At no point in Hines career was he an elite WR. Crack back blocks have been deemed "dirty" since the early 90s. They were going to be made illegal whether or not Hines Ward played in the league. Cowboys safety Roy Williams shouldn't be a HOF'er because they made it a penalty to hit defenseless receivers and banned horse collar tackles.
Hines Ward is an interesting dude, because he was a perfect WR to have with Big Ben. Ben is a gunslinger, a scrambler and an improviser. And Hines is a guy who can catch any ball that's just barely close enough to catch, and who plays every down hard and doesn't ever give up on a play. So they were a perfect match. And of course the Steelers ALWAYS wanted a balanced offense too, and the defense was a rock, so Hines counting stats suffer a bit from the Steelers just not throwing the ball quite so much, and also not needing to put up 40 points per week to win games. For comparison - In the year when we beat the Cards for the Superbowl, Kurt Warner threw for 4500 yards and 30TDs. And that's only good enough for a 9 win season, and they only make the playoffs because their division is so bad, they wouldn't have made it as a Wildcard. Larry Fitzgerald is obvious a beast in that offense, and he puts up 1500 yards and 12 TDs; absolutely great performance from an all time great WR. But... Arizona have to throw the ball a LOT, just to bust 9 wins. In the same 2008 year, Ben throws for a rather pedestrian 3300 yards and 17 TDs. But the Steelers get 12 wins, a 1st round bye, and they really didn't have to do much more than that to win. Even the losses they do take, 3 of them are 1 score or less (so, the extra offense needed to win wouldn't have been vast) and the other one was to the 1-seed Titans who just played better. Point being that a pretty "meh" QB year for Ben leads to a good but not amazing year for Hines. 1000yards, 7 TDs. But if you run the numbers, Hines ward contributed the same proportion of the Steelers passing attack as Larry Fitzgerald did for the Cards. About a third of the yards, and about a third of the TDs. That's what you'd expect from a WR1, of course. But Hines doesn't get the same kind of credit because his offense just doesn't throw the ball so much. And that's how lots of guys get underrated. Hines Ward is giving even ounce of football, every play, but the yards aren't coming quite as much as other guys. He's winning rings and even is a Superbowl MVP... But by the time that the Steelers become more pass heavy, he has been playing for 10 years already and is slowing down a little. But in the years where he and ben are together, he is a centre piece.
The Hall of Fame was created for guys like Hines Ward. And I'd be interested in hearing more of what Cower, Tomlin and why not, even Belichek think about the guy.
Hines played so hard they changed the rules. Consistent AF. Made tons of huge catches, especially on third down. And he built a significant portion of his career with ass for QBs in an era when passing was still not that cool. Dude deserves the hall, unfortunately he'll probably be one of those legacy picks 40 years from now.
He was one of the few receivers that was truly feared. Not about burning your DB's, but him mollywhopping you on one play and catching a 40 yarder the next.
Constant smile after some of the toughest plays. The harder he was hit the bigger the smile and the faster he bounced back up. Unfortunately he received a lot of concussions over the years and at the end he was getting up from some plays with a glazed vacant look in his eyes that was downright scary. He gave EVERYTHING he had in every game he played.
He didn't play when they played. Ward wasn't an elite WR in the era he played in. Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, Issac Bruce, Torry Holt, Steve Smith etc. are his era's WRs and ultimately the one's he needed to be better than. He wasn't, and he won't end up in the HOF.
Yes! Abso-fucking-lutly!!! Greatest blocking, dancing, tough wide receiver ever tougher than woodpecker lips and has a rule named after him for decleating a MF into space, goodbye for the game star linebacker or safety lol. Hands so soft his shit was manicured . Absolutely a old school type of player worthy of the hall of fame
He has a legit case. Let's look at the metrics often used. Stats and production: here's one of the two biggest things holding him back. His career numbers weren't quite hall of fame level, close though. Stacking up: the other big knock. He was certainly top 10 of his era, but HoF level is usually top 3-5. Accolades: nothing special with a big exception of Super Bowl MVP. Team success: helps him a bit. His prime was essentially the 2000s. The Steelers were arguably the 2nd best team of the 2000s, winning 2 chips. Intangibles: probably his best asset. The guy was a bona fide leader, not much more you can say.
Hines Ward has the numbers he has the championships he has a Superbowl MVP ....he has a rule change ......the guy did it all ......ask any hall of fame DBs from his error what he was .......ask Ed Reed who Hines Ward is 😅
According to stat muse in the era he played 1998-2011 his numbers look like this: Regular Season: 6th in Rec yards 5th in Rec TDs 2nd in receptions Post season: 1st in Rec TDS (Tied with Randy Moss) 1st in Rec yards 1st in Receptions 4 Pro Bowls 3 all pros nods 2 time super bowl champ One of 8 Receivers to receive super bowl MVP honors All of this on a run first team with qbs like Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox and a young big ben who hadnt become a star yet. How in the fuck is that not a hall of fame worthy resume? This isnt just bias from me its ridiculous And they talk about someone like Edelman going in before him 😂
Well, Steve Smith was a better WR. Torry Holt was a better WR. Reggie Wayne was a better WR. Hines Ward, per usual, was cut as a HOF semifinalist. The other three are in the final 15. Maybe... maybe one of them will make it this year. Quite frankly, he doesn't deserve to be a HOF semifinalist on a yearly basis. Jimmy Smith and a handful of other guys who were better WRs don't even get that deep.
How can someone be so vicious on the field and do it with the most welcoming and unassuming smile on his face? My God I love Hines Ward.
In a sport full of players with somber eyes, Hines looked genuinely happy to be there.
Guy was so good they named the stadium after him
Lmaooooo
Hines was so vicious they quite literally changed crack back blocking rules because of him. He was elite.
At no point in Hines career was he an elite WR. Crack back blocks have been deemed "dirty" since the early 90s. They were going to be made illegal whether or not Hines Ward played in the league.
Cowboys safety Roy Williams shouldn't be a HOF'er because they made it a penalty to hit defenseless receivers and banned horse collar tackles.
I agree with everything you said 100%! Hines was born to be a Steeler. I wish the HOF would recognize how complete of a receiver he was.
Hines Ward maybe the most underrated player of all time. Absolutely deserves to get a gold jacket.
This man would absolutely crush the NFL today.
Hines Ward is an interesting dude, because he was a perfect WR to have with Big Ben. Ben is a gunslinger, a scrambler and an improviser. And Hines is a guy who can catch any ball that's just barely close enough to catch, and who plays every down hard and doesn't ever give up on a play. So they were a perfect match. And of course the Steelers ALWAYS wanted a balanced offense too, and the defense was a rock, so Hines counting stats suffer a bit from the Steelers just not throwing the ball quite so much, and also not needing to put up 40 points per week to win games.
For comparison - In the year when we beat the Cards for the Superbowl, Kurt Warner threw for 4500 yards and 30TDs. And that's only good enough for a 9 win season, and they only make the playoffs because their division is so bad, they wouldn't have made it as a Wildcard. Larry Fitzgerald is obvious a beast in that offense, and he puts up 1500 yards and 12 TDs; absolutely great performance from an all time great WR. But... Arizona have to throw the ball a LOT, just to bust 9 wins.
In the same 2008 year, Ben throws for a rather pedestrian 3300 yards and 17 TDs. But the Steelers get 12 wins, a 1st round bye, and they really didn't have to do much more than that to win. Even the losses they do take, 3 of them are 1 score or less (so, the extra offense needed to win wouldn't have been vast) and the other one was to the 1-seed Titans who just played better. Point being that a pretty "meh" QB year for Ben leads to a good but not amazing year for Hines. 1000yards, 7 TDs. But if you run the numbers, Hines ward contributed the same proportion of the Steelers passing attack as Larry Fitzgerald did for the Cards. About a third of the yards, and about a third of the TDs. That's what you'd expect from a WR1, of course. But Hines doesn't get the same kind of credit because his offense just doesn't throw the ball so much.
And that's how lots of guys get underrated. Hines Ward is giving even ounce of football, every play, but the yards aren't coming quite as much as other guys. He's winning rings and even is a Superbowl MVP... But by the time that the Steelers become more pass heavy, he has been playing for 10 years already and is slowing down a little. But in the years where he and ben are together, he is a centre piece.
Very well said!
The Hall of Fame was created for guys like Hines Ward. And I'd be interested in hearing more of what Cower, Tomlin and why not, even Belichek think about the guy.
You had me until Belch-ekk
"Blocking is wanting to." - Psycho 86
Hines had the heart of a lion, clutch player, and loved to knock the sh*t out of Baltimore...He HAS to get into the HOF.
Hines, like Bettis and Cam Heyward, was someone whose impact on his team went far beyond his play on the field.
Simplest question of the year; absolutely!
When the NFL changes or makes new rules because Hines’ style playmaking, he deserves the Hall of Fame!
Hines played so hard they changed the rules. Consistent AF. Made tons of huge catches, especially on third down. And he built a significant portion of his career with ass for QBs in an era when passing was still not that cool. Dude deserves the hall, unfortunately he'll probably be one of those legacy picks 40 years from now.
He was one of the few receivers that was truly feared. Not about burning your DB's, but him mollywhopping you on one play and catching a 40 yarder the next.
Constant smile after some of the toughest plays. The harder he was hit the bigger the smile and the faster he bounced back up. Unfortunately he received a lot of concussions over the years and at the end he was getting up from some plays with a glazed vacant look in his eyes that was downright scary. He gave EVERYTHING he had in every game he played.
I have a Hines Ward jersey and a Ben Roethlisberger jersey. But Ward is my go to.
Yes! And I haven't even seen the video yet! He has more reception than most of the players in the HOF right now!
Yes. Enough said.
How could that be a question?!? 💯HOF
Hines Ward was outstanding! Hines said it best, he was the most complete football player on most fields! 🖤💛
It's true. Just about any aspect of Hines' game was "great-but-not-elite".
Yes
I believe he had more catches and yards than swann and stallworth combined.
He also has more catches and a better catch rate than Randy Moss.
He didn't play when they played. Ward wasn't an elite WR in the era he played in. Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, Issac Bruce, Torry Holt, Steve Smith etc. are his era's WRs and ultimately the one's he needed to be better than. He wasn't, and he won't end up in the HOF.
It’s bullshit that he isn’t already
How could he not be?!!!!
Yea he is
When your play changes the rules of a league you are a HOF. End of story.
Yes! Abso-fucking-lutly!!! Greatest blocking, dancing, tough wide receiver ever tougher than woodpecker lips and has a rule named after him for decleating a MF into space, goodbye for the game star linebacker or safety lol. Hands so soft his shit was manicured . Absolutely a old school type of player worthy of the hall of fame
"Hands so soft his shit was manicured" has had me in stitches for almost 12 hours now. Elite comment.
I love these videos
Who are some other players I should highlight?
I agree 100% I miss him and Troy so much
Should already be a Hall of Famer
There's only 14 NFL players that have 1,000 career receptions and Hines Ward is one of them of course he's a Hall of Famer.💯
Hines Ward belongs in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. It is time for him to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Hines Ward is my hero.
Yes. End of discussion.
He's got my vote.
He has a legit case. Let's look at the metrics often used.
Stats and production: here's one of the two biggest things holding him back. His career numbers weren't quite hall of fame level, close though.
Stacking up: the other big knock. He was certainly top 10 of his era, but HoF level is usually top 3-5.
Accolades: nothing special with a big exception of Super Bowl MVP.
Team success: helps him a bit. His prime was essentially the 2000s. The Steelers were arguably the 2nd best team of the 2000s, winning 2 chips.
Intangibles: probably his best asset. The guy was a bona fide leader, not much more you can say.
Hines is definitely a guy you had to watch to fully appreciate. Stats and traditional metrics don't quite do him justice.
Hines Ward has the numbers he has the championships he has a Superbowl MVP ....he has a rule change ......the guy did it all ......ask any hall of fame DBs from his error what he was .......ask Ed Reed who Hines Ward is 😅
If you're asking if Hines Ward is a hall of famer, you need to watch the tapes. Absolutely 💯 Hall Of Famer.
Hines and Troy are my 2 favorite Steelers of all time
LOL I just wrote the same thing me and you both brother I miss that smile of wards
Oh and of course P hair u
I actually think these would be my top 2 as well (although I'd have to think more about it).
He’s too good for “todays” game. He is in my hof.
Hell yeah, he was a beast and I’m glad he retired a Steeler
"Even read an article where I signed a 3 year deal with Baltimore. We know that won't ever happen." - Hines
According to stat muse in the era he played 1998-2011 his numbers look like this:
Regular Season:
6th in Rec yards
5th in Rec TDs
2nd in receptions
Post season:
1st in Rec TDS (Tied with Randy Moss)
1st in Rec yards
1st in Receptions
4 Pro Bowls
3 all pros nods
2 time super bowl champ
One of 8 Receivers to receive super bowl MVP honors
All of this on a run first team with qbs like Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox and a young big ben who hadnt become a star yet.
How in the fuck is that not a hall of fame worthy resume?
This isnt just bias from me its ridiculous
And they talk about someone like Edelman going in before him 😂
Well, Steve Smith was a better WR. Torry Holt was a better WR. Reggie Wayne was a better WR. Hines Ward, per usual, was cut as a HOF semifinalist. The other three are in the final 15. Maybe... maybe one of them will make it this year.
Quite frankly, he doesn't deserve to be a HOF semifinalist on a yearly basis. Jimmy Smith and a handful of other guys who were better WRs don't even get that deep.
Yes he is without a doubt
He is absolutely a hall of famer
HES A HALL OF FAMER FOR SURE
Ward is the best Steeler WR ever.
Sure is. The numbers don’t lie. Most physical WR to ever play in the NFL.
100% the most physical, and as a "catcher", I'd even call him underrated.
Fun fact: Hines Ward has more career receptions than Randy Moss.
How is this even a question?
1000% should be in the Hall of Fame
Hines Ward Should Be A First Ballot Hall of Famer..!
NFL doesn’t appreciate toughness much anymore.
Illegal Brady touching, defense, 15 yards, auto first down.
All day long in my book!!!
NOBODY ELSE PLAYED OR PLAYS LIKE HINES "PSYCHO" WARD!
100%! Not even a Steelers fan.
“ Psycho Ward “
The Psych Ward
You're right Gage - " Psych Ward " 🤙
Uhhh yes.
Yes F yes
HOF all day long!!!
HINES WARD SHOULD BE IN HOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Favorite Steeler of ALL TIME!!!!
Top 5 Steelers WR's ever!