Despite criticism towards his playing style, there is no doubt that Hines Ward was one of the NFL's brightest shining stars during his 14-year career with the Steelers. With a versatile resume both on and off the field, Ward has made a name for himself as one of the game's best blocking receivers and a prominent advocate for mixed race youth, especially in South Korea. Let's dig into Hines Ward's net worth in 2022.
Hines Ward's net worth in 2022 (Estimate): $18 million
Hines Ward's net worth in 2022 is $18 million. This is according to numerous outlets, including Celebrity Net Worth.
Hines Ward Jr. was born in Seoul, South Korea to African-American father Hines Sr. and Korean mother Kim Younghee. The family the later moved to Georgia. When Ward was around two years old, his parents divorced. Although initially separated, Ward eventually reunited with his mother at seven years old.
The future two-time Super Bowl champion's athletic ability was apparent from an early age. As a quarterback for Forest Park High School in Georgia, Ward won Clayton County Offensive Player of the Year twice. He also showed his skills in baseball, and was even picked by the Florida Marlins in the 1994 MLB Draft's 73rd round.
Ward went on to play in the tailback, quarterback, and wide receiver positions during his time with the University of Georgia Bulldogs. However, he primarily played receiver during his last two years in college. This, despite breaking several Georgia bowl game records, including passing yards, pass attempts, and pass completions when he played quarterback as a sophomore.
The former Bulldog signed his first NFL deal with the Steelers, a three-year, $885,000 contract, shortly after getting drafted. Although he was initially Pittsburgh's fourth receiver on the depth chart, he quickly proved his worth in the years following his rookie season. Ward was able to showcase his versatility during his time in the league, and soon extended his contract with a four-year, $9.5 million deal. His time in the league saw him rack up several awards, including four Pro Bowl, three second-team All-Pro selections, and last but not the least, won Super Bowls XL and XLIII. Most notably, South Korean media took notice of the Korean American receiver after he received MVP honors for his performance in 2005's championship game.
However, his playing style was not to everyone's taste. Though he is recognized as one of the best blocking receivers to ever play in the league, many also criticized his style of blocking, which involved hitting defenders on their blind side. In fact, this once resulted in then rookie linebacker Keith Rivers' broken jaw. Although he was not penalized, the league later instituted the so-called “Hines Ward Rule,” prohibiting such hits. In 2009, Sports Illustrated released a poll that voted Ward as the “dirtiest player in the NFL.” Such criticism did not seem to bother the four-time Pro Bowler. After all, the former wide receiver won the Super Bowl twice and earned a total of $38.9 million throughout his 14-year career with the Steelers. All of this, obviously, helped to add to Hines Ward's net worth in 2022.
Off the field, the 46-year-old receiver-turned-coach has had several business and media ventures, having previously opened bars, hosting his own show, and serving as a studio analyst. Moreover, aside from making several guest appearances, Ward also won Dancing with the Stars' 12th season back in 2011 alongside partner Kym Johnson.
Being Korean American, Ward also became quite a prominent multiracial athlete, especially in his birthplace of Seoul. In 2006, the former Steelers receiver went back to Seoul for the first time since he was a year old. There, he used the spotlight to further a good cause, encouraging reform and meeting with multiracial Korean children. Under the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation, the four-time Pro Bowler donated $1 million to further his advocacy. In 2010, he also became part of President Barack Obama's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Ward now lives in Georgia with wife Lindsey Georgalas and his four children. He has a son, Jaden, from his first marriage, followed by daughters Jordyn, Jia, and Londyn.
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Nowadays, Ward still surrounds himself with the sport, but this time as a coach instead. The 46-year-old initially worked with his former team's wide receivers as an offensive intern back in 2017. Two years later, he officially began coaching with the New York Jets as an offensive assistant. In 2021, Ward became special assistant to the Florida Atlantic University Owls' head coach. After also working with wide receivers coach Joey Thomas, Ward himself was later promoted to the wide receivers coach position.
With this, were you at all stunned by Hines Ward's net worth in 2022?
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