Hines Ward is a Steeler forever, as of today:
Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward, regarded as the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, on Monday morning signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2009 season.
The extension is worth $25.83 million and includes total bonuses of $10 million. Ward can earn an additional $2.5 million in incentives. Ward had one year left on his previous contract, at a base salary of $1.669 million. Without the add-on, he would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.
The Steelers will officially announce the signing on Monday afternoon.
The accord ends months of negotiations that included Ward’s 15-day holdout at the start of training camp. Steelers officials had announced late last season their intention to sign Ward to an extension aimed at having him finish his career with the team. Negotiations between Steelers officials and agent Eugene Parker heated up over the weekend and the two sides completed the final details of the extension on Monday morning.
Ward, 29, is viewed locally as a player who epitomizes the blue-collar mindset of the city and its team. Even with his three Pro Bowl appearances, he is probably underappreciated around the league. But the seven-year veteran, who turned himself into a premier player through hard work, is a wide receiver who excels at far more than catching the ball.
It is safe to buy your jerseys, Steelers Faithful.
Also, Jerry Rice retired.
SeesThroughIt
YES! It really is impossible to see Hines playing for any other team. That guy is a Steeler–excuse me, a Stiller–to the core. I’m so glad they got all this worked out and can get on with the business of winning games.
cd6
wooohoooo
By “buy your jerseys” I assume you mean “keep wearing your 86’s”
I was worried my Hines jersey might have to join my Kendrell Bell jersey for a bit there
Insomniac
Hurricanes, wars, the Pirates, and other disaasters aside, all is now right with the world.
jmh
It’s really hard for me to associate someone who can make $35 million over four years with the blue-collar mindset. I’m not really commenting on the guy; he may be a dandy fellow.
Tim F
‘Blue-collar mindset’ means that he works hard, doesn’t complain, has a positive attitude and keeps the bling to a minimum.
Character matters a lot in Pittsburgh. That’s why we detest Barry bonds but still have a soft spot for Andy Van Slyke.
J. Michael Neal
Hines Ward is a Steeler forever
Correction: Hines Ward is a Steeler until such time as they don’t want to pay his contract or they have cap problems, at which time, they will either cut him or get him to take a pay cut.
Joey
The Steelers will be fine as long as they have Mr. Do-It-All Randle El. Finest football player to ever even be mentioned in the same sentence as Indiana University. And a fine basketball player too. Heinze is huge though. A top tier WR without question, and a great fantasy player as well (thanks Ward!).
Bob
And the greatest football player of all time retired. I can’t wait to retire.
Joey
Oh my, I can’t believe I spelled “Hines” with a ‘z’. Sorry, confused the field with the WR.