The reigning "Mr. Steeler," Hines Ward, will no longer be wearing No. 86 for the home team. Ward was one of my favorite Steelers, and might have been my favorite if not for his insistence on carry that chip on his shoulder throughout his career. He never seemed to be satisfied with having arrived and being a leader of the Steelers but contended throughout his career that he was under-appreciated and always had something to prove.
Ward was originally drafter in the third round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He spent 14 years in Pittsburgh and became the team's all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), receiving TDs (85) and 100-yard receiving games (29). He was the eighth player in NFL history to catch 1,000 career passes and joined Jerry Rice as the only two players in league history to post 1,000 career receptions and win multiple Super Bowls.
Like John Stallworth, the Steeler receiver whose records he broke, he was a big game player and wanted to be the go-to guy when the chips were down. Ward indicates he wants to play another season but it's hard to imagine him in another uniform. If he does, let's hope it's in the NFC.
When Jerome Bettis retired the mantle of team leader was passed on to Ward and he carried it well. And just as when Bettis retired, it's a little hard to conceive of the Steelers without Hines Ward. Ben Roethlisberger may feel that he needs to now step into that leadership roll but in my opinion it should rightly pass to Troy Polamalu. A player who leads by example and inspires others to perform at their best. The King is dead, long live the king.
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