UGA fans revere Hines Ward as the Bulldog who never quit
Hines Ward closed out his UGA career in style. (Associated Press)
If you want to find agreement among UGA fans, bring up the name of Hines Ward.
Currently competing on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” Ward is known by the rest of the country for his long career as one of the NFL’s best wide receivers and a Super Bowl MVP for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But for Georgia fans he’ll forever be the quintessential Bulldog, a guy who just wanted to get into the game and was willing to play any position to do so.
Recruited as a quarterback, Ward ended up playing running back and receiver as a freshman, then was thrown into the breach by Ray Goff as a sophomore after Mike Bobo was injured, starting at quarterback against Alabama even though he hadn’t practiced with the QBs since the previous year. The results weren’t pretty that first go-round, but when another QB injury necessitated Ward going back behind center later in the season, a legend was born.
Those who saw Ward’s valiant effort against Auburn on a freezing night in Athens will never forget the sight of him doubling over with pain from an injured wrist between plays as he almost pulled off an upset of the Tigers. He did lead the Dogs over Tech and then in the Peach Bowl set school bowl records for pass attempts, completions and yards in a losing effort against Virginia as he threw for 413 yards.
With the arrival of Jim Donnan the next year, Ward moved permanently to wide receiver for his last two seasons, though he frequently lined up in the backfield, too. Typical of his versatility was the win over Florida in 1997 when Ward had seven receptions for 85 yards, ran five times for 21 yards, completed two passes for 27 yards and returned two kickoffs for 70 yards.
All-SEC first team his senior year, Ward racked up 3,870 all-purpose yards, second only to Herschel Walker. Not coincidentally, Ward and Walker are the two Georgia players who’ve been immortalized wearing their UGA uniforms in sports action figures.
Hines Ward has his own UGA action figure. (McFarlane Toys)
I asked a few other fans for their favorite Bulldog memories of Ward and besides the tremendous effort against Auburn the highlights that came up most often were the crazy head-over-heels leap into the end zone on a reverse to secure a 2-point conversion against Texas Tech in 1996; that 1997 Florida game, where he was constantly scrapping with the cornerback, giving as good as he got; and the 1998 win over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, with Bobo and Ward playing pass-and-catch for a dozen receptions, another school bowl record. There’s a photo of Ward in that game hanging on the wall in my son’s old room, looking sharp in those black britches and with that wide, infectious grin that ABC viewers are getting to know.
Overall, though, it was Ward’s never-say-die attitude that left the most lasting impression on UGA fans. As my friend Johnny put it, “This kid just wanted to play. Hines never quit.”
Like I said, my favorite memory of Ward is that cold night in Athens when he was really hurting and yet still battled on.
What’s your favorite UGA Hines Ward moment?
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
111 comments Add your comment
Forest Park Panther
March 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
How about that Superbowl MVP? Is that distinctive enough for you?
GeoffDawg
March 24th, 2011
2:12 pm
Seriously though guys, you’ve got to admit Hines Ward makes the ‘All-Time Dawg Cutie List’. That smile and those dimples… enough to make a boy melt.
just saying
March 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
Dont talk stuff about Ben Rothlisberger, you wish you had a clutch QB like him. Instead you Natty ICE. Like the crappy beer a poor version of a QB also.
just saying
March 24th, 2011
2:19 pm
Hines is one great Steeler. When you yahoos start blabberin about the Steelers all I have to say is “Hines Ward”.
Dawg Tired
March 24th, 2011
2:20 pm
Newman’s comment tells us a whole lot more about Newman’s character (or lack thereof) than it does about Hines. Newman is certainly appears to be an example of a pitiful human being who actually enjoys other peoples’ troubles. Sad, very sad. Of course, the same could be said for Anti Dog, but his handle says that already,
GeoffDawg
March 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
Obviously Newman is demonstrating his level of discourse. Thanks for showing everyone that you can’t stand up to an argument on your own. You do realize you’re reinforcing the perception that you have the courage of a little girl in pigtails, don’t you?
Stevie Wonder
March 24th, 2011
2:28 pm
Hine’s mother constantly encouraged him to transfer, luckily he stayed. See?
GeoffDawg
March 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
Anyway, I’m tired of talking about Newman. Any thoughts about Hines’ tight body and boyish charm?
SuwaneeDawg
March 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
Someone mentioned earlier about an Auburn person asking about throwing it to him every play. A funny story along those lines – when an old roommate of mine first got an XBox we would of course play Madden a good bit. He would always stay furious at me because I would always be the Steelers and I would basically throw to or run Hines on every play and I always won. He eventually refused to play me.
Anyway, other than Herschel, Hines has always been my favorite Dawg. The Florida, Auburn, and Peach Bowl in ‘95 all stand out with the Peach most of all. I will never forget the Dawgs being down against UVA and Hines almost single-handedly winning that game with a bad wrist, a bad rib (pretty sure it was a rib) and a bad knee. He basically dragged that leg behind him but still threw and ran all over the field. My wife always thinks I’m embellishing a bit but it doesn’t even matter in my mind. He played as hard or harder than anyone (except maybe D. Pollack) I’ve seen play at Georgia.
GeoffDawg
March 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
Sigh…anyway, enjoy your day Newman and let that Freak Flag fly. You’re below wasting anymore time on.
Gator Man
March 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
Had to throw in he beat Florida that year, how many bulldog in the last 20 years can say they beat Florida 2 straight years? Oh wait, I hear silents”’
reebok
March 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
I’m a Tech fan, but I really like Hines Ward. He’s a classy guy, he plays hard, and he always has a smile on his face. I wish more NFL ballers were like him, frankly.
Dorsey Hill
March 24th, 2011
2:39 pm
Anti-Dog,
Hines was NOT voted “one” of the NFL’s dirtiest players. He was voted, by his peers, as “THE” dirtiest player in the NFL. Is it because he gets a lot of flags? No. Its because he plays to the whistle and hunts heads to knock off. Other guys don’t like that. They aren’t playing a game like Hines is, they are working in a business and earning money. Hines jeopardizes that so they don’t like him. Any man his size who seeks out and puts Ray Lewis on his butt is deserving of respect. Most guys, for good reason, fear Ray. Hines puts him on his butt, with a smile. Lewis was quoted as saying that his entire purpose is to deny the other guy the will to play. I’m sure he’s accomplished that many, many times, but he won’t take away Hines’. If anything it’ll be the other way around and that is why Hines Ward is the man. They may call him “dirty”. I call him “old school tough” playing the game the way is was meant to be played; with intensity, violence and the joy of a child.
JoeV
March 24th, 2011
2:41 pm
I’m a Clemson alumnus…and I’m one of his biggest fans! He represents the best in college and professional sports and I think the world of him.
Ramrod
March 24th, 2011
2:41 pm
Did Bobo ever recover from his injury??
just a fan
March 24th, 2011
2:46 pm
Columbus Dawg I have never really heard him talk about UGA but almost anytime he is on tv for an interview that isnt after a game i see him wearing a UGA shirt or UGA leather jacket. I love the guy for all of his hard work that he did while he was at UGA and for what he has done as a pro.
reebok
March 24th, 2011
2:49 pm
again, i have no ‘dog’ in this fight (sorry), but i’ve certainly never thought of hines ward as a dirty player…nick fairley…now THERE’S a dirty player.
ga gator
March 24th, 2011
3:11 pm
My second favorite Dawg of all-time. Saw him at Longhorns at the Mall of Georgia during last years off season and he wore his famous smile on his face the entire time. Great competitor and I will never forget him valiantly playing QB I believe in his last regular season game as a Dawg.
My favorite Dawg of all time? Easy for this old Gator; Bobby Burns whom I played baseball with and football against in High School in Tampa in the late 60’s.
Brucerugby79
March 24th, 2011
3:17 pm
HEY NEWMAN you did not go to UGA I could have been arrested at any of all the games i went to my senior year—times have changed–I would probably get arrested if I ever met you as well.. LONG LIVE THE GREAT HINES WARD!!!!
Alphare
March 24th, 2011
3:20 pm
Is it 95 or 96 Auburn beat UGA 31-0? UGA was bad back then when I came to ATL.
Brucerugby79
March 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
Gator man you gotta use the spell checker–you really lose the impact of your post when you can not spell silence.
ga gator
March 24th, 2011
3:24 pm
Gator Man, let the man have his day. This is an article about one of the most over achieving players of all time so shut your pie hole.
FaithfulDawg 86
March 24th, 2011
3:26 pm
Great memories, everyone! We used to joke that Hines Ward threw the ball downfield, ran and caught it himself, kicked the ensuing kickoff, tackled the return man, got a brief respite for a 3 and out, and then did it all again. If only he’d played defense… (didn’t he play corner a time or two?). What a classy guy and a great alum. Oh, and Anti-Dog, being voted the dirtiest player IS a great distinction in the NFL. Man, learn your football and stay out of the way.
Ed (The Original)
March 24th, 2011
3:26 pm
“Typical of his versatility was the win over Florida in 1997 when Ward had seven receptions for 85 yards, ran five times for 21 yards, completed two passes for 27 yards and returned two kickoffs for 70 yards.”
Not to mention a crushing block on a Florida DB that sprung Robert Edwards’ last TD run.
“egeagle-Let’s not forget about Terry Hogue-a no talent safety who could almost single handed win ballgames for you. Also a 4.0 in genetics. What a DAWG.”
I share your admiration of Hogue TVille Dawg but would hardly describe him as a “no-talent.” From where I sat Hogue had plenty of talent.
Rich Copeland
March 24th, 2011
3:28 pm
Voted by his NFL cohorts as the “dirtist” player in the NFL. What an honor. And you Dogs persucated Brandon Spikes for a hit on Ealey, trying to take his eyes out – that was never called in the game, and Ealey himself said it didn’t happen. Maybe you look at the hit on Tebow by Smith again. Dogs hated Spikes for his hit on “No Sho” the year before when he wouldn’t let him “jump Up” and told him “Come my way again”..Go Gators…See you in Jax this year…
Bewildered
March 24th, 2011
3:31 pm
My favorite Ward moment came in the 1995 South Carolina game (Robert Edwards’ five TD day). As Edwards cleared the corner and started to head down the sideline for an eventual TD, Ward reversed field and absolutely WRECKED a Carolina secondary player. He was decleated and defeated and Ward didn’t even break stride. He ran through him and began flapping his arms to get the fans on their feet.
Classic example of his tenacity.
LSU TIGER
March 24th, 2011
3:33 pm
ONE OF MY FAVORITE STEELER!!!!!!!! TOO BAD HE HAD TO PLAY FOR GA
GA girl
March 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
I think my favorite part is “in his senior year.” Wouldn’t it be nice if “in his senior year” could be said of more of the great Bulldogs players?! We Bulldogs fans love Hines Ward for good reason — many good reasons, actually!
Alphare
March 24th, 2011
3:39 pm
Sorry that 31-0 loss is to BAMA, not Auburn in 1995. How did Hines do in that game?
Dontsufferfools
March 24th, 2011
3:41 pm
The block Hines threw near the goal line vs. S.Carolina the day Robert Edwards scored 5 TDs is the play I will remember most.
Gator Chomp
March 24th, 2011
3:46 pm
As a Lockheed Martin retiree in Smyrna, Hines showed great fortitude when he returned to Korea with his mother, who was really ran out of Korea for having a black man’s baby. As a Rep to Korea twice, I can tell you that Korea is very ethnic. A Korean woman is banned from Korean life if with a non Korean man. Unless you,ve been there, you cannot know what that is all about. Hines and his Mother were finally accepted by Koreans after he became a member of the championship Steelers.
GA girl
March 24th, 2011
3:49 pm
Oh, and P.S. I don’t watch “Dancing with the Stars,” but I hope he wins that, too! And I feel truly sorry for you anti-Bulldogs who apparently have nothing better to do than come on this post and write your nasty comments. That much negativity cannot be good for you. How many times have I ever been miserable and mean-spirited enough to post nasty comments on blogs about other teams? Zero. Not even blogs about the NY Yankees. I have more productive things to do with my time and life. GO HINES!
Diane
March 24th, 2011
3:54 pm
Don’t forget – Hines is a local boy – graduate of Forest Park High School in the early 90s.
Derek
March 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
Man, this GeoffDawg guy is kind of weird. This is a sports blog and he’s talking about ‘cuties and dimples’. Get out of here dude.
Lindsey
March 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
Love seeing a Dawg on DWTS this season, I will be cheering him on!! Best of luck to him and all UGA players for the 2011 Season, GO DAWGS!!
1962 DAWG
March 24th, 2011
4:44 pm
Ward was a Damn Good Dawg. Enjoyed watching him play at UGA.
Great reciever at Pittsburg,
Saw Ward before a playoff game with the Steelers on TV while the players were anouncing their name and college, and instead of saying he was from UGA, Ward said his name and that he was from Forest Park. Kinda like he was disrespecting the Dawgs. But if he wants to represent Forest Park then that’s his decision.
UGA didn’t seem to be bothered by it, they let him be a coach of the G-Day game the following spinng.
Bill
March 24th, 2011
5:03 pm
Peach Bowl! Never saw a performance like his before, or since. What a player!
Lady Dawg
March 24th, 2011
5:07 pm
Newman is NOT a UGA grad or a Tech grad….he’s not that intelligent. Watched Hines play HS,college and pro ball. Great guy! Next to Hershel, he is my fav. And yes, this lady dawg is watching and voting for him on Dancing with the Stars.
Lady Dawg
March 24th, 2011
5:09 pm
I don’t think Hines was being disrespectful to UGA when he said he was from Forest Park…..he had a great career in HS and I understand still stays in touch with those folks.
pmac
March 24th, 2011
5:57 pm
I remember Hines giving all he had on the field to UGA…and UGA fans booing him.
Ray Goof
March 24th, 2011
6:04 pm
Alphare,
Hines didn’t fare too well as a qb in that game against Alabama. It was a 31-0 beating even worse than blackout night. The Alabama defense basically just suffocated Hines and the dawg offense. Game coulda been much worse but Stallings kinda called off the dawgs early pardon the pun.
What is it about Alabama 31 Georgia zero that this score keeps reappearing?
Ray Goof
March 24th, 2011
6:08 pm
pmac,
If the fans were booing as in that Alabama game it was because the whole team took a humiliating spanking and just quit. Wasn’t necessarily Hine’s fault.
Back then Gene Stalling’s defenses at Alabama were perennially no 1- 3 in the nation every year in total defense. Ya can’t convert a wr into a qb in a couple of weeks and expect a miracle against a defense like Alabama.
Throwing Hines into the teeth of a firebreathing Stallings defense with only a week or 2 of practice was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen in football.
Ed (The Original)
March 24th, 2011
6:27 pm
Yeah, Goff was definitely in over his head.
And GeoffDawg, if you’re goal was to creep us out – mission accomplished. Enough to make a “boy” puke.
sogadog
March 24th, 2011
6:35 pm
Didnt Ward set a record as the first Dawg to rush, pass and receive for over a thousand yards in each category during his career?
Yussef
March 24th, 2011
6:36 pm
Just another worthless Dawgtard goon who never came close to graduating and never passed a real college course.
BG
March 24th, 2011
6:37 pm
All his games. Hines Ward is the man!! GO DAWGS!!!
Nolan
March 24th, 2011
7:24 pm
Note:
Bruce Feldman has Crowell, as a dark horse HEISMAN TROPHY candidate.
On Feldman’s Top 10 list.
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/blog?name=feldman_bruce&id=6250663&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2fblog%3fname%3dfeldman_bruce%26id%3d6250663
Bawbie
March 24th, 2011
7:42 pm
Fire Dave Perno!
Nolan
March 24th, 2011
7:47 pm
ESPN had several analysts predict who will win the Heisman in 2014.
Crowell came in as Runner Up.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6062312
I don’t think Georgia fans realize how good Crowell really is.
Dawg89
March 24th, 2011
8:54 pm
Ward is another great player to come through Athens that our fine coaching staff couldn’t use to win a championship.