Hines Ward facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hines Ward

Ward in 2019
Arizona State Sun Devils
Position:	Wide receivers coach
Personal information
Born:	(1976-03-08) March 8, 1976 (age 49) Seoul, South Korea
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:	Forest Park (Forest Park, Georgia, U.S.)
College:	Georgia (1994–1997)
NFL Draft:	1998 / Round: 3 / Pick: 92
Career history
As player:
Pittsburgh Steelers (1998–2011)
As coach:
Pittsburgh Steelers (2017) Offensive Intern New York Jets (2019–2020) Offensive assistant Florida Atlantic (2021) Wide receivers coach San Antonio Brahmas (2023) Head coach Arizona State (2024–present) Wide receivers coach
As executive:
Alliance of American Football (2019) Head of football development
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII) Super Bowl MVP (XL) 3× Second-team All-Pro (2002–2004) 4× Pro Bowl (2001–2004) Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame First-team All-SEC (1997) Second-team All-SEC (1996)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 1,000 Receiving yards: 12,083 Receiving touchdowns: 85
Player stats at PFR

Hines Edward Ward Jr. (born March 8, 1976) is a famous American football coach and former player. He is currently the wide receivers coach for Arizona State. Ward played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft. Before that, he played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Ward spent his entire professional playing career with the Steelers. He became the team's all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. He was named the MVP of Super Bowl XL. When he retired, he was one of only eleven NFL players to have at least 1,000 career catches. Many people consider Ward one of the best wide receivers of the 2000s. He was also a key player in the Steelers' success during that time. Besides football, Ward has appeared in movies and TV shows. These include Dancing with the Stars, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Walking Dead. He also worked as a football analyst for NBC and CNN.

Ward was born in Seoul, South Korea. His mother is Korean and his father is African-American. He grew up in the Atlanta area. Ward has become a strong supporter for foreigners in Korea, especially mixed-race young people. He wants them to be accepted in society.

Early Life and Athletic Talent

Ward was born in Seoul, South Korea, on March 8, 1976. His mother is Kim Young-hee and his father is Hines Ward, Sr. When Hines Jr. was one year old, his family moved to Atlanta and East Point, Georgia. His father then went to West Germany for military service. A year later, Ward's parents divorced. Ward lived with his mother and then with his paternal grandmother. When he was seven, he reunited with his mother.

At Forest Park High School in Forest Park, Georgia, Ward showed amazing athletic skills. He played quarterback and was named the Clayton County Offensive Player of the Year twice. He was also very good at baseball. The Florida Marlins even drafted him in the 1994 MLB Draft.

Playing Career Highlights

College Football Journey

Ward played as a wide receiver for the University of Georgia Bulldogs from 1994 to 1997. He had 149 career catches for 1,965 yards, which was second-most in team history at the time. He also played tailback and gained 3,870 all-purpose yards. This was second only to Herschel Walker in Bulldogs history.

In 1995, Ward even played some quarterback during his second year. He set Georgia bowl game records for pass attempts, completions, and passing yards in the 1995 Peach Bowl. He completed 31 of 59 passes for 413 yards in that game. Even though he played quarterback, Ward mostly played receiver in his last two years of college. He earned All-SEC honors in 1997.

When Ward was leaving college, doctors found that he was missing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. He had lost it during a bicycle accident when he was a child. This discovery made some NFL teams less interested in drafting him.

National Football League Beginnings

Ward in 2007 with the Steelers

Ward was considered one of the top wide receivers in the 1998 NFL draft. Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts were very interested in him. However, after it was found that he was missing an ACL in one knee, his draft value dropped.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ward in the third round, as the 92nd overall pick, in the 1998 NFL Draft. On July 20, 1998, the Steelers signed him to a three-year contract. In his first season, he was the fourth receiver on the team. He played in every game but had only 15 catches for 246 yards.

In 1999, Ward got more playing time. He became a starting wide receiver. He caught his first career touchdown pass and finished the season with 61 catches, 638 yards, and 7 touchdowns. By 2001, Ward had his best season yet. He started all 16 games and had over 1,000 receiving yards. He finished with 94 catches for 1,003 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was also voted to his first Pro Bowl.

Becoming a Steelers Legend

Ward achieved his only 100+ reception season in 2002

In 2002, Ward had an amazing season. He set career highs with 112 catches, 1,329 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. This was his only season with over 100 receptions. He played a big role in the Steelers' playoff run that year. He was selected for his second straight Pro Bowl. In 2003, he continued his strong performance, catching 95 passes for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Steelers voted him their team MVP. He was also selected for his third Pro Bowl.

In 2004, with new quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Ward continued to shine. He had 80 catches for 1,004 yards. This was his fourth year in a row with over 1,000 receiving yards. The Steelers had an incredible 15–1 season. Ward helped them reach the AFC Championship game. He was voted to his fourth straight Pro Bowl.

Ward won the title of Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XL at the end of the 2005 season

The 2005 season was a huge one for Ward. On November 13, 2005, he became the Steelers' all-time leading receiver. He passed John Stallworth's record with his 538th catch. The Steelers made it to Super Bowl XL. In that game, Ward had 5 catches for 123 yards and a 43-yard touchdown. This helped the Steelers win 21–10 against the Seattle Seahawks. Ward was named the MVP of Super Bowl XL. He was only the second foreign-born player to win this award.

Ward continued to be a key player for the Steelers. In 2007, he became the Steelers' all-time leader in touchdown receptions and receiving yardage. In 2008, he helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished that season with 81 catches, 1,043 yards, and 7 touchdowns.

Ward blocking for Rashard Mendenhall during a game in 2009

In 2009, Ward signed a new contract with the Steelers. He reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming the first Steelers receiver to do so. He had another great season with 95 catches for 1,167 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 2010, even with new young receivers joining the team, Ward continued to make history. He became the first Steelers player to pass 11,000 receiving yards. He also reached 900 career receptions, becoming only the 12th NFL player to do so. He played in his third Super Bowl in 2011, Super Bowl XLV, where the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers.

In 2011, Ward caught his 1,000th reception, becoming the eighth player in NFL history to achieve this milestone. He also caught his last career touchdown pass. On March 20, 2012, Ward announced his retirement from professional football. He ended his career with 1,000 catches, 12,083 receiving yards, and 85 touchdowns. His jersey number, 86, has not been reissued by the Steelers since his retirement.

Legacy and Impact

Ward was known for his versatility, great hands, and willingness to block. He was a three-time team MVP and a four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection. He had a streak of four straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. In 2002, he set Steelers records for catches (112) and touchdowns (12).

Ward was considered one of the best blocking receivers in the NFL. However, his blocking style sometimes caused controversy. He was known for hitting defenders on their blind side. After an incident in 2008 where a player was injured by one of his blocks, the NFL later created a new rule. This rule, sometimes called the "Hines Ward Rule," made blindside blocks illegal if they hit a defender's head or neck area.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Coaching Career

After his playing career, Ward began coaching.

• In August 2017, he worked as an offensive intern for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He helped coach their wide receivers.
• In September 2019, Ward became a full-time offensive assistant for the New York Jets.
• In 2021, he joined the Florida Atlantic University Owls. He was a special assistant to the head coach and later became their wide receivers coach.
• In June 2021, Ward was announced as one of the eight head coaches for the XFL. He coached the San Antonio Brahmas in 2023.
• In April 2024, Ward was named the wide receivers coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Head Coaching Record

XFL Coaching Stats

Personal Life and Other Ventures

Ward prior to a game in 2008

Ward lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife Lindsey Georgalas-Ward and their daughter. He also has a son from a previous relationship. He has a tattoo of Mickey Mouse in the Heisman pose on his arm, along with his name in Korean.

Ward has been involved in several businesses. He owned a bar in Pittsburgh called South Side 86. He also opened a restaurant called Table 86 and a wine bar named Vines.

From 2006 to 2012, Ward hosted The Hines Ward Show on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. After retiring from football, he became a football analyst for NBC Sports. He also joined CNN and HLN as a studio analyst.

Advocacy for Social Change

In 2006, Ward became the first Korean American to win the Super Bowl MVP award. This brought him a lot of attention in media in South Korea.

Ward visited his birthplace of Seoul in 2006 for the first time since he was a baby. He used his fame to meet with multiracial Korean children. He wanted to encourage social change and acceptance for them. He told a group of children, "If the country can accept me for who I am and accept me for being a Korean, I'm pretty sure that this country can change and accept you for who you are." He also donated US$1 million to create the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation. This foundation helps mixed-race children in South Korea who have faced discrimination.

Ward and the Steelers with Barack Obama in 2009

In September 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Ward to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Film and TV Appearances

Ward appeared in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises as a football player. He was also on the second season of Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. He had a cameo as a "walker" in an episode of The Walking Dead.

Other Sporting Appearances

Dancing with the Stars Champion

On May 24, 2011, Hines Ward and his dance partner Kym Johnson won season 12 of the American TV dance competition Dancing with the Stars.

* In week 7, Donnie Burns was the guest judge and scored the dances as well (first score listed is Burns').

Triathlon Challenge

In 2012, Ward started training for the 2013 Ironman World Championships. He worked with triathlon legend Paula Newby-Fraser. On June 9, 2013, he competed in the Ironman Kansas 70.3. He finished in 5 hours, 53 minutes, and 18 seconds. On October 12, 2013, Ward completed the Ironman World Championships. He finished with a time of 13 hours, 8 minutes, and 15 seconds.

Olympic Ambassador Role

Ward was named an honorary ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Images for kids

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  Ward attempts to break Sammy Knight's tackle during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs

• 

  Ward makes a catch against the Baltimore Ravens in 2006.

• 

  Ward in the Super Bowl parade after the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII victory

See also

In Spanish: Hines Ward para niños