January 31, 2006

Hines Ward taking mother to visit home: He is traveling to experience the culture he has only heard about. One of the ways he can think of to thank his mother for all her sacrifce, this guy is truly a class act. Most of the athletes who seem lost and need direction can learn a thing or two from this guy.

posted by chuy to football at 08:46 AM - 25 comments

That's a great story. Ward is a fantastic player, and a big reason why the Steelers will be champions by late Sunday. It would be nice if many other professional athletes (and non-athletes as well) could take a cue from him about being humble, goal-oriented, and respectful, even after you've made it big.

posted by dyams at 09:00 AM on January 31, 2006

Could this be the next Chunky Soup mother-son duo?

posted by njsk8r20 at 09:21 AM on January 31, 2006

You gotta love this guy. Clean cut, excellent player and now this. What I love about him is he is always smiling. He can take a big hit, and he is still smiling. I'm a born and bred Vikings fan, living in Colorado, but I am pulling for the Steelers. For Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis, GO STEELERS!!

posted by bobrolloff at 09:34 AM on January 31, 2006

I agree, great story. "Mom" tends to bring the best out of people; especially selfish pro-athletes.

posted by daddisamm at 09:40 AM on January 31, 2006

Could this be the next Chunky Soup mother-son duo? Jerome Bettis and his mom have already been filming commercials with the McNabb family, but who knows.

posted by scully at 09:42 AM on January 31, 2006

It's true that we seem to overlook guys like Hines. In a league where we are quick to point out the felons, thugs and egocentric reprobates we tend to forget that there are more than a fair share of upstanding moral citizens in the NFL. While the Bus gets all the headlines heading into the weekend, I for one am rooting for Hines Ward to show people that nice guys can finish as World Champions.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:01 AM on January 31, 2006

We already know nice guys can fininsh as champs, Spurs, Patriots, White Sox, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

posted by Bill Lumbergh at 10:23 AM on January 31, 2006

The White Sox ran over my dog.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:24 AM on January 31, 2006

True Player. He appreciates the game and shows it by playing as hard as he does. Probably won't get in but deserves Hall Of Fame. He is right up there with the great Steeler Wide Recievers in my book. Gotta love a man who loves his momma too.

posted by CarolinaCowboy at 10:33 AM on January 31, 2006

The White Sox ran over my dog. Your dog is Brad Lidge?

posted by Bill Lumbergh at 10:36 AM on January 31, 2006

Gotta love a man who loves his momma too. As long as he does not have an Edipus complex.

posted by njsk8r20 at 10:51 AM on January 31, 2006

I loved this story what a guy he is a class act and so are the steelers!!!Go steelers

posted by chichi@koko at 11:13 AM on January 31, 2006

I can't believe you people read the article and all you do is praise Hines Ward. (To quote Chris Rock: "you low-expectation-having mother****s"). He's SUPPOSED to honor his mother. Look at what his mom went through: she was left alone in a country where she didn't speak the language, her child was taken away from her, she got him back and worked three jobs to make sure he had food and clothes and the best you can come up with is that her son turned out to be a class act? Where do you suppose he learned that?

posted by joaquim at 11:19 AM on January 31, 2006

Although he's "SUPPOSED" to, it's becoming more of the exception rather than the norm. There is no fault in celebrating someone who represents class, when there are so many who do not.

posted by Bill Lumbergh at 11:28 AM on January 31, 2006

good guy , better mother

posted by trrron at 11:49 AM on January 31, 2006

I agree with Bill Lumbergh 100%. So often today the attention is given to the athletes who make fools of themselves and act like they have had no home training whatsoever. It's great to hear that someone actually lives a good life on and off the field. Certainly one of the least appreciated players in the NFL. He didnt even make the pro bowl this year. He catches a TD every game. That's alot to say for a WR on a running team. He's not using this time to promote himself. He's paying homage to the bus. Class Act.....

posted by vbgjr88 at 11:50 AM on January 31, 2006

At least trrron gets it.

posted by joaquim at 12:56 PM on January 31, 2006

While talent is always loved, you have to have heart to play in this league. Hines Ward PERSONIFIES heart. This man plays the WR position like a man on a mission. I hope that more NFL players can see this from Hines Ward and take care of their own mothers. I know that I would do the same thing for my mom if I was in the same position (no matter what career either). I tell you what, I was already pulling for Pittsburgh going into the Super Bowl in 5 days. Now I have another reason. Go Hines Ward!!!!

posted by chemwizBsquared at 01:05 PM on January 31, 2006

The apple duz not fall far from the tree! Like mother like son! Two class acts! Go Steelers!

posted by steelerchooks at 01:23 PM on January 31, 2006

it's becoming more of the exception rather than the norm. same can be said about good mothers. (My therapist says I'll be O.K.)

posted by njsk8r20 at 01:29 PM on January 31, 2006

Call me crazy, but I've always said I'd take Hines Ward over T.O. on my football team any day- A Wideout who will do whatever it takes to help his team win even if his personal stats suffer, or Budweiser's Leon? That's a no-brainer, and this article does nothing but further illustrate the difference between the two. I only hope that the Steelers win this week and we can begin to redefine what 'Premier NFL Reciever' means...

posted by don-peyote at 01:35 PM on January 31, 2006

Hines is the man. I love how he always mocks other receivers endzone celebrations. I dont know why people always say the NFL doesnt like gays, everybody loves Hines. Be yourself along with being great and nobody cares what you do, as long as its legal. Kind of. Or is that Yancey Thigpen I'm thinking of? Anyway its one of em.

posted by Drallig9399 at 02:35 PM on January 31, 2006

Um, Drallig9399, care to support your comment that Hines Ward (or Yancy Thigpen, etc) is gay? Like where, besides a bathroom stall in Baltimore, Cleveland or Cincinnati, did you read such a thing? If he is gay, good for him. Nothing wrong with it. But I am just curious where you got such information. Because honestly, it would be a front page article not only on Sportsfilter, but on every major newspaper and website in the US. As it would have been if former Steelers Yancy Thigpen or Kordell Stewart had come out. You need to find better sources for your news, I think. But it isn't germane to this conversation.

posted by scully at 03:31 PM on January 31, 2006

Um, Drallig9399, care to support your comment that Hines Ward (or Yancy Thigpen, etc) is gay? I'm guessing he's assuming that Ward is gay because he cried after the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs last year. Because, as we ALL know, only gay men cry. /sarcasm

posted by grum@work at 03:59 PM on January 31, 2006

I don't know how the gay subject came up. Hines Ward is married and has a son. I'd say that's a pretty clear indication that he's probably not gay. How exactly does Hines Ward being gay come out of an article saying that Hines will take his mother back to Korea?

posted by Tweeder82e at 04:35 PM on January 31, 2006

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