Nov 15, 2005 4 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Even after Hines Ward’s rookie season in 1998, the Pittsburgh Steelers felt their need for a star receiver was so great they drafted Troy Edwards and Plaxico Burress on the first round each of the next two years. Not certain if Ward could be a starter after playing part of his college career at Georgia as a quarterback, the Steelers used Ward in a variety of roles. He was a wingman on special teams, racing downfield to be the first in line to make a tackle or throw a block. On offense, he was used mostly as a blocker in the running game, and he caught only 16 passes as a rookie.

But as they spent more time with Ward, coach Bill Cowher and his staff couldn’t help but notice the extra time he spent taking passes from any quarterback who would throw to him, the passion and effort he brought while undertaking some of the most thankless jobs on a football field.

They also saw something else: Ward played without ego or concern that his throw-his-body-around approach might lead to an injury that would end his career before he proved he could catch passes in the NFL. They also saw him repeatedly anger defensive backs unaccustomed to having a receiver block them with the ferocity of a tight end or fullback.

Now, long after Ward became not only a starter but also one of the NFL’s most reliable receivers, any list of the best pass catchers in Steelers history must contain at least three names: John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and, yes, Hines Ward.

“I’ve been through a lot,” Ward said, looking back on his early days in the NFL. “Being a third-round pick, overcoming two first-rounders drafted, playing on a predominantly run-oriented team, having all the nay-sayers doubt me.”

Ward broke Hall of Famer Stallworth’s team record for career receptions by making eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in a 34-21 victory over rival Cleveland on Sunday night that tied the Steelers (7-2) with idle Cincinnati for the AFC North lead.

Ward, a Pro Bowl receiver the last four seasons, has 543 catches in his eight-year career, six more than Stallworth had from 1974-87. The major difference between the two is that while each has played on mostly winning-record teams, Stallworth has four Super Bowl rings to Ward’s none.

“There’s always going to be comparisons between me and Swann and Stallworth but, for me, I don’t really care for comparisons,” Ward said. “I just want to be in the same class. … So, when you think Swann and Stallworth, now you can add Hines to that list.”

Even if their styles are much different. Swann, also a Hall of Famer, and Stallworth were downfield receivers who might not make a catch for a quarter or so, but would then make an important 25- to 40-yard reception to change a game. Ward piles up his yardage by making a number of 10- to 15-yard catches that keep drives going and allow an offense to control the clock.

Stallworth, for example, had fewer catches than Ward, but had considerably more yards from scrimmage: 8,834 to Ward’s 6,978. Stallworth’s 63 touchdown catches also are far more than Ward’s 42, and Swann has nine more career TD catches than Ward despite making 207 fewer receptions.

But, comparisons aside, Ward has been far more than the Steelers could have expected from a third-round pick – just as Stallworth excelled after being a fourth rounder in 1974. Former Steelers teammate Orpheus Roye, now with the Browns, related that to Ward after Sunday night’s game.

“He came up to me and said, “Whoever would’ve thought the guy who played special teams would become the all-time receptions leader?”‘

Cowher remembers telling Ward how he would be needed to play special teams as a rookie, when veteran receivers Courtney Hawkins, Charles Johnson and Will Blackwell were ahead of him.

“He’s caught a lot of passes and I’ve been here for every one,” Cowher said. “No one appreciates it more than myself – not just his catching but what he brings to the game and the way he approaches the game and what he stands for. He’s the complete football player.”