Hines Ward: State players needn’t go anywhere but UGA
Hines Ward laughs at one of Mike Bobo's shots during Monday's Stadion Classic Celebrity Pro-Am at UGA Golf Course. (Audrey Brees, Jackson-Spalding)
ATHENS — When it comes to preparing yourself for the NFL, there’s no better place to learn the trade than at Georgia.
At least that’s the opinion of Hines Ward, a 14-year NFL veteran, former Super Bowl MVP and UGA grad. Ward was at the UGA Golf Course on Monday to participate in the Celebrity Pro-Am for the Stadion Classic at UGA Nationwide golf tournament.
It’s just one of several trips Ward has made to visit his alma mater since announcing his retirement from professional football in March.
“I always love coming back to Athens and I always want to help the University of Georgia any way I can,” said Ward, who was playing in a group with Mike Bobo and some UGA boosters. “It’s great to play golf here, especially after Bubba [Watson] won The Masters. It’s great to be able to play with guys you played with like Mike Bobo, and it’s always nice see old faces and old coaches and alumni. We’re all Bulldog family.”
Ward, who lives in Sandy Springs, spent a week in Athens this past month shadowing his old teammate Bobo during the Bulldogs’ spring practices. He wanted to see if coaching was something he might like to get into. Ward’s presence created quite a stir among the Bulldog Nation wondering if he was looking to join the staff.
But Ward said Monday he wasn’t looking to unseat any members of the current staff. He just wanted to get an idea of what the college job was like on a daily basis.
“It’s something I’m definitely thinking about,” Ward said of coaching. “I don’t know if I’d be able to make the time commitment, not right now anyway. But it’s definitely something I’d like to do and if was going to do it I’d want to do it at the University of Georgia.”
Ward said he’s recently had some detailed talks with several television networks about a career in broadcasting, which appears to be his most likely next step.
“I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” he said. “I’ve only been out of football a few months, so there’s plenty of time to figure it out. But I have a lot of options and that’s good.”
Ward credited UGA for setting him up for success. A star quarterback at Forest Park High, he chose Georgia over Nebraska and numerous other major offers, graduated in 3 1/2 years and set several UGA records, including becoming the rushing, passing and receiving for more than 1,000 yards each.
Ward said he saw that the Bulldogs had seven players selected in the NFL draft this past weekend. That’s 64 in the Mark Richt era, which actually raises Ward’s ire.
“It drives me crazy when I see some of the best players in Georgia leave the state to go to Alabama or some other place,” Ward said. “There’s just no need in it. I remember when I was in school and Jacquez Green and some other guys went to Florida and won a bunch of games down there. Georgia has been so close for so long and is going to win a championship soon if these guys just stay at home like I did.”
Ward said Georgia has a strong reputation in pro-football circles for producing NFL ready players. The Bulldogs’ 65 draft selections under Richt are the most of any other SEC program over that time period (2001-12).
“The list goes on and on of great players from Georgia who are still producing on a high level,” Ward said. “And there are a lot of up-and-coming players like A.J. Green and [Matthew] Stafford that are the future in our league. So there’s no question Georgia produces great pro football players helps prepare them to be able to go out there and do things on the next level.”
Helping communicate that message is one of the main reasons Ward said he would consider coaching with the Bulldogs. He has learned that NCAA rules prevent him being able to help them out on his own.
“I don’t really know the ins and outs of NCAA rules, but I know just being on the practice field I was a magnet for families and kids who were out there and wanted to come up and talk to me about it,” Ward said. “But I can’t really talk with them or have a conversation with them because of the rules. I’m a living example of what they want. I grew up in a single-parent home with my mom with working three jobs, came to school here and had a productive career, graduated in 3 1/2 years and played in the NFL for 14 years for one team. But I can’t talk to them because of the rules. That’s crazy.”
UGA IN NFL DRAFT
Year—Number— Highlight
2002—8—DE Charles Grant goes in 1st round with 25th pick
2003—7—DL Johnathan Sullivan and OL George Foster each go in 1st
2004—4—TE Ben Watson selected with last pick of 1st round
2005—6—FS Thomas Davis (14) and DE David Pollack (17) go in 1st
2006—7—CB Tim Jennings is first Bulldog selected in 2nd round
2007—5—Defensive ends Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson go in 3rd
2008—4—DE Marcus Howard drafted in 5th round
2009—6—QB Matthew Stafford first overall; TB Knowshon Moreno goes 12th
2010—5—LB Rennie Curran is first Bulldog selected in 3rd round
2011—6—WR A.J. Green is the No. 4 overall pick
2012—7—OL Cordy Glenn is selected early in the second round
Total—*65—Nine first-rounders
* Includes Paul Oliver, a supplemental draftee in 2007
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280 comments Add your comment
valley boy32
May 1st, 2012
10:54 am
this the only state in the south where there’s really no loyalty with the recruites it hurted to see the players we had at peach county marcus robinson go to south carolina, jaquez green go to uf, juquine feazell go to michigan, and terry jolly clemson. man i get tired of it and the guy from grayson and the guy at auburn are no exceptions. i know alabama just have college atheletics but i just dont know why this state cant dominate and why these kids act like uga criptomite.
philSC
May 1st, 2012
10:55 am
BUCKEt—us nor yall will never win an SEC Championship unless LSU and BAMA leave the SEC!!! Ya’ll are so stupid!!!! Do you not remember what happened to yall last year against LSU??? It was as bad as what SCAm Newton did to us the year before!!! THe WEST is BEST
bucket
May 1st, 2012
10:55 am
ARdawg – yeah, GTBob gets under my skin sometimes, also. He did, however, make some good points yesterday and I am hoping he and I can have a truce!
philSC
May 1st, 2012
10:56 am
I was in here last year after the SC games but couldnt find many muttts like yourself ARAWDawg!! Cant believe we beat you with a stoned QB!!! LMFAO!
philSC
May 1st, 2012
10:59 am
SC 24 UGA 13
1eyedJack
May 1st, 2012
11:02 am
“Cant believe we beat you with a stoned QB!!!”
Your QB didn’t beat us doofey. A fake punt by a defensive tackle and a fumble by our QB beat us.
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
11:02 am
valley boy
You know many times the kid is the reason and doesn’t choose UGA are shows interest when they inquire. UGA like any school will target certain kids they feel they need. I’ve banged my head wondering why Richt and co let some kids slip or dropped the ball on some others but, many of these kids want to go to which ever program is winning at the moment. Bama and Saban have been a hot item for recruits for that reason but, it’s cyclical , ebb and flow. Just a few short years ago it was all the East, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and will be again.
bucket
May 1st, 2012
11:02 am
@ philSC – unlike SCU, UGA has won the SEC before and it could happen again. Only time will tell what happens if and when UGA plays in the SECCG. The last time UGA won the SEC they were soundly defeated by LSU the year before and the next year the shoe was on the other foot. However, that wasn’t the point of my post. All I simply said was that if it doesn’t happen I am open to changes @ UGA. With the facilities, money, and recruits in the state of Georgia, UGA fans should be able to expect to contend for and win (some)SEC titles on a regular basis.
rescue dog
May 1st, 2012
11:02 am
Guess Lex is gone. I got the call for “dawg down”. Blog Cop is on his way to investigate.
Blog Cop
May 1st, 2012
11:05 am
is on the scene. Looks like the work of guillotine. Bucket you may want to leave, ARDawg too. He will take advantage of you weak minds also. Clear out.
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
11:08 am
philSC
Sounds like your mother let you stay home from school today. Now get off of her computer and go change your skivvies
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
11:10 am
Enter your comments here
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
11:17 am
Blog cop *muffling laugh* another mental midget that couldn’t cut the muster with the Hiram, Georgia PD. Left to patrol UGA blogs. Life as a troll. Tell me Blog cop, do you ever have anything interesting in your life? Anything at all to get out of bed for?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 1st, 2012
11:21 am
OMG…..even you loyal/reasonable UGA bloggers need to handle Dawginlex, because keep in mind these blogs are read all over the nation, and Dawginlex’s ignorant bantering and temper tantrums are giving UGA fans a bad name.
As far as Van Gorder goes just go back and look at the numbers when Van Gorder coached with CMR. Also, if Martinez lights you up defensively at Auburn, are you willing to man up and admit it, or just make up some other excuses?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 1st, 2012
11:21 am
Dawginlex = Tard
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 1st, 2012
11:25 am
There was a good point made on this site, just win and that shuts up everyone. Totally agree with that statement, but 14-0 and 13-1 is a very tall order, and basically not going to happen with Alabama, USC and LSU out there.
In additon, if you Mizzou and A and M are automatics, then let’s check back in the fall.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 1st, 2012
11:26 am
Anyone who is on the GT blog really needs a life, there is nothing to blog about over there. UGA owns them, bottom line. GT might hit .250 against UGA, but the threat of North Ave wrecking a perfect season always remains for CMR.
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
11:27 am
Van gorder was great at UGA. I figured you would say now that he is at auburn, he would do great things. He did great things at UGA.
Once again you ignore my post about being tired of excuses and wanting to win now
Keep it up though
You are approaching troll HOF status
Never answer a question directly
Only comment to bash UGA or a UGA supporter
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 1st, 2012
11:27 am
Dawglinlex = Idiot
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
11:29 am
We go to the Tech blog to actually talk football and not have to fend off the trolls.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 1st, 2012
11:29 am
Van Gorder is a solid DC, and now you will be looking across the field at him. You should have fired CMR and installed Van Gorder. No one would have heard for Vince Dooley if not for Erk Russeell, who proved it when Erk went to Ga Southern and built a great program. Dooley is over-rated.
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
11:30 am
Keep it up
you are doing great
CEPH
May 1st, 2012
11:32 am
The thing that puzzles me more than anything is that when the prospects are interviewed that the only thing they say about Richt is what a good man he is or he is a good christian man or that he really makes you think he cares about what happens to you, yada,yada,yada. When they talk about the TOP coaches they talk about what great coaches they are , you get to play for national championships, you get g reat preparation for the next level, etc,etc. Am i missing something here because I thought you were going to the college of your choice to learn how to be a better football player not a missionary or a better father etc,etc, (ala Caleb King) Whatever Richt is espousing after leaving UGA apparently isn’t working .
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
11:32 am
We have a solid DC now. Van gorder is not head coach material
Richt won the SEC the year after Van gorder left and you would have fired him?
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
11:33 am
CEPH
Explain the longevity of Richt’s players in the NFL with several making the Pro Bowl
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
11:35 am
gotta go
not going to stay here any longer today
Enjoy TROLLING!
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
11:35 am
17INT
Van Gorder’s success has been non-existent since he left UGA. Frank Broyles award winner at UGA and nothing since. regulated to a DC for Chizik. His next move likely to Div II is forthcoming. There is a reason the DC’s do not stay with Chizik. No, BVG doesn’t scare anyone
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
11:39 am
CEPH
Why do you think it isn’t possible to be both a fine man and a great coach? When Richt is winning, that is exactly what he is, when he is losing he is a lousy coach just like every other losing coach.
Let’s face it, Richt doesn’t promote the win at all cost personna as does the Sabans and Meyers of the world. UGA knew that when they hired him. He is what we’ve got.
vanntastic
May 1st, 2012
11:39 am
Hey Lex, my friend guillotine say’s goodbye. Sorry for the hurt he handed out.
guillotine
May 1st, 2012
11:41 am
hahahahahaha..later losers.
ARdawg
May 1st, 2012
12:05 pm
Hines Ward is a DGD, a quality individual that loves UGA and wants to contribute more than he has already. The haters can’t stand it. Quite amusing really.
Rainbow Tide Pride
May 1st, 2012
12:37 pm
Great Story! UGA is by far the best campus and program in the SEC!
DawginLex
May 1st, 2012
1:07 pm
vanntastic
The only hurt handed out was the truth I stated about you idiot TROLLS
Get some mental help son. counseling of some kind. Stop hanging around on the UGA blogs and lashing out at us. Get anger management therapy
you are delusional also in believing you are a winner when you are the biggest loser around
Get help son. you and guillotine are one in the same. We all know that.
Your act is old. Get help now before it is too late
Gabulldawg47
May 1st, 2012
1:17 pm
Hines makes a great point. Georgia highschool players need to take a closer look at UGA. I know alot of guys from AL. In the schools there, its AU or Bama. They have state pride. That is something Georgia students lack.
Gooddawg
May 1st, 2012
1:33 pm
Does anyone have a clue? THE Dixie Redcoat Band state that all the players drafted and UGA can’t will the SEC. HELLO, did you just arrive back in town from the moon. 909 AJ Green and Stafford were not from Georgia. And how is that relevant??????
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
They need to be taught a lesson about Dawgs owning state and players to keep from messing round with that bums Saban. State pride means playing for Dawgs only.
SEC Football Morning Coffee: Jordan Jefferson, SEC Players Sign Free-Agent Deals | SEC Football
May 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
[...] Former Georgia star wide receiver Hines Ward is busy lobbying for in-state recruits to go to Georgia, writes Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
DawgNole
May 1st, 2012
3:12 pm
CEPH
May 1st, 2012
11:32 am
Whatever Richt is espousing after leaving UGA apparently isn’t working.
__________________________
Hello???
You might want to look into adjusting your meds.
The whole point of the column is how well Richt’s players have done AFTER leaving UGA (i.e., in the NFL). Most on here seem to comprehend that.
RTR22
May 1st, 2012
3:23 pm
As this article points out in a very indirect way, but I have said it before and will say it again. Jawja fb
the greatest under achievers in college fb history. All those players and very little to show for it.
gt4ever
May 1st, 2012
3:26 pm
I like Hines, Class guy… The only problem I have with what he says is this… You already get the best players in Georgia… Your current coach just can’t win the big one…. or even get close…
bucket
May 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
Looks like to me that Blog Cop needs to learn how to spell.
GT
May 1st, 2012
3:47 pm
Hines Ward is now a roll model? Didn’t he just get a DUI like a couple of months ago? And now it is a shame he can’t talk to recruits since he is such a great role model?
Georgia you have role model, Billy Payne, H. Walker, the problem with those guys is they have character and probably won’t break NCAA rules to be associated with a program and talk to recruits.
kingdaddy
May 1st, 2012
5:05 pm
www
You miss your daddy???
TampaGator
May 1st, 2012
6:37 pm
Jaz Green….like so many other Georgia HS players who have become Gators……go to Gainesville, not Athens, because they want to win national titles in the fall…..not just during the summer.
Got to love those easy digs.
kingdaddy
May 1st, 2012
7:21 pm
TampaG.
We recruit Fla pretty good too…
tide roll
May 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
You don’t OFFER them Hines! OT JAMES CARPENTER, Hepzibah, Ga. ALABAMA – 1st round draft pick, Seattle Seahawks, OG Chance Warmack, Atlanta Westlake, ALABAMA – 4 year starter, including TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, JOE HARRIS OG Lithonia, signed by the Evil Genius, South Carolina, OT ROKE WATKINS, Atlanta Creekside, South Carolina, literally pushed Georgia all over the field in the Gamecocoks win over the DAWGS last year, OT JUJUAN JAMES,Atlanta, will be 3 year starter at Tennessee, MAX GARCIA,OT, Norcross!, Uga apparently offered, but Friend and Booboo were beaten out by Will Muschamp and the Gators, OG Joshua OUTLAW, Atlanta MLK, GATORS, This is why you haven’t won in 31 years. Your stockpiling Fla. and Alabama with in-state athletes RATHER than yourselves! It’s idiodic, but Richt simply refises to “Get It”
tide roll
May 1st, 2012
8:16 pm
You don’t offer them Hines. QB CHARLIE WARD, Thomasville, FSU, Heisman winner, led the ‘Noles to a NATIONAL TITLE. QB HOMER JORDAN, Athens, led Clemson to a NATIONAL TITLE, QB SHAWN JONES, Thomasville, led Ga. Tech to a NATIONAL TITLE, QB CAM NEWTON, Atlanta, Auburn, Heisman Winner, led the Tigers to a NATIONAL TITLE. This is embarrasing for most programs, but not UGA. Hell they’re proud of it. They’d rather lose than win if it meant having to endure this “type” playing quarterback. They’re at it again with Marietta’s Anthony Jennings, arguably the best QB in the Country. Easily the most Backward, Backwoods, program in the history of college football. Think long and hard about getting involved with these yo-yos
TampaGator
May 1st, 2012
8:22 pm
@kingdaddy…..
That is because some recruits in Florida read the AJC blogs in the summer and think championships are won every year during those months and practice is in the fall….and sign on with the Dawgs.
Love those easy digs.
TampaGator
May 1st, 2012
8:25 pm
How many days to kickoff? Anyone counting yet?
TampaGator
May 1st, 2012
8:31 pm
I bet, if you Dawg fans could turn the clock back, would suggest that.Caleb King please sign with an out of state team……right? Just released by the Vikes. I hear he is headed back to Georgia to help Hines Ward recruit CORNERBACKS to Georgia.
Got to love these easy digs…..and it isn’t even summer yet.