Steelers great Alan Faneca: Put WR Hines Ward in Hall of Fame
Thirty-two Steelers have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the third most of any team. Former Pittsburgh offensive lineman Alan Faneca, a Hall of Famer himself, believes the Steelers should have another player enshrined: receiver Hines Ward.
“People tuned in to watch Hines Ward,” Faneca said Wednesday on "Good Morning Football." “Rules were made for him. Wide receivers are not allowed to do what Hines did because of him. He changed the game.”
On Tuesday, Ward made the initial list of 129 modern-era players under consideration for the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The list will be trimmed to semifinalists in November. Fifteen finalists will be named in January. The 2023 Hall of Fame class will be inducted in August.
Ward’s blocking matched his pass-catching ability. In 2009, the NFL outlawed high blindside blocks, known as the "Hines Ward Rule."
Ward’s hit in 2008 on the Bengals' Keith Rivers broke the linebacker's jaw and prompted the rule change. In 2009, Ward’s peers named him dirtiest player in the NFL.
During his 14-year career, Ward made four Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowls and a Super Bowl MVP award. He is the Steelers' all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083) and receiving touchdowns (85). Ward finished his career with more receptions than Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss (982).
Former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, a probable Hall of Famer, endorses Ward's candidacy for enshrinement.
“You can’t tell the story of the 2000’s and not speak of Hines Ward…I think he deserves to be immortalized forever,” he said.
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