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.