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Is Steelers former wide receiver Hines Ward a Hall of Fame snub?

By Michelle Kotts

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 4: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the football against safety Reggie Nelson #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals after catching a pass during a game at Heinz Field on December 4, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 35-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 4: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the football against safety Reggie Nelson #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals after catching a pass during a game at Heinz Field on December 4, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 35-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Hines Ward #86 Steelers  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Rushes

Not many receivers rush the ball often. Sometimes if they are versatile and speedy enough, a coach may design some plays to make use of their talent. The Steelers did this for Hines ward. Ward had 57 rushes for 428 yards and one touchdown.

Only one receiver on the list comes close to Wards numbers rushing the ball. Andre Reed rushed the ball 75 times for 500 yards and one touchdown. Art Monk exceeded Wards rushing total as well; however, he only gained 332 yards and no touchdowns. No other receiver in this comparison comes close to Ward’s rushing totals.

Playoffs

Here is where Ward shines over the competition. Except for Reed’s 21 playoff games Ward played in more playoff games than every other receiver on the list with 18. Ward has 1229 playoff yards only exceeded by  Andre Reed’s 1229 yards and Michael Irvin’s 1315 yards. A difference of only 134 yards.

Ward also had ten playoff touchdowns. Only Randy Moss had as many; everyone else falls behind Ward. Except for Calvin Johnson’s 73.9% pass catch ratio in the playoffs in two appearances, Ward has a higher ratio than the other five you can accurately compare. If anyone else on the list could have exceeded Ward’s playoff pass catch ratio, Andre Reed is the most likely. Irvin made the postseason seven times, and 1991 is the only appearance the NFL did not calculate a pass catch ratio. So while he has a 60.3% ratio in six postseason appearances, it’s unlikely 1991 would have changed his percentage that much though it’s possible.

Again Ward has more playoff rushing yards at 31 yards, plus he is the only receiver with any rushing touchdowns with 2. As far as Superbowl championships, only Michael Irvin has more than Ward he has three. Art Monk is tied with Ward at two, Issac Bruce and Marvin Harrison have one. The other six do not have a championship ring. Also, he won the MVP in Superbowl XL.

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