FORT WORTH, Texas — The inviting, warm smile on his face and the astute, thoughtful answers Hines Ward delivers completely contradict the way he conducts himself on the football field.
Ward, even at age 34 and in his 13th season, is a terror between the lines — with an aggressive, physical style of play at receiver that makes him the quintessential Steeler because he probably would prosper as a defensive player.
“He’s a silent assassin,” Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. “There’s not a tougher player that plays his position in this league. He loves to play with a chip on his shoulder.”
Because of that chip, Arians has developed a weekly ritual with Ward.
“Every Thursday, I say to him, ‘Are you [ticked] off at someone right now? If not, let me [tick] you off, because when you’re [ticked] off you play really good,’ ” Arians said.
Arians called Ward, the MVP of Super Bowl XL and the spiritual leader of the Steelers, the “heartbeat” of the team.
“He is the guts, the heart and soul of our offensive football team,” Arians said.
“He’s part of the glue that keeps this whole thing together,” running back Rashard Mendenhall said.
“Hines is the face if the Steelers,” receiver Mike Wallace said. “He is what a Steeler is supposed to be. Hines Ward is the perfect Steeler player with his toughness, his smarts and his whole attitude. He’s hard-nosed and likes to get down and dirty.”
Ward, who is the consensus pick as the best blocking receiver in the league, is so tough and such a hard hitter that he has developed a reputation in some circles as a dirty player, a label he vigorously disputes.
“Do I look mean?” Ward said. “I just play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. I’m not out there to hurt anybody. Everyone says, ‘He’ll hit guys when they’re not looking.’ Should I tap on your shoulder and say, ‘Here I come, hit me?’ At the end of the day I just play football the way it’s supposed to be played.”
He will get no argument from his teammates, who worship what Ward brings to the Steelers.
“Hines is one of our captains, he’s one of our leaders,” guard Chris Kemoeautu said. “He’s also a coach and a big brother who you can talk to when you need somebody talk to.”
Because Ward is an elder statesman on the team, there have been rumblings this week that he might ride off into the sunset and retire if the Steelers win their third Super Bowl tomorrow — particularly with a potential lockout looming.
Ward was a member of the Steelers when running back Jerome Bettis retired after winning the Super Bowl five years ago.
Ward said jokingly that all the retirement speculation is like “they’re almost pushing me out the door.”
“I haven’t put any thought into that,” Ward said. “I know Jerome went out on top. He won the game. I don’t foresee this being my last game. I’m not retiring. I’m not in the mood to retire. Until Coach [Mike] Tomlin says he doesn’t need my services anymore, I’m going to continue playing.”
Ward, the Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions (954), receiving yards (11,702) and touchdowns (83), remains a productive player, having caught 59 passes for 755 yards this year.
When he does retire, Ward knows what he wants his legacy to be.
“When I’m gone, away from this game, when they mention Hines Ward, I want them to say, ‘He’s a hell of a football player,’ ” Ward said. “That’s really what I want to be, just a great football player.”
