Proper now, Hines Ward’s Corridor of Fame possibilities do not look superb. Ward was at all times the bridesmaid and by no means the bride. Ward has a number of finishes as a semifinalist however escaped the ultimate vote, not to mention elected to Canton, Ohio. However there may be at the very least one non-Pittsburgh-based author who believes Ward’s identify needs to be immortalized.
Sports activities author Gary Myers joined the 93.7 The fan Prepare dinner & Joe Present Friday and was requested for his ideas on Ward’s candidacy. Whereas within the minority, Myers mentioned he votes for Ward each probability he will get.
“I have been voting for him for in all probability the final three, 4 years,” Myers instructed the present. “Or nevertheless lengthy he is been eligible. I’ll vote for him till he’s now not on the poll.”
Ward has been caught within the Corridor of Fame poll field since he turned eligible. For the previous seven years he has been named a semi-finalist, one of many remaining 25 names, however was unable to get the group into the highest fifteen. The case towards him includes a scarcity of flashy numbers, taking part in in an older period and on run-heavy groups that lacked quarterback stability till 2004 (and even then turned Ben Roethlisberger/passing-game-led staff only a few seasons later) and lacked the massive downfield performs that different, extra athletic receivers made.
However for Myers, Ward’s tangible and intangible qualities make him worthy of a gold jacket. And if Ward ever turns into a finalist, he could have Myers’ vote. And his voice.
“I’d argue his case within the room if we attain the final fifteen. I believe he is an incredible participant. Nice participant, nice third down participant, nice blocker. Tremendous Bowl MVP on his resume. We have been arguing about Andre Johnson, Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne because the three receivers. There was a form of deadlock lately.”
As Myers notes, Ward misplaced floor to “trendy period” receivers like Johnson, whereas Holt had the benefit of being a part of the Best Present on Turf, whereas Wayne obtained his passes from Peyton Manning. Having already misplaced to names like Calvin Johnson, the longer Ward sits, the more durable will probably be for him to face out from the gang. Contemplating Johnson, Holt and Wayne had been named finalists over Ward for the category of 2023, Ward is probably going ranked fourth at greatest. And he might be handed over by future names that qualify and get on the poll. Myers says he would take Ward over all of them.
“I can simply argue that Hines Ward deserves to be forward of any of these three guys. And that is how I voted. However I solely have one of many fifty votes.”
Typically, large receivers and offensive linemen have the longest wait instances for anchorage. Tim Brown, Artwork Monk and Andre Reed waited greater than a decade earlier than getting hit. Brown’s profession resulted in 2004 and he was not elected till 2015. Monk ran from 1995 to 2008, whereas Reed was from 2000 to 2014. For Ward, he retired after the 2011 season, turned eligible for the primary time 5 years later and continues to attend, admitting it has been a irritating course of.
As revealed in September, Ward is as soon as once more a part of the 173 trendy names on the primary poll of 2023. The group has been whittled right down to 25 semifinalists, with Myers saying the checklist needs to be introduced shortly earlier than or after Thanksgiving, which means it might be launched this week. Ward should hope he can at the very least stay a semi-finalist. There are two first-time candidates this yr: Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, though Ward ought to have the sting on each counts. However he’ll probably lag behind the remainder this yr and all of the others.
Whereas Steelers followers would like to see him promoted, his greatest probability to get into the Corridor will are available a decade or two as a part of the Senior Committee. When he may be moved right into a separate class and considered in a special gentle towards gamers from the older period. His powerful persona and taking part in fashion can be appreciated in comparison with the present period the place the best way Ward performed is banned. That might be his path. Truthfully, it looks as if his just one.
