Hines Ward weighs in on Roethlisberger, Steelers-Ravens rivalry, being recruited along with Peyton Manning
NBC analyst Hines Ward joined the show to talk about Ben Roethlisberger’s injury and other big stories around the NFL.
Dan asked if his former team, the Steelers ever tried to teach Big Ben not to hold on to the ball and extend plays.
“That’s just a part of Ben’s game,” Ward said. “He likes to extend plays. He never wants to give up on a play. That’s what makes him so special. … At the same time, he finds himself taking a lot of hits as well.”
Ward also talked about the Steelers-Ravens rivalry. Ward said if you work for the Steelers, you cannot wear purple during the week before the Baltimore game. “You might get punched in the face,” Ward said.
Ward said Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis talked a lot of trash to him. But Ward said he just smiled at him — and that made it worse.
Ward told a great story about being recruited for college. Ward said that Tennessee came after him and a coach told him the Vols would back off Peyton Manning if he committed to the school. Ward said some publications had him and Peyton 1-2 in quarterback rankings. Ward ended up at Georgia and eventually moved over to receiver.