Hines Ward

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ward was born in Seoul, South Korea to a Korean mother and African-American father, and grew up in the Atlanta area. He played college football at Georgia, where his 149 career receptions for 1,965 yards placed him second in team history, and his 3,870 all-purpose yards were second only to Herschel Walker. In the 1995 Peach Bowl, he completed 31 of 59 passes for 413 yards, setting Georgia bowl game records for pass attempts, completions, and passing yards. Coming out of college, it was discovered that Ward was missing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, lost during a childhood bicycle accident. Despite that, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (92nd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played his entire professional career for the Steelers, becoming the team's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yardage, and touchdown receptions. Ward was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL and upon retirement was one of eleven NFL players to have at least 1,000 career receptions.

In Their Own Story

In Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks, Ward was named the game's MVP after catching nine passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. That performance capped a season where he continued to define himself as a physical, relentless receiver. Earlier in his career, during a Week 10 matchup in 2001 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ward had nine receptions for 112 yards and a 28-yard touchdown in a 20–7 victory, marking his first career game with over 100 receiving yards. In 2002, he had his best season, finishing with 1,329 receiving yards, 112 receptions, and 12 touchdown receptions—all career highs. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times (2001, 2002, and two others supported by the source).

Reader's Guide

He was drafted in the third round (92nd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. Over his career, he became the franchise's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (2001, 2002, and two others supported by the source). Ward was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL. Upon retirement, he was one of eleven NFL players to have at least 1,000 career receptions. After his playing career, he worked as a studio analyst for NBC's Football Night in America from 2012 to 2015, joined CNN and HLN in May 2016, and began his coaching career in 2019 as an offensive assistant for the New York Jets. In 2021, he was hired by Florida Atlantic as special assistant to the head coach.

Did You Know?

• Ward was born in Seoul, South Korea to a Korean mother and African-American father.
• He was missing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee due to a childhood bicycle accident.
• Ward was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 73rd round (1,646th overall) of the 1994 MLB draft.
• He holds Georgia bowl game records for pass attempts, pass completions, and passing yards from the 1995 Peach Bowl.
• Ward was one of eleven NFL players to have at least 1,000 career receptions upon retirement.