Ward's breakout season came in 2001 when he set a franchise record with 94 receptions; he then obliterated that mark in 2002 when he finished with 112 catches. The black and gold runs deep in me and I will remain a Steeler for life," said Ward while sporting a black and gold tie during his emotional farewell.Ward, 36, was cut by the Steelers earlier this month. "Today, I'm officially retiring a Pittsburgh Steeler," Ward said. "I just told him that his true value is always having a Steeler helmet attached to him. Both averaged more passes per season than the Steelers in their time as NFL teams. By the time he retired he was one of the 8 NFL players that had 1000 or more career receptions. An emotional Hines Ward announced Tuesday that he would retire from football, a week after the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver was granted free agency. The former "Dancing With the Stars" champion could have a lucrative postseason career in front of a camera -- he worked the red carpet during the Oscars -- but he maintained after his release he could still contribute. Click Like To Become A Fan Of WTAE On Facebook:Goodbye, Hines! You mean the world," Ward said to his longtime teammates. Share your favorite Hines Ward photos on u local ... Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. His 1,000 career catches rank eighth all-time and he is one of two players with at least 1,000 receptions and two Super Bowl rings. With a place on the all-time Pittsburgh Steelers team, Ward has done many things from the sports he loved to his business and movie appearances. "I want my legacy here to say, 'He was one hell of a football player who gave it his all,'" he said. "I want to go down as one of the greats to wear the black and gold and that's how it should end," Ward said. 70. "I told Mike you may get a chance to go other places but there's not another place like Pittsburgh," Ward said. He announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after a great 14-year career playing receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. ... Hines Ward … Certainly not for Ward. His No. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. One of the most respected players in the league because of his contributions on and off the field, Ward leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. He left with career statistics that merit Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration -- 12,083 yards, 85 touchdowns and 1,000 receptions, franchise records all. Over time, the Steelers evolved from the grind-it-out attack that has been the club's identity for decades. But offensive assistant Hines Ward plans to celebrate like a champion if they can beat his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Sunday. March 20, 2012 -- Hines Ward’s time with the National Football League came to an end on March 20, 2012, when Ward announced his retirement. Former teammates Jerome Bettis, Aaron Smith, James Harrison and Brett Keisel were there on Tuesday to watch Ward's retirement announcement, along with Steelers president Art Rooney II, chairman Dan Rooney, general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin. That's all I ever really wanted," Ward said. The former third-round pick out of Georgia was due to make $4 million next season, an expensive option for a player whose role diminished significantly in 2011 when he finished with 46 receptions, the fewest since his rookie season in 1998. Ward played his entire professional career for the Steelers and he became th… He played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Ward says he was contacted by several clubs but never had any formal discussions. "I want my legacy here to say, you know what he was one hell of a football player who gave it his all," Ward said. "Ward had six 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 29 games of 100 yards or more. Ward, 36, was cut by the Steelers earlier this month. And they're part of an offense that didn't exist when Ward made his debut 14 years ago. The black and gold runs deep in me and I will remain a Steeler for life," said Ward while sporting a black and gold tie during his emotional farewell. He wasn't willing to do it, however, outside Pittsburgh. Ward laughed when asked if he could go into coaching one day, taking a jab at coach Mike Tomlin, who isn't sure how Ward's passion would play in the locker room. "I know the wideouts are going to be in great hands," he said. "He'll come to appreciate it more and more that he made the right decision and retired a lifetime Steeler," said Bettis.Ward said he doesn't have any regrets in his career and that he hopes Pittsburgh is always a place he can come back to and still feel a part of the organization. Hines Ward net worth: Hines Ward is a retired American football wide receiver who has a net worth of $16 million dollars. "Today, I came back to Pittsburgh to grant Steeler Nation its one last request, so, today, I'm officially retiring as a Pittsburgh Steeler. "No words could express what you mean to me. Texans give J.J. Watt, most beloved player in franchise history, chance to win elsewhere, Ranking Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry's 10 most viral moments, $100 million, 959,860 tests and no cancellations: How the NFL got through the season, Welcome to the NFL offseason: 15 priorities the league needs to figure out, Way-too-early NFL Power Rankings: A 1-32 poll on how we see next season. Pittsburgh's all-time leading receiver said he briefly explored his options as a free agent before realizing that, although he wants to keep playing football, he does not want to do it with any other team, so he's calling it a career, "All in all, I can say I am a Steeler for life, and that's the bottom line. He embraced his role as mentor to Pro Bowlers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown even though he knew they were chewing into his playing time. "He'll come to appreciate it more and more that he made the right decision and retired a lifetime Steeler," said Bettis. "For a guy who's played his entire career in Pittsburgh, I just thought it would be a shame if he put another helmet on for someone else for a year or two. Hines Ward will not be a Hall of Famer anytime soon. So rather than play for a 15th season -- and his first outside the Steel City -- a tearful Ward opted to retire on Tuesday and secure a legacy unmatched in the franchise's long history. Russell retired in 1976 after 12 seasons as a Steeler. "Thank you [Mr. Rooney] for giving a small-town boy from Forest Park, Ga., a chance," Ward said. K.C. He understood where I was coming from but, ultimately, he had to make a decision for himself and I'm just glad he made a great decision. The sun may have set on Steelers WR Hines Ward's career, but it's rising on the next generation of Steelers dominance. He played from 1998-2011 and retired with 1,000 receptions, 85 touchdowns and two Super Bowl rings. Ward holds every significant franchise receiving record, including receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. "I know he will continue to be a leader and example to our men.". That's all I ever really wanted," Ward said. As much as I'll miss football, my teammates, coaches and everything about the game, I don't want to play in any other uniform. Jets' $10 million decision: Is Jamison Crowder a keeper in new offense? "On behalf of the NFL players, I want to congratulate Hines on an extraordinary career," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said. 86 jersey has long been one of the team's top sellers, and his blue-collar attitude rang true to a fan base where hard work is a way of life. After his departure, the Steelers never really filled his shoes for the rest of the years they played a 4–3. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Only one pass came his way, a dart down the sideline by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during Pittsburgh's final drive in regulation. The only player to receive that honor is Ernie Stautner, who wore No. Ward, who has two years left on his contract, said last month that he hasn’t been thinking about retiring, … After 14 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, endearing himself to the blue collar city with his gritty style of play, Hines Ward is calling it quits. Ex-NFL WR Vincent Jackson found dead at 38, WFT adds third ex-GM to revamped front office, Seipel, Browns fan who had wish realized, dies, Doyle resigns from Jags position amid backlash, Texans release Watt; initial interest in DE high, Twins Maurkice, Mike Pouncey retire from NFL, 32 NFL players who need a fresh start this offseason: King, Trubisky, Ertz ... OBJ, Domino effect with Sam Darnold could affect Patriots' QB plans. 86. Ward hoped to get the Steelers their seventh Lombardi Trophy but didn't catch a pass in a 29-23 overtime loss to Denver in the wild-card round of last season's playoffs. Bettis, who retired after a storybook ending with a victory in Super Bowl XL, said there's nothing better than leaving the game a Steeler. You lose some of that mystique," said Bettis. The wide receiver made the announcement at a press conference, saying he didn't want to play for another NFL team. Ward's retirement and Peyton Manning's move to Denver leave one member of the 1998 draft class still with the team that selected him. Hines Ward played on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and from 1998-2011, the only teams that threw fewer passes than Ward’s Steelers were the Browns and Texans, who weren’t teams for the entire 14 year span of Hines Ward’s career. Wide receiver Hines Ward, shown here with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was released by the team three weeks ago. The decision comes three weeks after the 36-year-old was released by the Steelers in a salary cap maneuver. He announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after a great 14-year career playing receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Chicago Bears long-snapper Patrick Mannelly, picked in the sixth round in 1998, is the only player still with the team that drafted him from the Class of '98. Ward said he doesn't have any regrets in his career and that he hopes Pittsburgh is always a place he can come back to and still feel a part of the organization. Miller looked up to Ward as a young rookie, and by the time Miller was ready to retire, he had taken a group of Steelers under his wing in the same way Ward did with him and so many others. "I just told him that his true value is always having a Steeler helmet attached to him. When Hines Ward was speaking at his retirement press conference earlier on Tuesday, he had many kind words for Steelers fans. Denver cornerback Champ Bailey swatted the ball to the ground and Ward walked off the field and into the unknown. Former Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward returned to Steelers headquarters on Tuesday and tearfully announced his retirement from football, saying, "I love Steeler Nation.". For me to put on another uniform, and just hearing the outpouring from fans, Steeler Nation, that meant more to me than anything, so that's why I made the decision that I did today.". Share your favorite Hines Ward photos on u local ... ©2021, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WTAE-TV. Former Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward returned to Steelers headquarters on Tuesday and tearfully announced his retirement from football, saying, "I love Steeler Nation. He announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after a great 14-year career playing receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As much as I'll miss football, my teammates, coaches and everything about the game, I don't want to play in any other uniform. When you leave, you don't quite have that. Ward has already started by urging Wallace to do what he can to remain with the Steelers. "They're full of talent.". As I read them, I was really moved by the tremendous outpouring of love, encouragement and support," said Ward.Pittsburgh's all-time leading receiver said he briefly explored his options as a free agent before realizing that, although he wants to keep playing football, he does not want to do it with any other team, so he's calling it a career"All in all, I can say I am a Steeler for life, and that's the bottom line. A 15-year veteran, Ward holds nearly every receiving record which lies in the mustachioed halls of Pittsburgh Steelers lore. He insists there are no hard feelings for his release, understanding that football is a business. The longtime Pittsburgh wide receiver known for his high-wattage smile and his bone-crunching blocks just couldn't stomach the thought of doing it in some strange uniform on some strange field with nary a Terrible Towel in sight. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XL in 2006, when the Steelers finally captured "one for the thumb" by defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was named the most valuable player of the 2006 Super Bowl after catching five passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 21-10 victory over Seattle, the franchise's first championship in 26 years. "I feel like I have a few more good years in me left," Ward said. He spent most of his first three seasons blocking for running back Jerome Bettis, something he did better than any receiver in the league. As if to prove the point, Ward embraced Steelers owner Art Rooney II after stepping away from the podium following the announcement. Ward, who retired following the 2011 season, walked away from the game as a two time Super Bowl champion. As I read them, I was really moved by the tremendous outpouring of love, encouragement and support," said Ward. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XL in 2006, when the Steelers finally captured "one for the thumb" by defeating the Seattle Seahawks.By the end of 2011, Ward found himself on the sidelines for long stretches while speedy youngsters Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown became quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's most frequent targets.Former teammates Jerome Bettis, Aaron Smith, James Harrison and Brett Keisel were there on Tuesday to watch Ward's retirement announcement, along with Steelers president Art Rooney II, chairman Dan Rooney, general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin.Fans Glad '86' Goes Out A Steeler"No words could express what you mean to me.
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