“You guys meant the world to me. This city and this organization means the world to me. So today I came back to Pittsburgh to grant Steeler Nation this one last request. Today I am officially retiring as a Pittsburgh Steeler. And as much as I will miss football, my teammates, coaches and everything about the game, I don’t want to play in any other uniform. The black and gold runs deep with me, and I will remain a Steeler for life.”
- Hines Ward
(Photo Gene J. Puskar /AP)
“We had a conversation today with Hines Ward and informed him that we plan to release him of his contract prior to the start of the 2012 NFL calendar year. Hines has been an integral part of our success since we drafted him in 1998 and we will forever be grateful for what he has helped us achieve. He has meant so much to this organization, both on and off the field, and we appreciate his efforts over the past 14 years. Hines’ accomplishments are numerous, and he will always be thought of as one of the all-time great Steelers. We wish him nothing but the best.”
- Steelers President Art Rooney II
“This isn’t how I wanted this chapter of my career to end. I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago. I want to thank the organization, my teammates and coaches and everyone who made my run as a Steeler the best years of my life. To Mr. Rooney, thank you for allowing me to play for one of the greatest organizations in the world. To my fans and in particular, Steeler Nation, thank you for your support and all the great memories. I gave my heart and soul for you every down and I will always bleed black and gold. I do feel that I still have more football left in me and I am looking forward to playing in the NFL, again, this upcoming season.”
Report: Hines Ward on his way out of Pittsburgh.
“As the Steelers work to restructure contracts and manuever below the salary cap, the circumstances are dictating the twilight of Ward’s 14-year career. On the books, he has one year and $4 million left on his current contract. On the field, Ward also took a backseat to youngsters Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, posting his lowest receiving totals since his rookie season in 1998.”
(Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)
NFL Off-Season NFL Status: Yup, still in a lockout.
Have you ever seen a photo of Hines Ward where he’s not smiling? Well, here you go. Hines Ward arrested for drunk driving.
NFL Off-Season NFL Status: Yup, still in a lockout.
Instead of Pittsburgh celebrating another Super Bowl trophy they showed up to celebrate a Hines Ward “Dancing With the Stars” victory. Don’t let anyone tell you that Pittsburgh doesn’t know how to have a good time.
![gq:
Hines Ward on the NFL: “They Don’t Give a F—k About Concussions”
If they care so much about our safety, why don’t they mandate that we wear the new ones? If they’re so worried about what concussions will do to us after our careers, then guarantee our insurance for life. And if you’re going to fine me for a hit, let the money go to veteran guys to help with their medical issues. To say the league really cares? They don’t give a fuck about concussions. And now they want to add on two extra games? Are you kidding? Come on, let’s be real. Now that these new guidelines are in place, you’ll see more and more guys lying to doctors to stay on the field. Contracts aren’t guaranteed. If a guy’s contract is coming up and he gets his bell rung—and if he has a concussion, he’ll have to leave the game and maybe miss another one—trust me, he ain’t tellin’ nobody. Look at [49ers running back] Brian Westbrook. He was an elite player who had concussion issues, and he struggled to find work after the Eagles cut him. Guys saw that. I’m telling you, if you’re a guy on the bubble or playing for your next contract, you’re going out there and jeopardizing your life to get that payday.
If you’re a football fan, here’s your must-read of the day: GQ correspondent (and Yahoo! Sports reporter) Michael Silver’s startlingly candid interviews with big-name NFL veterans about what the guys on the field really think about the player-safety debate. Also featured: Scott Fujita, Lawyer Milloy, Larry Fitzgerald, Lofa Tatupu and Matt Birk.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfy1zxjZ1V1qe6vsbo1_500.jpg)
gq:
Hines Ward on the NFL: “They Don’t Give a F—k About Concussions”
If they care so much about our safety, why don’t they mandate that we wear the new ones? If they’re so worried about what concussions will do to us after our careers, then guarantee our insurance for life. And if you’re going to fine me for a hit, let the money go to veteran guys to help with their medical issues. To say the league really cares? They don’t give a fuck about concussions. And now they want to add on two extra games? Are you kidding? Come on, let’s be real. Now that these new guidelines are in place, you’ll see more and more guys lying to doctors to stay on the field. Contracts aren’t guaranteed. If a guy’s contract is coming up and he gets his bell rung—and if he has a concussion, he’ll have to leave the game and maybe miss another one—trust me, he ain’t tellin’ nobody. Look at [49ers running back] Brian Westbrook. He was an elite player who had concussion issues, and he struggled to find work after the Eagles cut him. Guys saw that. I’m telling you, if you’re a guy on the bubble or playing for your next contract, you’re going out there and jeopardizing your life to get that payday.
If you’re a football fan, here’s your must-read of the day: GQ correspondent (and Yahoo! Sports reporter) Michael Silver’s startlingly candid interviews with big-name NFL veterans about what the guys on the field really think about the player-safety debate. Also featured: Scott Fujita, Lawyer Milloy, Larry Fitzgerald, Lofa Tatupu and Matt Birk.
