Hines Ward will have a bust in Canton someday, no doubt about it. He is the Steelers all-time leading wide out, and is a former Super Bowl MVP.
He got a taste of Canton on Saturday night when he was there with the team honoring Dick LeBeau, and was asked if he realizes he’s passed both John Stallworth and Lynn Swann in the record books.
“No,” Ward said. “Some of the guys, when we were walking through, said ‘be ready’ but I don’t get into that. For me, it was a compliment to have some of the greatest players in this game tell me how they appreciate the way I play the game. It was a great moment, and to see some of the former Steelers up there, it was a great night.”
So here’s the question today – Is Hines a first ballot Hall of Famer?
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Matt
August 9, 2010 at 10:18 am
Yes, we Steelers fans love him, but come on, don’t be blinded by your love. There is no way he’s a first-ballot guy! If Chris Carter has had a tough time making it in, then there’s no way Ward will be a first ballot guy.
Wavy
August 9, 2010 at 11:20 am
Chris Carter is just barely ahead of Hines Ward, statistically. After 2 more years of hard nosed football and Hines doing what he does to people’s faces, there will be no question.
arrow61095
August 9, 2010 at 11:23 am
It is really tough to tell. Some of the Hall of Fame voters are extremely fickle, and they get even worse about voting someone in on their first ballot.
Their are plenty of guys that should be in the Hall of Fame but aren’t.
As previously mentioned Chris Carter.
Shannon Sharpe.
Charles Haley (the only player to have 5 rings as a player).
Ray Guy (Yes, he is a punter…..but he is the greatest to have ever played his position. )
Look at how long it took Dick LeBeau to get in. Ward should be a first ballot Hall of Famer…..but I really doubt that he will be.
arrow61095
August 9, 2010 at 11:42 am
The other unfortunate thing is that right now there is a logjam of receivers that will be up for voting the next few years as non-1st ballot Hall of Famers: Chris Carter, Andre Reed, Tim Brown.
In order for Hines to get in on his 1st try, a lot of these guys need to get in before Hines goes up for his 1st ballot or he could get lumped into the pack and have to wait a couple of years. If it is Hines getting in on his 1st try vs Chris Carter getting in on his 7th try, then the odds favor Carter.
robert
August 9, 2010 at 11:12 pm
hell yea. best all around football player i have ever seen . he does it all and does it dam great
mark
August 10, 2010 at 10:24 am
As much as I would like to see Hines actually get in the HOF, at any time, he will find it hard to do so. Whether or not its first ballot or not, the fact that many great WR have had a hard time getting in will be the biggest obstacle. Stallworth, Monk,Carter,Brown, Reed,etc.. All names that either should be in or had a hard time getting in. 2 SuperBowl rings have helped his case, his numbers will certainly be impressive, but he has NO MVP’s and only a couple of (I believe) Pro-Bowl appearances. Many of these things should not work against him, but Ward never made an impact with BIG numbers or became a household name. Other than hearing “The best blocking WR in the game”, no one really knew his impact for the Steelers unless you are a Steeler fan or VERY close to the game. Ward will eventually get in, but not right away.