Hines Ward sees Big Ben as Steeler for life, weighs in on locker room hazing
NBC NFL broadcaster Hines Ward joined the show to talk about the report the Steelers were looking to trade Ben Roethlisberger.
“I always see Ben as being a Steeler for life,” Ward said. “I don’t know where the story came from. … Ben came out and said it was bogus. You didn’t hear anything from the Steelers … it’s just a story.”
Ward talked about some of the other problems in Pittsburgh. “The Steelers offensive line is having a bad year,” Ward said. “They’re struggling to protect Ben.”
Ward said the problem is that the young players are not developing the way they should. The Steelers are used to drafting guys and having them step up early.
Dan asked Ward who was more important to the Ravens – Ed Reed or Ray Lewis. “By far, Ray Lewis,” Ward said. “Even on the sideline when he was hurt, he was still the emotional leader.”
Ward compared Lewis to his teammate Jerome Bettis, who could be a leader even when he wasn’t on the field.
Dan asked Ward if teammates teased or hazed him over being bi-racial. “I’ve been called Bruce Lee-Roy, Jackie Chan,” Ward said. “It wasn’t OK to do it every day. I could cut back myself.”
Ward, however, made a distinction with what was going on with Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. “When yous tarted using the N-word, that’s crossing the line,” Ward said.