Why Ward Should Retire as a Steeler
For 14 seasons, Hines Ward has put up Hall of Fame numbers as a receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This past season, Ward became the eighth player in NFL history to record 1,000 receptions, to go along with 12,083 career receiving yards and 85 touchdowns.
This stellar career has put the former University of Georgia product in the elite company of other Steeler receivers, like Hall of Famers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
Economically, keeping Ward would work for Pittsburgh simply because he has publicly said that he is willing to take a pay cut in order to stay in a Steelers uniform next season. This move would free up some salary cap room to bring in some much needed help during the upcoming offseason.
But aside from the money, the Steelers should just honor what Ward has done for them during his NFL career. He has contributed in helping lead Pittsburgh to three Super Bowl appearances, winning two of them and being named Super Bowl MVP once. In addition, Ward has only missed seven regular season games in his entire career, further proving that he is one of the toughest players to ever play in the NFL.
A player of this caliber does not deserve to end his professional career wearing another uniform. Just look at what Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did to Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Just because he didn’t want to honor what Smith did for that franchise and to make sure that the last time he carried a football was in a Cowboys uniform, Smith’s storybook ending resulted in him wearing Arizona Cardinals red the last time he set foot onto a football field. The Rooney family should do everything in their power to make sure that Hines Ward ends his NFL career the right way.
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I totally agree that Hines should retire a Steeler. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and was a fan when we could not win a game.I remember as a Cub scout(1961-63)we got in free if we ushered the games ((Pitt Stadium).I love my Steelers with all my heart…hear this!If they disrespect Hines I will lose total respect for my beloved team. Do the right thing!!!