should have ended his season.

Getting the point?

What’s truly amazing about Ward is his consistency. He’s tallied 94 or more receptions 4 times, plus two other seasons over 80 and two more over 70. He’s accumulated over 1,000 yards receiving six times and has been at 975 or higher in eight of the last nine seasons. I doubt you’ll find that kind of consistency from Chad OchoStinko or Terrell Owens. During that time he’s never once tried to run his QB out of town or publically questioned their sexuality.

And again, this is a player whose best attributes are truly difficult to quantify. Ward quite literally leaves everything on the field every week. There are so many paycheck players in sports today. Hines Ward will never be one of them. I doubt the Steelers have ever gotten less than a full effort from him. Moreover, you get the feeling that he genuinely loves playing in the NFL and especially being a Pittsburgh Steeler. We’ve grown accustomed to Ward hopping off the turf grinning from ear to ear after making a great catch, often after taking a bone jarring hit.

Ward’s biggest problem is he refuses to self promote. If he ran his mouth incessantly like T.O. or Keyshawn Johnson or was self absorbed and pouty like Randy Moss, maybe he would get more attention. Did you notice how much coverage ESPN focused on Moss, T.O., and OchoDufus yesterday? All Ward did was catch 6 balls for over 100 yards including one spectacular catch in the third quarter; all while playing with a third string QB.

Ward spent the day helping and mentoring Dixon. Moss spent the day crying about his contract. How many lousy games can Carson Palmer player before his loud mouthed WR duo turns on him?

Do you think the Steelers would have traded Ward in his prime for Moss and a first round pick? I’m guessing no way.

Remember how Plexico Burress was supposed to be the star receiver and Ward the side kick? How did that work out? Throw out the fact that Burress is an imbecile and Ward is one of the classiest players in the league off the field. Just remember that when the Steelers needed a big catch from Burress in the 2005 AFC Championship game, he dropped an easy touchdown.

Ward sometimes takes grief for opening his mouth too much, such as when he publically criticized Ben last year for not playing against Baltimore. I did not agree with his stance on the issue; but I never doubted his passion or desire. I wonder though if we have a bit of a different perspective on Ward’s comments given the ‘pay no attention to the man behind the curtain’ revealing of Ben in the last 12 months. And let’s not forget who walked on to the field with Ben on the first day of training camp this year.

Ward sometimes takes criticism for his open field hits on linebackers. I’ve heard him called a blind side, cheap shot artist. I wonder how many of those same people would kill to have Ward on his team. I wonder how many yards Bettis and Willie Parker owe to Ward’s tenacious down field blocking.

Some players talk a great game; Ward plays one. Ever wonder why the “Steeler way” has worked so well for the last decade plus? It has a lot to do with the example set by the team leaders. Ward is without question one of those guys.

Ward is not the guy who catches 80 yard touchdowns in September. He’s the guy who catches 7 balls in traffic that move the chains in December and January. That’s how he manages to have 80 receptions and 1,000 yards every year for a run oriented franchise and never get his due nationally. So be it.

What’s amazing is Ward does not always get his full due in the Steel City. Would he be on your list of the five greatest Steelers of all time? How about ten? I’m sure many people would still have him 3rd beyond Swann and Stallworth as the team’s best wide receiver. Quite honestly, I’m not sure that’s fair, especially since Ward is a guy who could play in any era. Do you have any doubt he would have succeeded in the 70’s with DBs draped all over him? I don’t. I think he would have loved it.

I’m not trying to deify Ward. He’s not perfect on or off the field. I am trying to point out a great player and a solid human being; exactly the type that is too often ignored in today’s NFL. It’s amazing how often Ward is ignored; unless a pansy Bengal or loud mouthed Raven is griping about him. The guy is the definition of a football player, especially a Pittsburgh Steeler. He’s the one wide receiver any football players would want to go to battle with.

The Steeler Nation devoted the entire 2005 season to celebrating Bettis. I wonder what they will do when #86 has his last hurrah? The day he leaves there will be a cavernous hole to fill for the black and gold.

There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the black and gold this season, especially until #7 is back behind center. Thankfully, Hines Ward is one player they don’t have to worry about.