The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted wide receiver Hines Ward in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Ward would go on to have a tremendous career and become a beloved icon in Pittsburgh football history. Among the many greats who have played for the Steelers, Ward stands out as a fan favorite, cherished for his efforts and talents. He epitomized what it meant to be a Steelers player, creating a strong connection with the fans.
David J. Phillip / Associated Press
Former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (#86) celebrates his famous touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks thrown by Antwaan Randle El in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, MI.
In 217 games for the Steelers, Ward caught 1,000 receptions for 12,083 receiving yards and scored 85 touchdowns. He is a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl champion, and Super Bowl MVP. His value to the Steelers transcended his impressive stats; he was a rare type of receiver who wasn’t a diva, content with not always getting the ball and willing to get his hands dirty to help the team win. This selfless attitude made Ward especially beloved by Pittsburgh football fans.
Despite his remarkable career, Ward has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Eligible for eight years now, he hasn't even been named a finalist. Ward's former teammate, cornerback Ike Taylor, expressed his frustrations about this on the Bleav in Steelers podcast.
"Hines was a fan favorite. Pittsburgh Steelers legend. Shoutout to Hines, man; y'all takin' too long to get my dawg in the Hall of Fame too," Taylor said.
Taylor went on to highlight other great players he played with in Pittsburgh who are likely to be Hall of Famers. The Steelers' iconic quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to be a sure bet for the Hall of Fame, while James Harrison has a real chance, though it's not guaranteed.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger celebrates touchdown run with WR Hines Ward In Denver.
Taylor believes the Hall of Fame voters should also consider Joey Porter. Steelers' legendary safety Troy Polamalu has already made it into the Hall of Fame and is considered one of the greatest football players ever. Taylor insists there are several Steelers players still deserving of spots in the coveted Hall of Fame.
"But I ain't trippin', Seven [Ben Roethlisberger] about to slide up in there. Hines gonna be up in there. James Harrison gonna be up in there. Y'all takin' y'all time with Joey Porter too. Troy [Polamalu] already slid up in there."
While Taylor is advocating for several of his teammates, he believes that the Hall of Fame voters may be biased against Steelers players due to the high number already inducted.
"The problem is they figure we got too many already up in there. That's what I tell people all the time. Y'all can't get mad because the Pittsburgh Steelers know how to draft."
The Steelers franchise is filled with several all-time greats, many of whom have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Pittsburgh franchise boasts 32 Pro Football Hall of Famers and 49 members in their Hall of Honor.
While they don't hold the record for the most players in the Hall of Fame, they are certainly among the top.
Steelers Not Victims Of Hall Of Fame Voter Bias
Though Hall of Fame voters likely don't have a bias against the Steelers due to their greatness, the sheer number of great players from Pittsburgh can sometimes overshadow others.
AP
Steelers' former receiver Hines Ward celebrates after Super Bowl XLIII.
Making the Hall of Fame is incredibly difficult, and while Steelers fans recognize Ward's impact, those who didn't watch him regularly might not appreciate his true influence on the game. His stats make him a borderline candidate, which explains his struggle to get in.
As time goes on, it will be interesting to see which former Steelers players make it into the Hall of Fame. There are several current Steelers who also have strong resumes and potential for induction.
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