The Pittsburgh Steelers have fielded some of the most incredible players in the league. They currently have 32 team members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Near the end of every year, fans wait to hear who has been selected to be a finalist in the upcoming year's class. Two names in particular make the list of semi-finalists often, but don't advance to the finalist list: James Harrison and Hines Ward.
Every year, when Harrison and Ward are snubbed, Yinzers are outraged. This year, three wide receivers made it to the list of finalists. That included Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, and Steve Smith Sr. Yet, Ward did not, despite being the Steelers' all-time leader in receptions with 1,000, receiving yards with 12,083, and touchdown catches with 85.
Steelers captain and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward voiced his frustrations on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. In every episode, he gives a "tackle for a loss" or TFL Award to people who blew it the previous week. This week, his TFL Award went to those who voted on the Hall of Fame finalists.
"No Hines Ward or James Harrison again?" Asked Heyward. "I just think, what are we doing here? One guy was Defensive Player of the Year and had the most memorable play in Super Bowl history. I have all the admiration for that guy, James Harrison. I know a lot of people do. Without his efforts, there's no Super Bowl. You know he is part of one of the greatest defenses of all-time. Then a guy like Hines Ward, who's won a Super Bowl MVP, who was the go-to guy for Ben Roethlisberger, who we all know will be getting in as soon as he becomes available."
Heyward's co-host Hayden Walsh said that he thinks part of what makes Harrison and Ward so special is their stories. Harrison was an undrafted player who was cut numerous times before succeeding.
Ward is widely considered the best blocking wide receiver of all-time. He played quarterback in college and had to make his way as a special teams player before becoming a receiver.
"I think both guys need to be finalists for this," added Heyward. "They're deserving. These guys are special. I look at some of the other guys, man we need to start questioning who's making the decisions on that. I got to think eventually they're both going to get in."
Both players have been praised for their work ethic, determination and grit. They were fundamental players on two Super Bowl teams, XL and XLIII. Ward was a four-time Pro Bowler, and Harrison was named to five.
Harrison is the only undrafted player to be named as an NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the 2008 forced fumbles leader. He embodied the spirit of the great Steelers linebackers who came before him. Both are in the Steelers Hall of Honor.
Steelers' Hines Ward Literally Changed The Game
Both Harrison and Ward had an undeniable impact on the game of football. Harrison kept opposing offensive coordinators up at night, trying to figure out how to block him. He single-handedly wrecked the game and did it during a transitional period in the NFL. The league shifted away from its violent image and focused on player safety, particularly quarterbacks.
However, it wasn't just the defensive players that laid big hits. Ward was known to lay some of his own. He became famous not just for his amazing catches, but also for his toughness.
There was the hit on Ed Reed or when he broke Keith Rivers' jaw. That block on Rivers was legal, but it led to change. The league changed the rules of the game because of Ward. The "Hines Ward Rule" made it illegal to blindside block if the block comes from the blocker's shoulder, forearm, or helmet and hits the head or neck of the defender.
