Former Ravens LB Terrell Suggs makes shocking confession about playing against Steelers great Hines Ward

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens matchups in the mid-to-late 2000s were some of the most intense and hard-hitting games in NFL history. 

Those fierce rivalries were more than just battles for division supremacy. They were a showcase of physical football at its peak, where every play carried the potential for a bone-crushing hit. In fact, the sheer brutality of these contests played a significant role in shaping the player safety rules that the NFL has implemented in recent years. Many of the hits that were considered routine back then would draw hefty fines or suspensions in today’s game.

Every time the Steelers and Ravens faced off during that era, it often felt like a bloodbath. The games were marked by relentless hits, aggressive defensive play and an intensity that made fans on both sides of the rivalry hold their breath with every snap. 

Former Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was at the center of many of these clashes, bringing a level of physicality and intimidation that perfectly embodied the spirit of the rivalry. For players like Ward and Suggs, these games were as much mental battles as physical ones, with each trying to outwit and outlast the other.

Terrell Suggs makes confession about playing against Hines Ward

Suggs recently shared a wild revelation about those battles during an appearance on "NFL on ESPN" with Kevin Clark. He admitted that, at times, he would threaten Ward’s life on the field to ensure he did not get the better of him during plays. 

While shocking, Suggs’ confession underscores just how intense and personal these matchups could get. It also highlights how much the game has evolved in terms of safety, discipline and player conduct, with rules now designed to protect athletes from the kind of intimidation and physical danger that defined the Steelers-Ravens rivalry of that era.

"Hines Ward… Hines Ward," Suggs said while speaking about his favorite Steelers player to go against. "I usually had to threaten him at the snap because you know Hines was legendary for cracking people. You know those Steelers versus Ravens games would get real chippy."

Suggs was known as a fierce player, but some people also thought he played dirty. That perception was understandable because many considered Ward to be dirty as well. 

In reality, it was just the heat of a rivalry and the intensity of two gritty players trying to help their respective teams win. Suggs explained that he would actually talk to Ward on the field to make sure he did not do anything over the top against him. Although he didn't do it most kindly.

"I used to have to threaten him," Suggs said. "Like I am serious. Dude if you crack me, I am gonna [expletive] kill you. I am gonna kill you. Hines Ward is one of those guys you hate to play against, but you would love to have him part of your team. You know what I am saying? For an offensive guy, for a wide receiver, he was really scrappy and got after it. He got after guys, so I respect him in that sort."

The intensity between the Steelers and Ravens during that era left a lasting mark on both teams and the NFL as a whole. Many of the rule changes we see today, including stricter targeting penalties and helmet-to-helmet contact rules, were influenced by the kind of brutal hits these matchups produced. The league has made player safety a priority, but the memory of those battles remains vivid for fans and players alike.

Steelers-Ravens rivalry still among best in sports

Despite the physicality, there was a level of respect behind the rivalry. Suggs and Ward, while willing to push each other to the limit, recognized each other’s talent and toughness. That mutual understanding allowed both players to compete fiercely.

Even years later, both teams’ matchups continue to carry the same intensity, though the game has evolved. The Steelers-Ravens rivalry is still one of the most anticipated in the NFL, blending history, pride and fierce competition. Stories like Suggs’ confession remind fans that behind every highlight-reel hit was a deep commitment to winning, respect for opponents and a rivalry that defined a generation of football.