It’s not fun to hear. Or write. But reality is reality.
Hines Ward isn’t going to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not on this current track, anyway.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, he’ll go down as one of the greatest Pittsburgh Steelers in history. Beloved by the fan base for his toughness, his smile, his great playoff moments and two Super Bowl rings. But Canton, Ohio? For the next decade, at least, the only way he’s getting there is if he buys a ticket.
Voters have made it clear. Ward is good but not good enough. A semifinalist for eight straight years, he again failed to crack the final 15, the list who truly get voted on and discussed one by one to determine if they’ll receive a gold jacket, bust, and football immortality.
For the past two seasons, four wide receivers have made the final 25. Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Torry Holt, and Ward (there’s also Devin Hester, but his Hall of Fame credentials are based on his returns, not his receptions). And for the past two seasons, Johnson, Wayne, Holt, and even Hester, have made the finalist list over Ward. The order is clear from the perspective of who is bringing up the rear on the list. It’s Ward. He’s at the end of the logjam. He’ll have to wait for Johnson, Wayne, Holt, and Hester to get in first. This isn’t making the case against Ward. It’s a neutral stance, explaining what’s happening as opposed to whether it’s right or wrong.
Who knows when that’ll happen? Wide receiver is notorious for taking a long time to break through. The position is so flooded with talent, even great names must wait. Art Monk, Tim Brown, Andre Reed, heck, it took Terrell Owens until his fourth ballot to get in, though maybe that had to do with spiteful voters who didn’t like Owens’ antics and media treatment. So Ward will keep on waiting.
The longer he does, the harder his path will be. Not only does he have to wait for the four ahead of him, there will soon be other more modern-day receivers added to the ballot. In 2026, Larry Fitzgerald will be eligible for the first time. No questions asked, he’s getting in ahead of Ward. In 2027, Antonio Brown will be on the ballot. How voters handle that will be…interesting but he was a more dominant receiver than Ward ever was. The more Ward has to bide his time, the more he competes with players from this current passing era whose stats may be inflated but will overshadow Ward’s.
Still not all hope is lost. If there’s a silver lining, there is one path for Ward to make it. Not through the modern era list but the Senior Committee. A way to honor and recognize names often forgotten to time, the Senior Committee votes on players whose careers ended at least 25 years ago. This year’s list includes WR Art Powell (1959-1968), LB Randy Gradishar (1974-1983) and DL Steve McMichael (1980-1994).
For Ward, he’d become eligible for the Senior Committee starting in 2036. Who knows what football will look like by then, but it’ll be a far cry from the old-school and physical brand of football Ward played. That’s when a bunch of old sports writers shaking their fist at the cloud will love on Ward’s style, appreciate his game even more, and would give him an honest shot of being elected. In fact, those odds seem fairly high.
Ward could get in one day, but it’ll be another decade and it won’t come through the “traditional” path most make it. Still, Hall of Fame is Hall of Fame; Ward’s candidacy wouldn’t be lessened one bit. Just expect to wait awhile to hear his name – if it even ever happens.
FAQs
Ward, though, doesn't get the credit he deserves, probably because he never led the league in receptions, yards or touchdowns in his 14 seasons with the Steelers. He was never named first-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl just four times.
Is Hines Ward eligible for the Hall of Fame? ›
Hines Ward, in his eighth year of eligibility, will once again not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's not yet even been a finalist. This isn't an outrage, nor would it be outrageous if Ward made it. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout defines being borderline.
How good was Hines Ward? ›
Ward played his entire professional career for the Steelers and he became 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.
What does Hines Ward do now? ›
Hines Ward has been hired as Arizona State's next wide receivers coach, the school announced Sunday. "I am truly honored to join Arizona State University football as wide receivers coach," Ward, the Super Bowl XL MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion, said in a statement Sunday.
Why isn t Pete Rose allowed in the Hall of Fame? ›
Instead, Rose has spent more than three decades with a lifetime ban from baseball for gambling on a sport that now allows live betting in most of its ballparks. FanDuel also is MLB's official sports gambling partner, but those who rule the game still won't do the logical thing by giving Rose a parole.
Why is Jim Edmonds not in the Hall of Fame? ›
He garnered only 2.5 percent of the vote on the first ballot, making him a one-and-done candidate. First the rules. To be enshrined, a player must receive at least 75% of the voters' ballots.
Are James Harrison and Hines Ward named as semifinalists for the 2024 Hof class? ›
Hines Ward and James Harrison were not among the 15 modern-era player finalists selected Wednesday for the class of 2024. The two Steeler greats were previously named semifinalists in November. The long wait continues for Ward, who has been a semifinalist for the last eight years.
Can owners be in the Hall of Fame? ›
Opened on September 7, 1963, the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of professional football, including players, coaches, officials, franchise owners, and front-office personnel, almost all of whom made their primary contributions to the game in the National Football League (NFL).
Why did Hines Ward retire? ›
"I just wouldn't feel right," Ward said. So rather than play for a 15th season — and his first outside the Steel City — a tearful Ward opted to retire on Tuesday and secure a legacy unmatched in the franchise's long history.
What is the Hines Ward rule in the NFL? ›
Some players thought his play was "dirty" and provoked the NFL to pass a new rule after 2009 that reads, "A blindside block cannot be delivered with a helmet, shoulder or forearm to an opponent's head or neck." It's known as the "Hines Ward rule," but Ward was not flattered.
Does Hines Ward own a restaurant? ›
Former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward gave Steelers.com a peek into his new restaurant Table 86 and Vines Wine Bar which opened in Cranberry, PA.
How many Pro Bowls did Hines Ward play in? ›
As a quarterback, he posted 918 yards with three touchdowns while completing 60 percent of his passes. Ward was a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1998 NFL Draft, playing all 14 of his seasons there and earning four Pro Bowl trips. He won two Super Bowls with the franchise.
What is Hines Ward famous for? ›
Hines Ward, retired Steelers wide receiver, is renowned for his accomplishments on the football field. Those accomplishments include becoming a two-time Super Bowl Champion, the MVP of Super Bowl XL and a four-time Pro Bowler.
Why is Ricky Watters not in the Hall of Fame? ›
Despite his 5 Pro Bowl selections and his high rankings in total rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, criticism of his lack of professional demeanor was cited by voters as a primary reason for his failure to be inducted.
Why is Lester Hayes not in the Hall of Fame? ›
Hayes later stated that alongside lingering thumb injuries, the Stickum ban contributed to a decline in his later career. Fred Biletnikoff and Jerry Rice, both of whom have admitted their usage of Stickum, have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Hayes has not been.
Why is Jimmy Smith not in Hall of Fame? ›
It's probably the [lack of] touchdowns, not going to a Super Bowl, and being dwarfed by receivers whose numbers are similar.” Smith's 67 TDs are below almost every HOF receiver, including many who played before 1978 when NFL rules made it far more difficult for pass-catchers to put up big numbers.
Why is Bo Jackson not a Hall of Famer? ›
He could have been a Hall of Famer in football and baseball. He arguably would have been, but for a freak hip injury during the 1990 playoffs. Even as a part-time football player, showing up after baseball season ended, Bo was a superstar. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry for his four-year NFL career with the Raiders.
