Steelers' all-time leading wide receiver, Hines Ward, has announced that he will retire after 14 seasons with Pittsburgh.
Ward was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round (92nd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft out of Georgia. The Forest Park (Ga.) native played 14 seasons for the Steelers, which ties for the second longest tenure in franchise history behind Hall of Fame center Mike Webster (15). In his 14 seasons, Ward helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls, three AFC Championships and six division titles.
Ward became the team's all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), receiving touchdowns (85) and 100-yard receiving games (29). From 1999-2009, Ward led or tied for the team lead in receptions. Ward is the eighth player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions and joined Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only two players in league history to post 1,000 career catches and win multiple Super Bowls. Ward became the third player in NFL history to reach 12,000 receiving yards while playing for one team during their entire career (Marvin Harrison, Ind. and Steve Largent, Sea.).
Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In three Super Bowls, Ward registered 14 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers' 2008 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls (2002-05) and was a member of the team's 75th Season All-Time Team.
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