Hines Ward: Why Pittsburgh Steelers Star Should Focus on Football, Not Dancing

Hines Ward is set for a busy off season. While most guys are set to lift weights and continue to condition themselves, Ward will take off down a different avenue. 

Hines Ward will be a contestant in the eleventh season of Dancing with the Star. The show will feature another sports star, albeit a retire one. While there is nothing sinister with his decision to dance his heart out. I do have some reservations. 

Ward is a grown man and he can do as he pleases. I just have some interesting reasons he should reconsider his stint on reality television. 

10. Image

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FORT WORTH, TX - FEBRUARY 02: Defensive end Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers gathers his beard in an elastic hairband while talking with the media on February 2, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Packer

Allow me to tread lightly here. A lot has already been said about Hines Ward and the Steelers image issues his appearance on Dancing with the Stars causes. I am of the mind that any man can do what he wishes. 

I don't think there is some mythical Steelers image that negates anyone from doing what they want. I am here to tell you that it is an issue with Pittsburgh fans. They want their men burly, mean and preferably with beards. 

Normally an appearance by one of the players on a show about dancing would place Ward as a castoff. This is far down on the list as he has put in too much time and won too many games for this franchise already. 

9. Injury

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 19: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lays injured against the Cleveland Browns on November 19, 2006 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Browns 24-20. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Hines Ward has been as stout as any NFL receiver can be. He has side-stepped a major injury which is a huge bit of luck for such a demanding position. 

I don't really think there is a possibility that Hines Ward will be injured on Dancing with the Stars. If he can traverse the death trap that is the NFL season, I think we are looking good for a reality show. Yet, the possibility is there. 

A hypothetical injury during the show would be catastrophic to his image. Steelers fans would murder him for putting the team in jeopardy over a television show, a reality one at that. It is best not to tempt fate. 

8. He Is Old

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Hines Ward will be 35 years old on the eighth of March. That is old, ancient. In football years, it is the equivalent of having as many candles on your birthday cake as Abe Vigoda. 

Ward has been stout for most of his career, but he is entering his twilight years. This is the time where you over order on the Icy Hot and sit in a warm bath until the start of the season. It is no time to start up with exhausting extracurriculars. 

7. He Just Had a Down Year

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to their game against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Alright fine. If the man wants to dance on live television with a beautiful woman, more power to him. He should know that we are going to his performance in 2010.

Ward has a contract that takes him all the way to 2014. Steelers fans are going to want a steady player, instead his number took a slight dip last season. For the first time since 2007, Ward failed to reach 900 yards.

In 2007, he only played in 13 games. This past year he played in all 16 and still had his lowest reception total since 2000. He actually caught more passes his rookie year. I think it is time he takes off the dancing shoes and hits the training ground.  

6. Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco was on Dancing with the Stars. We can learn a few things about football players taking on reality TV while they are playing.

Chad has turned his love of TV into a stint, not just with DWTS, but with his own series. Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch premiered last year on VH-1. The drama he underwent could not have been good for his career. 

Chad is coming off one of his worst seasons ever. Hines Ward does not want to step into whatever mess that Ocho did. The best way to maintain your career is to do the exact opposite of Chad Ochocinco.  

5. Loss of Credibility

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 15: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers blocks Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on November 15, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bengals won 18-12. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Hines Ward is the most fierce receiver in the NFL. If you don't agree with that assessment, you will at least give me this. He is widely considered to be the dirtiest offensive player in the league, a guy that will lay you out with big time blocks. 

Regardless of whether this is true, this is who the man has been in the NFL since he started. Dressing in handsome outfits and swishing around the dance floor will kill that image. At least for me it will. Chad Ochocinco dancing, I can buy that. But I can't buy Hines. 

4. He Could Be a Big Fat Loser

For all of you fans of the show, you will recognize right off who Hines Ward has been paired with. The star Steelers receiver will have Kym Johnson as his partner in dance crime.

Johnson is a two-time winner. She won in season eight, and took home the victory in the Australian version as well. It is safe to say that if this team flames out, it will be Hines Ward's fault.  

3. He Just Lost the Super Bowl

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches an eight yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against Jarrett Bush #24 of the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Tex

Allow me to stoke the fires for a spell. A player that just got to the Super Bowl and fell just short of winning his third should not be out gallivanting in the world of reality television.

Call me old fashioned, but I like my failed athletes to stay home and mope for a few moths with the rest of us. I understand this is the off season. I fully realize that these guys need a break from the reality of football season.

I just don't have to like it.  

2. Trash Talk

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Safety Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers are separated by a referee after a play during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pitts

Hines Ward is not particualrly well-liked around the league. As I stated earlier, he is seen as a dirty player. The last thing any athlete wants to do is lend some fuel to the fire. 

When two players match-up at the line, a chorus of trash talk is flung from the mouths of the competitors. Ward has just given every defensive back an extra tool to keep him off of his game. 

1. Tarnish the Legacy

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Hines Ward is in his final years. He will only be around in a Steelers jersey for a couple more season. After that, it is most likely retirement. The Dancing with the Stars gig has too many pratfalls available to the receiver. 

What if he loses in epic fashion? What if he says something out of character? What if he is seen as a bumbling idiot? A lot can happen on a reality television show as they try to get juicy tidbits, and enhance the story. 

Ward has a legacy with the Steelers to think about. I am already cringing at the thought of seeing Sugar Ray Leonard cut up the dance floor. I can't bear a current star.