Hines Ward Retires

[runrickyrun]

Don't know if there is already a thread on it, but Hines Ward announced his retirement stating that he felt like he can still play the game, but wouldn't feel right in another uniform.

One of the classiest player and future HOF. Despite not being a Steeler fan, I will miss him. He played the game the way it was meant to be played. Sure hands, ferocious blocking, and a winning attitude.

[cowboyzqna]

Dislike the steelers but I really respect Hines. That guy was built chevy tough :D All the respect in the world for him. Easy hof first or second round ballet imho.

[newton615]

just heard his speech on the radio, very classy man

[Zacky1053]

I had a feeling going to another team would be weird for him.

All the best to you, Mr. Ward!

[FreeMan12406]

Hines Ward and classy in the same sentence? Man making a retirement speech sure erases everyone's minds.

-RJ

[addicted36]

Never a fan, he was a dirty player and not hall of fame worthy. Solid career but glad the league is moving on without him personally.

[solt0131]

Never a fan, he was a dirty player and not hall of fame worthy. Solid career but glad the league is moving on without him personally.

Explain:

1) Things that made him a dirty player.

2) Why he does not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

Thanks, and we await your response.

[BostonNut]

Classy and Hines Ward? I don't think so.

[FreeMan12406]

Explain:

1) Things that made him a dirty player.

2) Why he does not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

Thanks, and we await your response.

You're joking right?

Ed Reed to Hines Ward: You’re a dirty player | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/25/ed-reed/)
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL's dirtiest player, peers say - NFL - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/04/dirty/index.html)
Hines Ward's the NFL's Dirtiest Player? (http://www.aolnews.com/2009/11/04/players-hines-wards-the-nfls-dirtiest-player/)
NFL Players Think Hines Ward Is Dirty; Teammates Say No Way - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh (http://www.wtae.com/r/21520127/detail.html)
NFL's 11 Dirtiest Players: Did Sporting News Poll Get It Right? | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/932707-nfls-11-dirtiest-players-did-sporting-news-poll-get-it-right)

[ajlaxmn]

Hines Ward is Classy, Michael Jackson didn't touch children, Whitney Houston never did drugs, Twilight was a good movie. See the pattern?

[addicted36]

Explain:

1) Things that made him a dirty player.

2) Why he does not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

Thanks, and we await your response.

1) Explanation with an open admission that I would take Ed Reeds word over yours all day, every day, and twice on Sundays pal don't like it then take it up with Ed Reed

Ed Reed: Hines Ward 'tried to cheap-shot me' (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/12/ed-reed-hines-ward-tried-to-cheap-shot-me/1#.T2jZPTZ1aI4)

2) Explanation

In the Hall of Fame now

Modern Era: Wide Receivers (21)
Lance Alworth 1962-1972
Raymond Berry 1955-1967
Fred Biletnikoff 1965-1978
Tom Fears 1948-1956
Bob Hayes 1965-1975
Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch (also HB) 1946-1956
Michael Irvin 1988-1999
Charlie Joiner 1969-1986
Steve Largent 1976-1989
Dante Lavelli 1946-1956
James Lofton 1978-1993
Don Maynard 1958, 1960-1973
Tommy McDonald 1957-1968
Bobby Mitchell (also HB) 1958-1968
Art Monk 1980-1995
Pete Pihos 1947-1955
Jerry Rice 1985-2000
John Stallworth 1974-1987
Lynn Swann 1974-1982
Charley Taylor (also HB) 1964-1975, 1977
Paul Warfield 1964-1977

21 Guys are already in the hall.

And here is a list of guys I believe that should get in the Hall before Hines Ward:

Chris Carter, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Tim Brown, Issac Bruce, Andre Reed, and Marvin Harrison

All are more deserving then Hines Ward imo. If Hines gets in with this log jam there should be an investigation

[BostonNut]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0scXQOLlHs/ThmlAzlHFLI/AAAAAAAAAMc/0ooUHs13YGw/s400/hines-ward-mug-shot_300x400.jpg

[addicted36]

You're joking right?

Ed Reed to Hines Ward: You’re a dirty player | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/25/ed-reed/)
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers,#@NFL's dirtiest player, peers say - NFL - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/04/dirty/index.html)
Hines Ward's the NFL's Dirtiest Player? (http://www.aolnews.com/2009/11/04/players-hines-wards-the-nfls-dirtiest-player/)
NFL Players Think Hines Ward Is Dirty; Teammates Say No Way - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh (http://www.wtae.com/r/21520127/detail.html)
NFL's 11 Dirtiest Players: Did Sporting News Poll Get It Right? | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/932707-nfls-11-dirtiest-players-did-sporting-news-poll-get-it-right)

Haha nice list :)!

[newton615]

Since everyones throwing a fit ill say this, ines Ward is a classy person, Scumbag player. Happy?

[BostonNut]

See three posts up for his mug shot....

Since everyones throwing a fit ill say this, ines Ward is a classy person, Scumbag player. Happy?

[pac213up]

Looks like this will turn into the KG thread.

[addicted36]

I'm awaiting solt0131 response lol

[Busstop]

Steelers for Life !!! Thanks a lot Hines Ward for 14 great years !!! Thank you # 86 !!! In a time of "Manning Watch" or the former "Favre Watch" you showed class and start and retire in black and gold !!! Thank you for the memory !!! We will never forget you !!!! GO STEELERS !!!

.....and yes, he was a dirty player.....and yes, he loves trash talk....but at the end he will come to Hall of Fame !!! Promise !!! :)!

[popmaz]

[QUOTE=addicted36;2407526]1) Explanation with an open admission that I would take Ed Reeds word over yours all day, every day, and twice on Sundays pal don't like it then take it up with Ed Reed

[url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/12/ed-reed-hines-ward-tried-to-cheap-shot-me/1#.T2jZPTZ1aI4]Ed Reed: Hines Ward 'tried to cheap-shot me'[/u

You have to since Ed Reed is one of those "classy" and "honest" guys from the "U"

[BAMBAM]

Since when does HOF worthiness hinge on whether a player was considered classy or not ?
Cris Carter was a drug addict for crying out loud. Ward was a football player, not just a WR, that ANY team would love to have on their roster. Ed Reed might have called him dirty but he'd have taken him on his team any day of the week.

[addicted36]

Since when does HOF worthiness hinge on whether a player was considered classy or not ?
Cris Carter was a drug addict for crying out loud. Ward was a football player, not just a WR, that ANY team would love to have on their roster. Ed Reed might have called him dirty but he'd have taken him on his team any day of the week.

It doesn't by itself but that neither denies he was a dirty player or excuse my point that when you consider the hall is loaded with Wideouts already in and better deserving to be enshrined looking in from the outside Hines Ward doesn't stand a chance. Maybe in 10 years he will get in, we shall see. As of right now there is zero chance he gets in like that or not

[TASS]

You're joking right?

Ed Reed to Hines Ward: You’re a dirty player | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/25/ed-reed/)
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers,#@NFL's dirtiest player, peers say - NFL - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/04/dirty/index.html)
Hines Ward's the NFL's Dirtiest Player? (http://www.aolnews.com/2009/11/04/players-hines-wards-the-nfls-dirtiest-player/)
NFL Players Think Hines Ward Is Dirty; Teammates Say No Way - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh (http://www.wtae.com/r/21520127/detail.html)
NFL's 11 Dirtiest Players: Did Sporting News Poll Get It Right? | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/932707-nfls-11-dirtiest-players-did-sporting-news-poll-get-it-right)

HaHaHa

Thanks and we all await your response Pitt-Solt ;)

[vc15jrich23]

HaHaHa

Thanks and we all await your response Pitt-Solt ;)

that person could have a little thing called a job ;)

[deboesports]

Never a fan, he was a dirty player and not hall of fame worthy. Solid career but glad the league is moving on without him personally.

everyone is due there opinion but your a douchbag! and there's mine!

[TASS]

that person could have a little thing called a job ;)

That person had no problem reading and responding to this post an hour ago, as well as calling out the Op, we all have phones, I should not admit this but I read these as I travel (just when i'm in traffic) ;)

[BAMBAM]

It doesn't by itself but that neither denies he was a dirty player or excuse my point that when you consider the hall is loaded with Wideouts already in and better deserving to be enshrined looking in from the outside Hines Ward doesn't stand a chance. Maybe in 10 years he will get in, we shall see. As of right now there is zero chance he gets in like that or not

Steelers were a run first team for the majority of his career and the voters will take that into consideration. He was an integral part of a team that had lots of success during his playing career and he was a SB MVP which is something voters will also consider instead of just looking at numbers which is all a guy like Carter has going for him. He'll get in the HOF, not first or second ballot but he'll get in someday. If he were in the K-gun like Reed he might have been a second or third ballot electee.

[newton615]

See three posts up for his mug shot....

if its not for beating his wife i dont care, if it is ill agree hes a scumbag

[Ravenhead42]

As a huge Ravens fan I could not stand Hines but I due have a lot of respect for the guy as a player :devil::devil:

[addicted36]

Steelers were a run first team for the majority of his career and the voters will take that into consideration. He was an integral part of a team that had lots of success during his playing career and he was a SB MVP which is something voters will also consider instead of just looking at numbers which is all a guy like Carter has going for him. He'll get in the HOF, not first or second ballot but he'll get in someday. If he were in the K-gun like Reed he might have been a second or third ballot electee.

So which of the guys that I say are more deserving of being in the Hall will he get in before in your eyes? I do not see him being more worthy of a headcase like Terrell Owens or Randy Moss. When did teams ever lose sleep thinking about stopping Hines Ward? When did teams go out and see his game and say "Hey we need us one of those?" Did he change the game? I don't see it.

In my opinion his numbers are inflated because of the age that we live in. You can't compare his numbers to a guy playing in the 1960's, 1970's or 1980's. That was a different game then. Can you put him in before Chris Carter simply because he won a Superbowl MVP? Another WR won that remember Desmond Howard? What does it exactly mean to win that award? People place too much importance on the Superbowl. Its the same argument that gets people thinking if Peyton is better then Eli since he didn't win as many titles? The Superbowl crap shouldn't be any kind of deciding factor or even important.

As for his "likeability" who likes someone named most hated in the game? Not many, and not enough to get over the obstacles in his way. The arguement to get him in the Hall with so many other better more skilled and more deserving to be in the Hall of Fame will keep him out. Or maybe in 10 years the writers wont be deciding who is in and the Steeler faithful will get him in. I could see it since they would want those two titles to be accounted for in the hall. His inclusion just further waters down a saturated position already and I don't see it happening at least for a very very long time.

[avjp87]

Good

Hines Ward is a POS as a player and as a person. Bye bye a**hole

[marino5084]

Hines Ward and classy in the same sentence? Man making a retirement speech sure erases everyone's minds.

-RJ

Wasn't he voted the dirtiest player in the game by opponents?

Edit: I see someone posted this already. Nuff said.:)!

[gtmsportscards]

Good riddance. His career pretty much ended when JJ decleated him in the first game.

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=Sj0hcW29Pyg

[runrickyrun]

The majority of the 'hate' stems from the Hines Ward hit that broke rookie Keith Rivers jaw. Yes, it was a blind-sided hit - the same type of hit that is applauded on kick/punt returns and routinely makes highlight films. At the time, the hit was legal and Ward was never fined. Since then, they have modified the rules.

Ward was drafted in the 3rd round - how many guys have been drafted earlier that have never panned out? He never quit on a play or ran out of bounds to avoid a hit. Despite being under-utilized the past couple seasons, he kept his mouth shut and continued to work hard and help the young guys develop. He plead guilty (unlike most of these guys who have lawyers fight tooth and nail to get them out of trouble) to a DUI. How many professional athletes/celebrities are arrested every month for similar offences (BTW I'm not condoning it). Someone mentioned domestic abuse, but I never heard about (nor could find out anything regarding this matter). He loved his teammates, spoke out against them for their wrong-doing (Roethlisberger comes to mind), and was a leader. I don't know how he could be considered not 'classy'. A couple late hits, verbal jarring, and bone-crushing blocks in his 13+ year career is unacceptable by your standards? How many concussions and suspensions did he draw from opposing players who took cheap-shots on him? Of course guys like Ed Reed & Ray Lewis dislike him - the Ravens & Steelers rivalries is one of the best in all of sports.

At the end of the day, this game isn't better without him.

[THE(NEXT)LEVEL]

Great to see Hines Ward retire a Steeler. Throwback player who played the game hard, and is considered dirty by a bunch of crybaby bitches that play now. Maybe he pulled too many opposing players tampons out. I loved watching him play!

[solt0131]

1) And here is a list of guys I believe that should get in the Hall before Hines Ward:

Chris Carter, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Tim Brown, Issac Bruce, Andre Reed, and Marvin Harrison

All are more deserving then Hines Ward imo. If Hines gets in with this log jam there should be an investigation

And how many Super Bowl rings and Super Bowl MVP's does EACH one of those guys have??

Ed Reed is a low class dirtbag, cheap player himself. The reason defensive players call Hines Ward cheap is because 90% of them have been knocked on their ass by Hines Ward once in their career. Just ask Ketih Rivers.

Ward blasts Rivers - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPbraVljIrc)

The only one of those guys above that would have put their body on the line for blocks the way Ward did was maybe Isaac Bruce.