Tag: Hines Ward

Antonio Brown takes big shot at Steelers franchise on social media

Antonio Brown doesn’t appreciate Cordarrelle Patterson wearing his jersey number.

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the jersey numbers for all of their free-agent additions this offseason. This included wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson will wear No. 84 for the Steelers, which happens to be the same number former Steeler Antonio Brown wore during his playing days.

This didn’t sit well with Brown who took to social media to whine about how the Steelers don’t typically formally retire jersey numbers but instead sort of shadow ban any players from wearing them. Brown took exception to this because his number didn’t get the same treatment.

Brown then said he would come back and play for the Steelers for free if the team lets him wear No. 86. This of course is Hines Ward’s old number and hasn’t been assigned to a team since his retirement. He also hit up former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell to see if he would come back to Pittsburgh if he could wear Jerome Bettis’ old number.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Eight candidates to be Georgia’s next wide receivers coach

Eight candidates to be UGA’s next wide receivers coach. Georgia is replacing Bryan McClendon, who headed to the NFL

The Georgia Bulldogs need a new wide receivers coach after Bryan McClendon left to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receivers coach.  McClendon is the latest college coach to prefer the NFL’s superior work-life balance over college football’s hectic calendar.

Head coach Kirby Smart and Georgia football are looking for a new wide receivers coach that can replace McClendon’s recruiting ability and strong relationships. The Bulldogs could hire a former Georgia player, promote from within, or a coach from another college program.

Georgia’s next wide receivers coach will work with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. The Bulldogs have shown they don’t need to sign the best wide receiver recruits in order to have a lethal passing attack.

Who are eight candidates to be Georgia’s next wide receivers coach?

Steelers legend Hines Ward on what Mike Tomlin is ‘lacking’

Hines Ward opens up about what he feels Mike Tomlin is lacking in great accomplishments.

It’ll be a dozen years next month since legendary Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward called it a career. And his former team remains without a Super Bowl since.

The “standard” of the Steelers was often brought into question during the 2023 season as it seemed the younger generation of players on the roster didn’t understand it, nor were they embodying it.

“The standard in Pittsburgh is all about winning Super Bowls,” Ward told The Schmo during Super Bowl week. “We’re very blessed. We won six Super Bowls in our organization.”

“… But we haven’t won in a while, so that’s the one thing that probably [Tomlin is] lacking on his shelves of great accomplishments and bringing another Super Bowl back to the city of Pittsburgh.”

The Steelers found great success during Ward’s career, a span of seasons that were some of the team’s best since the 1970s. He played in three Super Bowls, helping Pittsburgh to two victories, one under Tomlin.

Tomlin, who will turn 52 next month, is tied for 12th on the all-time coaching wins list, but the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and they last appeared in the Super Bowl six years before that.

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII served as a painful reminder of just how far the Steelers are from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Tomlin’s last real chance for “bringing another Super Bowl back to the city of Pittsburgh” has likely come and gone.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Two Georgia Bulldogs named among best players in Super Bowl history

Former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward snubbed from the list of greatest Super Bowl players of all-time

Former Georgia Bulldogs running back Terrell Davis and defensive back Jake Scott are ranked among the best all-time players in Super Bowl history. Nate Davis of USA TODAY writes that Davis is the No. 9 player in Super Bowl history.

In what was arguably the greatest Super Bowl effort by a tailback, he ran for 157 yards and a record-tying three TDs – while combating a migraine – on his way to Super Bowl 32 MVP honors as the Denver Broncos won their first title.

The former Georgia star played with the Bulldogs from 1992-1994. Terrell Davis won two Super Bowls. He followed up his outstanding performance in Super Bowl 32 with another gem in Super Bowl 33.

Davis added 102 rushing yards and 50 more receiving when Denver repeated the next year.

Terrell Davis is the second-ranked running back on the list behind Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

Former Miami Dolphins star defensive back Jake Scott was named as the No. 30 all-time player in Super Bowl history. Scott won a pair of Super Bowls. He was named MVP of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who are the only undefeated team to ever win the Super Bowl.

His pair of interceptions, including the game-clincher, put a bow on the Dolphins’ perfect season and brought him Super Bowl 7’s MVP. Scott got another ring the following year, recovering a pair of Minnesota Vikings fumbles. He also handled kickoff and punt returns for Miami.

Scott finished his NFL career with 49 career interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward should be on the list of the greatest Super Bowl performers. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY

The list snubs former Georgia Bulldogs Hines Ward, who was named as the MVP of Super Bowl 40. Ward played in three Super Bowls in his career, winning two. The former Pittsburgh Steelers legend racked up 14 catches for 244 total yards and two touchdowns in his three career Super Bowl games. Ward is part of Georgia’s current 23-year streak of having at least one former Bulldog in the Super Bowl.

Steelers shut out of list of 15 finalists for Hall of Fame class of 2024

Hines Ward and James Harrison failed to make the final round of voting for the HOF.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 15 modern-era finalists for the 2024 class. The biggest surprise is that neither of the Pittsburgh Steelers who were semifinalists made the cut for the final 15.

Here is the full rundown of finalists:

– TE Antonio Gates
– WR Reggie Wayne
– DE Dwight Freeney
– OL Jahri Evans
– OL Willie Anderson
– WR/RS Devin Hester
– RB Fred Taylor
– WR Torry Holt
– WR Andre Johnson
– LB Patrick Willis
– DE Julius Peppers
– DE Jared Allen
– S Rodney Harrison
– S Eric Allen
– S Darren Woodson

Wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker James Harrison were left out of the mix. The debate then becomes whether Ward is more deserving than Wayne, Hester, Holt or Johnson. Statistically, Johnson and Wayne both had better career numbers.

As for Harrison, he was more in the style of Freeney, Peppers and Allen, all of whom had significantly more sacks.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

2 Steelers legends named semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hines Ward and James Harrison are once again semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 25 semifinalists for its 2024 class, and two former Pittsburgh Steelers are among the group. Wide receiver Hines Ward is a semifinalist for the eighth time, and linebacker James Harrison is a semifinalist for the second time.

Ward holds numerous receiving records in franchise history. In 217 career games, Ward had 1,000 receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. He won two Super Bowl rings with Pittsburgh.

Harrison is one of the most prolific pass rushers in the franchise’s history. He is currently No. 2 all-time in franchise history with 80.5 career sacks. Harrison was Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and that season made perhaps the greatest play in Super Bowl history, a 100-yard interception return against the Arizona Cardinals. Like Ward, he won two Super Bowl rings with Pittsburgh.

Both guys face stiff competition this year with multiple great players at linebacker and wide receiver in the mix.

  • Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2017-2024)
  • James Harrison, LB – 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward on potentially joining UGA staff: ‘I’ll quit whatever I’m doing’

Former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward on potentially joining UGA staff: ‘I’ll quit whatever I’m doing’

You’d be hard pressed to find a longer resume than that of former Georgia Bulldog star Hines Ward.

All-SEC Bulldog, two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP. That’s just the beginning of what the 47-year-old has accomplished.

Ward is fifth all time in all-purpose yards in UGA history (3,870). His 1,000 career receptions and 12,083 career receiving yards are Pittsburgh Steelers records.

Ward joined me before Georgia’s homecoming win over Missouri to detail his experience in returning to Athens for the first time in almost five years.

Ward teamed with Fairfield by Marriott, which is the official hotel of the NCAA, to bring The Home Field Advantage tailgate, where they kicked off game day with a warm welcome for Georgia students, alumni and fans.

 

 

Georgia Bulldogs on XFL rosters

What former Georgia Bulldogs are in the XFL?

The NFL season is over. However, there’s still football being played in the XFL. Five former Georgia Bulldogs are on XFL rosters.

What XFL team should Georgia fans cheer for? Decide for yourself. The D.C. Defenders have the most Georgia players (two) of any XFL team.

Former Georgia legend Hines Ward is also serving as a head coach in the XFL.

What Georgia Bulldogs are in the XFL?

Steelers legend Hines Ward talks Super Bowls and his relationship with Bill Cowher

Hines Ward shares a great story from Super Bowl 40.

Pittsburgh Steelers legend Hines Ward was part of two of the Steelers six Super Bowl titles. He was even a Super Bowl MVP. But when we asked him about a memorable moment from one of his Super Bowls, he offered up a story about a catch from Super Bowl 40 that most don’t even remember but it really illustrated his love for the game and how he felt about his place on the Steelers until that moment.

“You know, there was one playing the Super Bowl 40 I think I made it like a shoestring catch and I remember hearing coach cower from afar saying it’s like amazing catch, like awesome for coach Cowher who, you know, at times drafted all these guys,” Ward said. “I thought he was trying to get rid of me.”

Cowher drafted Ward in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft out of Georgia. But he then followed it up with back-to-back first-round picks spent on wide receiver Troy Edwards and Plaxico Burris. This would be tough on any player but the fact that Edwards and Burress turned out to be a bust ad Ward became the best receiver in franchise history has to be some sweet retribution.

“I really didn’t know where we stood from coach to player, to hear that compliment, that he gave me during the Super Bowl it’s kind of like I won him over, I was, I was officially one of his players that, that he really adored and appreciated,” Ward continued. “So that was a big moment for me personally because up to that point man, I was trying my best to show him that, you know, I want to be a Steeler for life, I am, what’s still the football is all about”

Ward absolutely epitomized what he meant and still means to be a Steeler. It was great to hear one of the real tough guys in the league talk about how important it was for him to be accepted by Cowher and prove himself.

[mm-video type=video id=01gryynqfmkxywmd5vxt playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gryynqfmkxywmd5vxt/01gryynqfmkxywmd5vxt-e76f2c95ee6a5d553345adf109050137.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Hines Ward says NFL wide receivers have it much easier now

Hines Ward says life was much harder on NFL wide receivers when he played.

When Hines Ward played wide receiver in the NFL, times were different. Life was much harder on receivers during his era — 1998 to 2011 — as opposed to now, at least according to him.

“I mean, I think the rules are easier now because it’s set up for the offensive guys to get catches,” Ward said. “You know, when I came up during my time, I remember small receivers, they were unheard of, you know, going across the middle. I took a lot of my lumps going across the middle getting hit.”

During his time in the NFL, no receiver played with an edge as Ward did. Not only was he fearless when it came to getting hit going across the middle, Ward never shied away from delivering a blow on a defender as well. This is something Ward noticed about a fellow Georgia product, Steelers WR George Pickens. For all of his amazing catches this season, Ward loved what saw out of Pickens as a blocker as well and credited that to the fact he played at Georgia.

[mm-video type=video id=01gryys2c0k5r9h9mq4b playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gryys2c0k5r9h9mq4b/01gryys2c0k5r9h9mq4b-10615c04ef3e88aa134e331b7c7f2600.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]