Former Steelers receiver Hines Ward is one step closer to football immortality as he was named a Modern-Era Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Ward is one of 26 semifinalists for this year's class.

Ward, who is a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist for the 10th straight year (2017-26), played 14 seasons for the Steelers, after being selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

"Hines Ward is a Hall of Fame player because number one, he had a tremendous impact on the game," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "His numbers may not be what they are to other people because he played in an offense where he wasn't going to be asked to catch the ball. He was asked a lot to block. We had one of the best running games in my 15 years here, and Hines Ward was a big part of that. He was a guy that every defense knew where he was, every defensive safety knew where he was.

"His impact as a blocker, his impact as a player who can make clutch plays at clutch times. He could play inside. He could play outside. A versatile guy who lined up every snap. He was consistent, he was productive over a long period of time. There's no question in my mind that Hines Ward, don't just look at the numbers, but his impact on the field, what he did to the game, he was a difference maker. And everyone knew and understood where he was. To me, that's a Hall of Fame player."

Ward had 1,000 career receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. His versatility was always on display with his blocking ability a shining example of that.

"When you look at his career, he got caught in two different eras," said Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis. "But he was one of the best ever to be in the era that I played in, in terms of being a receiver who was physical, who could block, who could do everything. He was also a deep threat. He could literally do it all.

"The one thing I think people look at now is the numbers and the amount of catches and yards. But Hines Ward was much more than that. I think he's not getting a fair look because of what the numbers have gone to in this new era.

"He was one of the best ever do it. He played in a physical era where the wide receiver had to be the blocker, the receiver, the deep threat. He had to do it all, and he could do it. That's what made him so special. He got caught in the last part of his career in the numbers era where all these receivers are having a hundred catches for 1,500, 1,600 yards. But they're not doing the things that Hines was doing.

"When you look at his career in full totality, he was one of the special few receivers who had the ability to do it all, and highlighting the fact that he was the most ferocious blocking receiver that I believe the NFL has ever seen. You put all that in one package, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame."

Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In three Super Bowls, Ward registered 14 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

"Hines Ward is absolutely a Hall of Famer," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "When you talk about a guy that gave everything to his team and wanted to get in the end zone every time he touched the ball, whether it was on the 20-yard line or the one-yard line, he was going to find a way to get in the end zone for his team. He did all the small things. He blocked. The things that aren't in stats are what he did. He attracted attention. He found ways to get his teammates open. He blocked for them when they got the ball. He blocked in the run game. The things that Hines Ward did are Hall of Fame caliber worthy play.

"He was a guy when you threw him the ball, he was going to make the play, and he wasn't going to just catch it, he was going to get extra yards, he was going to get you a first down, and he was going to find a way to get in the end zone. And as a quarterback, you find Hines Ward, and you give him the ball, and you just sit back and watch.

"Hines is a receiver I got to spend a lot of time with. He's really special to this team, this organization, because he did so much more than just catch passes. He was a leader. He was a blocker. He did everything it took to be selfless when it came to this team.

"When the ball was close, he made a catch. I mean, when Hines would drop a pass, it made everyone stop because he was just so sure-handed and so special. He definitely deserves to be in."

The Steelers 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls (2002-05) and was a member of the team's 75th Season All-Time Team. Ward was selected by his teammates as the Steelers MVP three times in his career, including 2002 along with Joey Porter, 2003, and 2005 with Casey Hampton.

"Hines Ward is one of the toughest receivers I've ever met in my life," said linebacker James Farrior, a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. "I got a chance to play against him and play with him. When he was on the other side, you always had to be aware of where Hines Ward was. His hands were unbelievable. He was a player when you needed a big play, when you needed a big first down, he was the guy that you go to. Tough as nails. All he did was smile when he was on the field, but he was one of those guys that he could really get under your skin, because he was always smiling, no matter what he was doing."

The list of Modern-Era Player Semifinalists initially began as a group of 128 nominees announced in September. A screening committee that includes several enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed that number to 52 (50 plus ties) in October. The full Selection Committee cast the ballots to determine the Semifinalists, and its next step will be another vote to cut the list to 15 Finalists late this year.