Ward officially announced his retirement in Pittsburgh. He said he felt like he had a few good years left but opted not to entertain any potential free-agent offers, saying “I wouldn’t feel right.”
He promised not to cry at the start of his press conference and then did exactly that.
“There’s only one thing I love more than the game, and that’s Steeler Nation,” he said, admitting he’d been moved by countless letters and emails from Pittsburgh fans.
“The city and this organization means the world to me.”
Ward said he simply couldn’t picture himself in another uniform, adding: “The Black and Gold runs deep in me.”
The team announced it was releasing its all-time leading pass catcher Feb. 29.
Ward, 36, hangs up his cleats after 14 years, finishing with 1,000 career catches (8th all time), 12,083 receiving yards (18th) and 85 TD catches (13th). He was named to four Pro Bowl teams and was the MVP of Super Bowl XL.
Ward owns all of Pittsburgh’s significant receiving records — far eclipsing the stats of Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann — though he may be best remembered as one of the best blocking wideouts in league history. Ward and Jerry Rice are also the only NFL players with at least 1,000 receptions and two Super Bowl rings.
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