5 longest playing careers in Pittsburgh Steelers history

3. Hines Ward: 217 games played with Steelers

One career that seemed to last forever was that of Hines Ward. The former third-round pick began his career all the way back in 1998 and it spanned over 14 years until he finally hung up his cleats for ghppd at the age of 35 following the 2011 season.

Just two years after he was drafted and with only 14 starts under his belt at the time, Pittsburgh spent the 8th overall pick in the draft on wide receiver, Plaxico Burress. At the time, Burress was thought to be the future of the wide receiver position in Pittsburgh. But despite being a pedestrian athlete with a compact frame, Ward proved why he was the go-to receiver in Pittsburgh.

By year four, Ward made his first Pro Bowl and recorded his first 1,000-yard season. While his single-season statistics never took the league by storm, he was an essential piece of the offense and a trusted security blanket for Steelers quarterbacks throughout his career.

Ward finished his Steelers career with 217 games played and 190 starts. Playing a skill position like wide receiver from the age of 22 to the age of 35 will be hard for anyone to top. The former Pro Bowl receiver was blessed with terrific health throughout his playing career and only missed 7 total games in 14 years.