Steelers Sign Ward to Five-Year Deal

Steelers Sign Ward to Five-Year Deal
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*PITTSBURGH —The Steelers today ensured that one of the all-time great players in team history will remain in Pittsburgh for another five seasons when they signedWR Hines Wardto a new contract through 2013. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
 
Ward, who will enter his 12th NFL season in 2009, is the Steelers' record holder in nearly every significant receiving statistic after being originally drafted by the team in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XL when he caught five passes for 123 yards and one TD.
 
"Hines has been a tremendous leader for us both on and off the field over the past 11 seasons," said Steelers' President Art Rooney II. "We are pleased to know Hines will finish his career as a Pittsburgh Steeler."
 
Ward recorded his team-record fifth career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2008 when he led the Steelers in receiving yards (1,043), receptions (81) and touchdown catches (seven). He has led the Steelers in receptions for 10 straight seasons dating back to 1999.
 
Named to the Steelers' 75th Season All-Time Team in 2007, Ward ranks first in the Steelers' career annals in receptions (800), receiving yards (9,780), touchdown receptions (72), 1,000-yard seasons (five) and consecutive games with a reception (162). In 2002, Ward became the first Steelers player to catch 100 passes (112) in a season and he is the only receiver in team history to be voted to four Pro Bowls (2002-05).
 
Ward has also excelled for the Steelers and the community off the field with his Hines Ward Helping Hands Korea Foundation, which helps biracial children in Korea who are discriminated against because of their mixed-race background, and by serving as a co-chairperson for The Caring Program for Children.
 
 
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